2006-12-23 05:02:46 · 11 answers · asked by billy_spell 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Was Jesus Born in December?
The Bible does not tell us when Jesus was born. However, it does give us sound reason to conclude that his birth did not take place in December.
Consider the weather conditions at that time of the year in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. The Jewish month of Chislev (corresponding to November/December) was a month with cold and rainy weather. The month after that was Tebeth (December/January). It saw the lowest temperatures of the year, with occasional snows in the highlands. Let us see what the Bible tells us about the climate of that region.
The Bible writer Ezra shows that Chislev was indeed a month known for cold and rainy weather. After stating that a crowd had gathered in Jerusalem "in the ninth month [Chislev] on the twentieth day of the month," Ezra reports that people were "shivering...on account of the showers of rain." Concerning weather conditions at that time of the year, the congregated people themselves said: "It is the season of showers of rain,and it is not possible to stand outside." (Ezra 10:9, 13; Jeremiah 36:22) No wonder shepherds living in that part of the world made sure that they and their flocks were no longer out of doors at night when December came around!
The Bible reports, however, that shepherds were in the fields tending their flocks on the night of Jesus' birth. In fact, the Bible writer Luke shows that at the time, shepherds were "living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks" near Bethlehem. (Luke 2:8-12) Notice that the shepherds were actually living out doors, not just strolling outside during the day. They had their fields at night. Does that description of outdoor living fit the chilly and rainy weather conditions of Bethlehem in December? No, it does not. So the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth indicate that he was not born in December.*
*For more information, see pages 176-9 of Reasoning From the Scriptures, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.
God's word tells us precisely when Jesus died, but it gives little direct indication as to when he was born. This brings to mind King Solomon's words: "A name is better than good oil, and the day of death than the day of one's being born." (Ecclesiastes 7:1) It is not surprising, then, that the Bible provides many details about Jesus' ministry and death but few details about the time of his Birth.
2006-12-25 09:14:26 · answer #1 · answered by ºAvilaº 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not only does the celebration fail to honor the Son of God but the date is all wrong. Referring to the Bible record, Jesus could show that he was not born in December at all.
How so? Because the Bible shows he was born on or about October 1, 2 B.C., that he came as Messiah A.D. 29 and was put to death three and a half years later, or about April 1, A.D. 33. The account of the “seventy weeks’” prophecy at Daniel 9:24-27 and Luke 3:1, 23 and other scriptures testify to this.
But Jesus could point out still more: that there is a marked contrast in weather in Palestine between October and December. When Jesus was born, the Scriptures show, the shepherds were out at night: “There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. ‘And this is a sign for you: you will find an infant bound in cloth bands and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:8, 12, NW) Shepherds would not have their flocks out in the open fields
in December but they would in October. The December date is all wrong.
Has Christmas lost Christ? See this Bible-Based Article: http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/1998/12/15/article_01.htm
2006-12-23 05:16:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
John the Baptist also helps us determine that December 25 is not the birth of Jesus. Elizabeth, John's mother, was a cousin of Mary. John began his ministry in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. The minimum age for the ministry was 30. As Augustus died on August 19, A.D. 14, that was the accession year for Tiberius. If John was born on April 19-20, 2 B.C., his 30th birthday would have been April 19-20, A.D. 29, or the 15th year of Tiberius. This seems to confirm the 2 B.C. date, and, since John was 5 months older, this also confirms an autumn birth date for Jesus.
2006-12-23 05:16:17 · answer #3 · answered by Alicia S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all it was either 4 or 5 BC. One of the Caesar's got the calender wrong.
And it was either in the spring or fall. The Shepard's would not have been out in December. Even in Israel it's cold then and wet.
Some say April 6 some say Fall.
As long as he came and died for me!! Woo hoo!
2006-12-23 05:16:51 · answer #4 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No one knows, some say he was probably born around August.
2006-12-23 05:15:07 · answer #5 · answered by cynical 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No one knows exactly, but one theory has him born on April 17th 6 bc.
2006-12-23 05:05:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
well it was not 25/12 as most people think, i feel it may off been in Sept sometime i think, no one knows for sure
2006-12-23 05:06:53 · answer #7 · answered by ral 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Monday evening. About 6.00pm.
2006-12-23 05:05:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
12/25/
2006-12-23 05:05:22 · answer #9 · answered by baddog 4 · 0⤊ 4⤋
2006 years ago roughly.
2006-12-23 05:06:38 · answer #10 · answered by Linda 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋