Many around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. December 25 is called Christmas. But what about the day itself? Was Jesus born on December 25? The short answer is: not really. The Bible does not inform us about the exact date. Historians and biblical scholars have offered clues to find out, but there is still no agreement. Let us, then, gather what we know and what we can and should guess about the true date of Jesus’ birth, and find an answer to the question when was Jesus actually born?
What Is Written In The Bible?
The Bible tells us of the birth of Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. They say that His birth took place in Bethlehem while Herod was king, which gives us our first clue. King Herod died around 4 B.C., which must mean that Jesus was born before that time.
The Gospel of Luke says that there were shepherds out in the fields at night during the birth of Jesus, which has made some people think that there might have been a late spring or an early fall birth. Winter would certainly be too cold for shepherds to watch over flocks in the open fields by then, some would say. Others would argue that the weather in that region can be mild in wintertime anyway, thus making it possible.
Why Is It That We Celebrate On December 25th?
If Jesus was probably not born in winter, why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th, and when was Jesus actually born?
Initially, the early Christians did not keep a feast in honor of the birthday of Jesus. Indeed, for two or three centuries after Jesus, there was no special day that served as a reference point in the year for His birth. Around 300 A.D., Christian church leaders started considering a day to commemorate Jesus’ birth, and they chose December 25, though not for thinking that it was originally His birthday.
There were already several large festivals at the end of December in the Roman Empire. One of them was called Saturnalia open week filled with parties and gifts. The other was for the commemoration of the Winter Solstice, which was the shortest day of the year. On this day, the people rejoiced for what they felt would be a rebirth of the sun because days started getting longer from then onwards.
Very likely, early Christians adopted December 25th to give people a new reason for celebrating the holy one. Instead of the sun, they celebrated the Son of God. Again, some Christians believe that He was conceived on the 25th of March. Count in nine months and you get December 25 as his nativity.
When Was Jesus Actually Born: Other Theories On The Actual Date
Many scholars and Bible readers entertain the idea of Jesus being born in a different season. Here are some other theories:
1. Spring Birth
Some believe that Jesus was born in the spring. They argue that Roman censuses were held in the springtime, which was a time when everybody had to travel to their hometown for a census. This is the reason why Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem. Hence, for many experts, spring fits the bill better, considering that winter would have been a difficult season to travel.
2. Fall Birth
Another school of thought puts forth a rather intriguing proposition: their idea is that Jesus was born in the fall, around the time of Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles; during this joyous time, the Jewish people recall the period that they lived in tents in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. Some Christians think it is significant that Christ was born when God “dwelt among his people” after His people had been in the wilderness.
3. Star of Bethlehem and Astronomy
According to the Bible, wise men, or magi, followed a star in their search for Jesus. Some scientists and historians have tried to reconstruct what that star was and believe it could be some form of a bright planet or a group of planets aligning in the sky at some time around 6 or 7 B.C., roughly corresponding with the presumed birth of Jesus.
Does The Exact Date Matter?
By now, one thing is sure: no one can ascertain when Jesus might have been born. There isn’t enough solid proof for any one date to be selected if we talk about when was Jesus actually born.
Many Christians say that the date itself is unimportant. What matters is what the birth of Jesus means. According to Christians, Jesus came into the world as God’s gift of hope, love, peace, and forgiveness to all. Therefore, Jesus’s birth symbolizes God’s love toward all of humanity.
Christmas is more than a date for Christians; it is about celebrating that God became human and came to live with us. No matter if Jesus was born in spring, fall, or winter, this birth stands as the most important event in history for countless people.
Conclusion
Although we do not know the day or month exactly when was Jesus actually born. His birth has changed the world. The birth itself in winter, spring, or fall is less important than what his birth means to people. According to the faith of Christians, Jesus was not just a baby born in Bethlehem, but the Son of God who came to bring hope, peace, and salvation to the world.
December 25th has become the designated day in the year for celebrating this great gift from God. While it may not be the actual birthday of Jesus, it is nevertheless the day when humanity remembers its affections as well as the light that Jesus brought to Earth. So, even as historians and scholars are painstakingly piecing together, as we may never get to the primary source of certain answers to whys, one thing is clear: his birth is worth remembering, not because it bears a date, but because of its meaning. Whether you do it on December 25th or even just take a moment to meditate, His birth is an enduring reminder of love, kindness, and all that hope the faith brings.
