For those of you that believe in Jesus, I'm wondering--what do you think Jesus and his family did on his birthday?? Was it different, or celebrated differently, than most birthdays of the time??
[[I know this is an odd question; I don't mean it as a trolling question. I'm just curious as to whether anything has ever been determined about Jesus' birthday.]]
2007-10-26 11:59:49 · 40 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They gave him frankinscence (excuse the horrible spelling), gold and mirhh then declared it to be Christmas day =)
2007-10-26 12:02:50 · answer #1 · answered by kinda_crazyish 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
What is very clear is that Jesus' birthday isn't the 25th of December. Some theories surmise that he was born on the 14th of May 6 BC, if you can believe the scriptural translations, or some time in September if you believe other ones.
The reason Christmas is celebrated towards the end of the year is more to do with the pagan feast of the son of Isis which was traditionally a drunken excess (Roman feasts were often held in posh houses where a "vomitarium" was used for guests in excess of wine).
So as unfortunate as this sounds to christians, our current year end festivities have nothing at all to do with the birth of Christ, it is just that western societies have chosen to celebrate it then.
The family & disciples of Jesus would have probably celebrated the standard festivals of the day.
Doctor Rock
2007-10-26 12:20:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only answer would be to study the history of that time to see how Jews treated a birthday.
And his birthday was not on Dec. 25, as the world would have one believe.
As for celebrating his birth, I have found no place in scripture that showed the apostles as doing such. So should we as believers celebrate it? I believe it should be done daily though the giving to the needy. Yet, what I tell those who still want to celebrate the Lord's birth, I tell them not to do so on the day the world celebrates and to not practice the pagan customs that the world has integrated with his birth.
If one is to celebrate the birth of the Son of God, keep the day holy and not practice pagan rituals to celebrate it. I see nothing wrong with a family gathering and a good feast. Keep the day Holy unto the Lord.
I think it is wrong also to call it Christmas. This was started by the catholic church and it means Christ Mass. Do a study on the word mass. The catholic church is responsible for the creation of this day and it's pagan rituals.
Be ye seperate from the world.
2007-10-26 12:12:51 · answer #3 · answered by heiscomingintheclouds 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe Jesus had just a normal childhood as the next child. I believe he ran and played, but I also believe He was a bit smarter than the other children also. Because He did amaze some of the top religious leaders when He was only 12 years old. If people celebrated their children's birthday's in that time and place, then I'm sure Mary and Joseph celebrated Jesus' birthday also.
2007-10-26 12:09:21 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I AM a 'believer' in Jesus and this is a great question. I don't even know if the Jewish people do anything in particular on a person's birthday or not, and the Holy Scriptures don't exactly tell us what they did about Jesus'. In Genesis 40 Pharoah's birthday is mentioned and in Matthew and Mark is mentioned Herod's birthday, so we know birthday's were registered. I know there was scandal and doubt regarding his "legitimate" birth. We know His mother and her betrothed (husband to be) went ahead and made their marriage "legal" after God told him to do that, but their marriage was not consummated until after the baby Jesus was born. They had to go to Bethlehem to register as a married couple due to taxation and census. Then they had to flee when warned by an angel and they went into Egypt to avoid Herod's "slaughter of the innocents". That is why the Bible accurately says he was 'born of a virgin'; she had never known a man intimately. After Jesus' birth, she had other children and Joseph was the father of them. We know the angels came and announced His birth; but because of much controversy I doubt the 'family' wanted to bring it up. I would hope His mother would always do something special for Him or about Him. We know the angels announced it to the shepherds in the field and told them what had happened so ALL of heaven has it recorded; the Star came up in the sky and the astrologers from other Eastern nations recognized what it meant and followed it for over a year to get to Him to bring Him gifts fit for royalty. It was a real and documented event and so important that Herod was "afraid" of the proclaimed "king of the Jews", which was exactly the sign written by Pilate and was tacked over Jesus' head on His cross. I don't think the world or His followers actually know the true exact date of His birth, but it is decided that we will celebrate it on December 25th, and the beauty and wonder and peace of Christmas is honored seemingly by everything in the universe.., even the animals and the hearts of people being generous and loving and rejoicing.
Merry Christmas
2007-10-26 12:28:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hate that they dont say anything about jesus as a child in the bible, aside from his birth and the time everyone left him at the temple and forgot about him when he was 12, there's nothing that says anything about that.
I do wonder though how they celebrated. I think it was a small thing. I think jesus was too humble to have the whole town worship him on his birthday or whatever. I think he sat with his family, and they talked and talked to god, and ate a wonderful meal. nothing too specil, jesus is so humble.
thats such a cool question, i've never thought about it...
:p
2007-10-27 07:21:25 · answer #6 · answered by Jazz Kaluah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Jesus' family wasn't a wealthy one, and I know they tried to raise him as normally as possible. His father was only a carpenter. I'm not sure how they celebrated birthday's during that time, but I'm sure it was very similar to how other young children and their families celebrated. God wanted his son to be followed by the people of the world, if he started out different then he would have been seen as someone that wasn't trust worthy. He was to be seen as someone that would love and be loved by everyone. That is why he was born to a virgin and a carpenter and not a king and queen.
2007-10-26 12:08:07 · answer #7 · answered by pb&j 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is zero historical or factual evidence that Jesus ever existed. Jesus is a made up character, just like "God"
The New Testament was simply plagarized hero worship tales that existed in pagan rituals and folklore in many cultures thousands of years prior. There is no God, just like there is no Santa Claus or Easter Bunny.
And there it's in print so "Saint Peter" can read it can turn me away at the gate for "not believing" What a frickin hoot!
2007-10-27 02:45:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well traditionally, His birthday is celebrated on December 25th, Christmas day. But back in Biblical times they used a different calendar, so His birthday was probably closer to the middle of September. On a personal note, that would suck having your birthday on Christmas. Cheapskate family members will get you gifts and say "This is your birthday slash Christmas gift!"
2007-10-26 12:04:38 · answer #9 · answered by steven_p_ohio 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sure he celebrated it in the same way the other Jewish kids celebrated theirs,,,if Jews celebrate birthdays...His parents knew back then, when his actual birthday was,,,but it doesn't matter that we don't know,,,we are not told to observe his birthday as a Christian.
2007-10-26 12:17:37 · answer #10 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, seeing as how Jesus wasn't born on December 25th, and seeing as how the chances are very good that He was born sometime in September during the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, they probably just celebrated along with observing the Feast.
2007-10-26 12:17:08 · answer #11 · answered by LadyLuck129 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋