Was Jesus really born in December?

[ch'ang]

Most people I encounter seem to believe so but there is much evidence in the Bible to suggest differently. First of all the Bible never really states when Jesus was born, and his birth was not celebrated by the church for the first 300 or so years of Christianity. First of all there are the many references to the shepherds in the fields that came to see Jesus when he was born

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields,keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8)

If Jesus was really born in December the shepherds would have had their flock near their homes where they could be sheltered as was the custom of such times. Also the keeping of flocks out in the night usually ended in September so this pushes Jesus’s birth even farther back. Another piece of evidence comes from this scripture quote

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered... So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called

Bethlehem..., to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son..." (Luke 2:1-7)

Censuses were almost always done during the harvest season of September and October when they would do the least damage to the economy, and also a census taken during the dead of winter would have been unpopular and ineffective. I know that these facts are irrelevant to most people but just felt the need to post when people go around constantly telling me to be happy because it is Jesus’s birthday

 

[Solon]

Jesus's birthday, Church inspired nonsense. They started this in order to hijack the the great pagan festivals held around the time of the Solstice. Like the 12 days of Christmas, is actually the twelve days of the Winter festival, commencing with the Solstice.

Solon

 

[ch'ang]

I don't really think it was to hijack the pagan religions just make them more apt to join because Saturnalia was held in December and so the Catholics decided to make their main Holiday around the same time as the main pagan holidays. I think a similar thing i happening with Hanukah, it really is a minor Jewish holiday (the main holiday is the Yom Kippur and the days of awe) but is starting o become a bigger holiday due because of Christmas

 

[jeffrey]

You are correct. Most likely, September or October.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Does the actual date of birth really matter? My wife's grandmother had no clue what day she was born and they really had no idea exactly how old she was. She picked a date when she got married (needed it for the certificate) and kept it all these years. It's even chiseled on her tomb stone. It didn't seem to affect the quality of her life one whit, and not knowing jesus' precise date of birth does not affect our ability to glorify his name.

 

[ch'ang]

Yeah I hinted at that at the end of my post, in effect it doesn't really matter when he was born. I just wanted to post this because of the constant reminders that "Jesus's birthday is coming" gets somewhat annoying after a while.

 

[Evenstar]

Well said NetDoc.... Does it matter? Its what you make of a date.... and whats in your heart.

 

[Evenstar]

Jesus's birthday, Church inspired nonsense. They started this in order to hijack the the great pagan festivals held around the time of the Solstice. Like the 12 days of Christmas, is actually the twelve days of the Winter festival, commencing with the Solstice.

Why the hate towards Christianity? We know its Pagan. Try giving information we dont know.

 

[greatcalgarian]

Does the actual date of birth really matter? My wife's grandmother had no clue what day she was born and they really had no idea exactly how old she was. She picked a date when she got married (needed it for the certificate) and kept it all these years. It's even chiseled on her tomb stone. It didn't seem to affect the quality of her life one whit, and not knowing jesus' precise date of birth does not affect our ability to glorify his name.

Let us celebrate Jesus birth everyday, just like Alice in Wonderland, 365 days of celebration.

 

[Solon]

Why the hate towards Christianity? We know its Pagan. Try giving information we dont know.

It is always worth stating the obvious, just in case someone isn't aware of the obvious.

Cheers

Solon

 

[syoonsh]

Bible considered as to be the truth book, but it seems little by little, it gets come out of false information starting from how and when that Jesus recieve all those teachings and most importantly, when he was born. I believe Dec.25 is the day when Romans had the most biggest holiday before Jesus, and inorder to make Jesus more power, they put him as on that day without regardless, believing or not, just have faith!.

 

[Ronald]

Not by a longshot! Birthdays and Jesus's birthday are only important to those who need a Man-God to worship instead of the one true God. Those who do not obey the commandments, the commandments forbid any thing on earth, above the earth nor beneath the earth, these are considered idols, a man-god is an idol.
Birthdays, only two birthdays in all of the bible(Not births)but birthdays and someone dies in both of them! kinda says birthdays are not joyous occasions biblically speaking.
Since Yeshua is the "sent one", the "First-born" of all creation, the "Alpha and Omega"/Aleph Tav the beginning and the end, the "Lamb of God" slain from the foundation of the earth.
We who love God keep his Holy Days/Moedim. None of them commerate the the "Birth of the sun."

That being the case I won't be wishing anyone "Seasons Greetings"
www.toolong.com Happy reading.

 

[ChrisP]

Bible considered as to be the truth book, but it seems little by little, it gets come out of false information starting from how and when that Jesus recieve all those teachings and most importantly, when he was born. I believe Dec.25 is the day when Romans had the most biggest holiday before Jesus, and inorder to make Jesus more power, they put him as on that day without regardless, believing or not, just have faith!.

More or less. Christmas was inducted into the Catholic church and based around the Pagan solstice so as to make Catholicism more appealing to pagans. The sheperds who visited jesus in the barn according to the bible were up in the hills watching their flocks by night. From what my uncle the sheep farmer tells me, back in the old days this was only done at certain times of the year, none of which are the middle of winter. . . (spring I think, but I can't remember).

As all the Christians have said, does it really matter? It's a time to get together with your family and show some love. Why lower to a religious battle?

 

[Khale]

No, Jesus was not born in December... originally.

He was born March 14, 0BC (give or take a number) at 3:14 pm. He was 7lbs 4 ounces. However, after the whole death/ressurection business Jesus began to grasp the full strength of his God powers. Before, he had only been able to turn water into wine, heal a few sick people, and sing amazingly well at the occasional gentile night club. These abilities however were mere parlor tricks to post ressurection Jesus. Now, the very threads of existense were in his able hands.

Giddy with excitment, Jesus decided that his first step in toying with the fabric of space time would be to alter his birthdate. He had always had a penchant for December. Why? He couldn't say, but that hadn't ever made it any less fun. So, with a blink and a nod his will was done.

That is why everyone celebrates in December.

 

[Scuba Pete]

Jesus's birthday are only important to those who need a Man-God to worship instead of the one true God.

Mr. legalist,

Why don't you show us that in a scripture?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I read somewhere, that the ancient Church decided to mark Jesus' birthday on Dec. 25th, since it was close to the date of Yule, the people would be in festive mood, they could more closly relate, and coverting would be easier.
I don't think it should matter what day is picked. Know will ever know for sure.

My wife's grandmother had no clue what day she was born and they really had no idea exactly how old she was.

Alot of times I have to stop and think how old I am. I can see myself when I'm 20, trying to buy some Smirnoff, and not being able to, even though I'll be thinking I'm 21. Alot of times, I think I already am 20, sometimes I think 18, and then I do a little math, and figure out, I'm 19.

 

[jonny]

Jesus's birthday, Church inspired nonsense. They started this in order to hijack the the great pagan festivals held around the time of the Solstice. Like the 12 days of Christmas, is actually the twelve days of the Winter festival, commencing with the Solstice.

Solon

For Family Home Evening this week my family read an article which described the conversion from the Pagan festival to Christmas in this way:

The season is steeped in tradition, and its roots stem back in history. The commencement of the holiday lies in pagan worship long before the introduction of Christianity. The god Mithra was worshiped by the ancient Aryans, and this worship gradually spread to India and Persia. Mithra at first was the god of the heavenly light of the bright skies and later in the Roman period was worshiped as the deity of the sun, or the sun god—Sol Invictus Mithra.



In the first century [before] Christ, Pompey carried on conquests along the southern coast of Cilicia, in Asia Minor, and many of the prisoners taken in those military actions were brought captive to Rome. This introduced the pagan worship of Mithra to Rome, for these prisoners spread the religion among the Roman soldiers. The worship became popular, particularly in the ranks of the Roman armies. We find today, in the ruins of the cities of the far-flung Roman Empire, the shrines of Mithra. Mithraism flourished in the Roman world and became the chief competitor of Christianity in the religious beliefs of the people.



A festive season for the worshipers of the sun god took place immediately after the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year—the time when the sun stands still after its annual dip into the Southern Hemisphere. The commencement of its climb from this low point was regarded as the rebirth of Mithra, and the Romans celebrated his birthday on the 25th of December each year. There was great merriment on this holiday—festivals and feastings, gifts given to friends, and the dwelling places decorated with evergreens.



Gradually Christianity gained a victory over Mithraism, which had been its strongest rival, and the festival day celebrating the birth of Mithra was used by the Christians to commemorate the birth of Christ. The pagan worship of the sun, deeply rooted in Roman culture, was replaced by one of the greatest festivals among Christians. Christmas has come down to us as a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing—a day of good cheer and goodwill to men. Although it has an earthly relation and significance, it is divine in content. The ancient Christian celebration has lived continuously through the centuries.

http://library.lds.org/nxt/gateway....5.htm/gospel classics the real christmas.htm

 

[Super Universe]

Also in December it would be too cold to spend the night out in a manger. Likely the birth was in warmer times.

 

[john63]

I personally don't care about trying to figure out the exact date Jesus was born. All I know is I use this time of December to celebrate His birth. I don't think the exact date is important. I celebrate my saviors birth all the time. I choose not to debate exactly when He was born because it serves no redeeming purpose for me. The fact that He was born is cause for great celebration.

 

[greatcalgarian]

Does any one has some documentation that shows when the church or whatever authority decided to have December 25 as Jesus birthday? Any historical text, or Pope's decree or something like that? It is surprising that I could not find any original source, and all are just speculation......????