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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.
'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
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Christians Together, 01/10/2013
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Annie (Guest) |
25/02/2011 21:15 |
Oh Boy....I shouldn't get into this independence thing! I believe God is a God of Unity, not separation. This island is one land mass, not 3 different islands (england, scotland and wales)I for one will always fly the UNION JACK, I believe that was Gods' original plan for Britain to be Great....united we stand an' all that!
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Martin Lisemore |
26/02/2011 14:53 |
Annie, the Scots, Welsh and Irish (Eire) are different people to the English. Different ethnic origins, different histories, cultures and ways of life. I don't believe we are one people, united under one flag and one governance.
These peoples were united by blood baths and Eire broke free by blood in the twenties. If Scotland or Wales wants by an overwhelming majority to break free, we English must allow it, without the shedding of blood.
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Annie Morris |
01/03/2011 14:49 |
You're telling me they are different! But is that what God expects of us? All that fighting? blood baths as you call it...I think He is grieved by our hatred of one another..separation just makes it worse, and those that want it are driven by hatred...we have such a long way to go before love takes over - how sad is that?
Your emoticon has given me a sore head - was that what you intended? Cheers!
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Martin Lisemore |
01/03/2011 14:59 |
Sorry about the emoticon, I couldn't find one which fitted!
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Penny Lee (Guest) |
01/12/2013 11:12 |
My family, who are Christian, have always celebrated Christmas and are not in the slightest bothered by whether or not it is Jesus' actual birthdate. We have a tree and decorations, exchange presents and have a nice family meal. What matters to us is that we all believe the Biblical line of events and that is what we celebrate. Christmas may not have originated for this purpose but that's what it means to us and it doesn't conflict in any way with our relationship with God. God looks at the heart and unless you were doing something which was in any way at odds with Biblical teaching, then it is silly to get steamed up about trivial matters as it makes Christians a laughing stock for no good reason.
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Scrooge (Guest) |
01/12/2013 11:13 |
As christians we are asked to worship God in Spirit and in truth: John 4/23-24. And there is nothing truthful about ChristMASS - N O T H I N G.
Penny, You and your family might want to reconsider your attitude to Xmas by watching this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-_v6whv3PM
Hoping that this is a blessing to you - and your family.
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Penny Lee |
01/12/2013 11:56 |
But that's just it Scrooge - we're not celebrating the world's idea of it! We're remembering the birth of our dear Saviour and the reason for that birth. The same applies to easter. Chocolate bunnies and all that nonsense are not what we associate with easter - just the fact that Christ died on the cross for our sins and opened up the way to salvation. The world will always distort celebrations of this type and we can either opt of of society altogether or use these times to show a better example. Even the Guides and Scouts are under attack with their oaths being replaced with atheist ones. We cannot escape these types of things so we have to instead find a way to praise God in the midst of them.
I remember reading of someone who was visiting a Hindu country for some reason. He was invited along to a Hindu temple and was faced with the dilemma of what to do when they knelt to pray to their idols. Rather than make a fuss, he knelt too but quietly within himself prayed to God for the others kneeling with him. I have great respect for someone who shows respect for others without compromising his own faith in Christ.
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Scrooge (Guest) |
01/12/2013 19:41 |
Penny,
You state: We're remembering the birth of our dear Saviour and the reason for that birth.
Yes I understand - but why on December 25th ????
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Colin Ford (Guest) |
01/12/2013 20:48 |
Scrooge,
It is a vain thing for any man to seek and know the exact date of the Saviour's birth? A bit like trying to predict His Second Coming?
I ask you, why NOT celebrate the Saviour's birth on 25th December? Granted there is much ignorance and superstition in what is known as the Christmas holiday. Mostly the deception of Santa Claus.
But is not the "earth the Lord's and the fullness thereof"? Psalm 24.1 KJV.
What are we supposed to do on the 25th December? Crawl into a corner?
Many twist Jeremiah 10.3-5 KJV to teach that the prophet is talking about Christmas trees. If you study the context you will see that the Scripture is talking about MAKING idols out of wood. Indeed there is much in the Old Testament that associates groves, green trees, and the like with idolatry/paganism. We might have a turkey at Christmas, we don't send cards or erect a tree (each to their own). Lets not go around condemning others? Let each be persuaded in his own mind, Romans 14.5 KJV? I believe that those people behind that link you posted are 7th Day Hebrew roots teachers?
Remember Jesus Christ came NOT to condemn, but to save? John 3.17 KJV. What about Romans 8.1 KJV, Romans 14.22 KJV, 1 Corinthians 11.34 KJV etc...?
Exchanging of gifts/presents/portions of food, there IS a Biblical precedent; Esther 9.19 KJV, please remember Purim IS a man made feast? Can these things not be done on 25th December? Certainly DON'T lie to your kids about Santa coming down your chimney!
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Penny Lee |
01/12/2013 22:38 |
I don't honestly believe that it matters what date is chosen to celebrate Christ's birth, just that it is celebrated! The same for Easter. Maybe I'll get shot down in flames for saying this, but even in the very scripturally grounded church in which I grew up, the Sunday School Christmas party was wonderful. At least 50 church children and others from the surrounding district were whipped up into a frenzy of excitement as they were told that Santa was getting nearer and was just passing over...... whatever building. By the time the dressed-up deacon arrived on his sleigh, laden with gifts, ringing his bell and shouting ho-ho-ho, we could hardly contain ourselves. Often, that would have been the only gift some of those poor little children would have got, and to get it in a church setting where they also got the true Christmas story, and carol-singing, was the best part of all.
I make no apologies for that and gave my own children a happy and traditional Christmas. Maybe it's no coincidence that they both accepted Christ in their teenage years. I'm afraid I can't say the same for some other church children who were made to feel like oddities due to their parents preventing them from having any part in Christmas festivities. My children learned, like most others that, along with the tooth fairy, Santa wasn't real, didn't come down the chimney and they knew the full relevance of why we celebrated Christmas.
The only time of year which I hated, and still do, is halloween and I would try to tempt them away from wanting to attend halloween parties etc. by organising an alternative activity which was attractive enough to appeal to them instead.
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