Christian Life 

When was Jesus born?

In spite of the carol which sings of 'in the bleak mid-Winter' and in spite of any hard evidence regarding the time of Jesus birth it is highly unlikely that He was born in December.
 
first published 19/12/2010


With the schedule for temple duty fixed in Scripture,  Zechariah – in the line of Abijah (Luke 1:5) and allocated the 8th 2-week period of the Jewish year at the end of Tammuz (1 Chron 24:10) – would have been on temple duty around the end of June/beginning of July. (Nisan is the first month in the Jewish calendar.)

It was then that he received divine revelation concerning his wife Elizabeth becoming pregnant (Luke 1:11-13). Six months into that pregnancy (Luke 1:36) Mary was similarly shown that she was to 'be with child' (Luke 1:31).

It is therefore quite probable that Jesus was born in the Autum rather than at the end of the year.
In fact the shepherds wouldn't have been 'in their fields at night' in mid-Winter, nor would Caesar have been likely to have called a census which involved mass travel at that time of year.
 
Jesus birth small1

'Mouse-over' for the following Scripture references: 1 Chron. 24:10;  Luke 1:5; Luke 1:11-13;  Luke 1:31; Luke 1:36;  Luke 2:7
 
 

Christians Together, 01/10/2013


Feedback:
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Editor 06/01/2011 17:10
Regarding emoticons Andrea asked: "can we have the facility to insert them individually into our message?" Do you mean something other than the present facility whereby a message writer clicks on the 'Icon' button (on the left of the message panel) and then selects whichever emoticon is appropriate?
Annie (Guest) 07/01/2011 11:08
Well, now I know what I'm getting into.It seems good to me - a whole new bunch of friends - looks like I'm gonna spend even more time at the computer than ever. And yes I know what Andrea means - I'd like to sprinkle emoticons into my sentences here just like I do when emailing some-one (promise not to be silly with it!)
Andrea M 07/01/2011 11:37
Colin,

most forums have the facility to insert emoticons at any point in your message. Say, you wanted to make sure that readers knew your comments were tongue-in-cheek, then you may want to insert a 'wink' or 'smiley face' directly after your comment. Or, if annoyed at something an 'angry' face helps reinforce it. It does help put emotion into your message and make the meaning a bit clearer. A facility to 'edit' your own posts would be really helpful as it is so annoying to see words misspelt or missed out. It is also helpful to be able to highlight text in another colour or make it bold or italic.
Annie (Guest) 12/01/2011 11:08
You are so right Andrea - hence my wish for a spell checker - I so often realise I've missed a letter or misplaced the i before e thing. I'm normally a good speller but need the checker when something doesn't "look right"......can you help us Colin?
Editor 12/01/2011 12:17
Re 'emoticons' see message 06/01/11. As I'm writing this message (into the message box) I have - to the left of the message box - an Emoticon icon (see icon attached to this message) which I can click and chose from the list presented.
If you can't see the icon symbol to which I refer then I'm not sure what is happening. (And perhaps you can e-mail me directly to try and sort it out.)

I will submit your other requests (editing and spell-checking) to the software developers, but cannot promise that they will respond.

If you really do want to change a message then 'report' your first message (using the 'red flag' - which is only visible to logged-in users). This will delete your original message and you can write a new one (having first taken a copy of the message that you want to change).

However, I would put in plea to use the red flag sparingly as it creates work for me dealing with 'flagged' messages.

Hope all this helps.
Andrea M 12/01/2011 16:47
Hi Colin,

We do have the group of message icons to which you refer. However, this only gives the option of one icon at the top of your message. The ones to which Annie and I refer are individual icons which can be inserted throughout the message as appropriate. There is usually a toolbar at the top of the reply box which gives options such as making text bold, italic or changing its colour as well as being able to insert hyperlinks, images or emoticons.

This is an example of such a reply box:

http://img40.imagefra.me/i51c/balemeanach/lywo_a94_u4aav.jpg
Editor 12/01/2011 17:46
Thanks Andrea. I will forward this to the software developers.
Brian Ross 20/01/2011 23:12
Colin - you're a wonderful brother, and I am certain that I am not alone in appreciating all that you do on, and for, the CT site. However (!!) when checking out the possibilities for text-inserted emoticons, and text enhancements, could you please consider a 'like' facility. There are a number of occasions on which I don't have either the time or the inclination to add a full response, but would like to show my support for the expressed viewpoint of someone else. Such a button would satisfy my personal desire!
Of course, others might be concerned that we could end up in a competitive situation where "I got more likes than *** this time" could become the norm. However, I am making the assumption that contributors to these fora are a reasonably mature bunch of folk!
On another issue, that hasn't had time to appear on this site, I have sent a letter to The Herald re the reported pronouncements of Baroness Warsi. In case it isn't published, it is also on my blog at www.crazyrev.blogspot.com
Belated, but no less sincere, good wishes to each and all for a blessed and peaceful new year. Remember, on Desert Island Discs, Alex Salmond made a true statement when, in answer to a question from the presenter, he said that "Scottish independence is nearer now than it has ever been. I don't know if, or when, such a state of affairs will occur, but it's certainly nearer than it was last year. Praise the Lord, so is the Rapture!!!!! (and this is where I want to place a really BIG smiley face!!).
Martin Lisemore 20/01/2011 23:30
Go for independence, it's yours by right.

And that from a southerner!
Brian Ross 21/01/2011 09:56
Thanks, Martin!

So is the Rapture (okay, a right won by grace!)- and it's going to be sooooo much more exciting!!!

Blessings
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Christians Together in the Highlands and Islands > Christian Life > When was Jesus born?