The Bible doesn’t mention his exact birthday, and the Nativity story contains conflicting clues. Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. The Jewish month of Chislev (corresponding to November/ December) was a month with cold and rainy weather. In fact, the Bible writer Luke shows that at that time, shepherds were “living out of doors and keeping watch in the night over their flocks” near Bethlehem. [40], Alternately, December 25 may have been selected due to its proximity to the winter solstice because of its symbolic theological significance. However, it does give us sound reason to conclude that his birth did not take place in December. While December 25 was popularized as the date for Christmas, it was not because Jesus was born on that day. Calendar and chronology, Jewish and Christian: biblical, intertestamental and patristic studies, p. 72, An Adult Christ at Christmas: Essays on the Three Biblical Christmas Stories, "Did Herod the 'Great' Really Die in 4 BC? For instance, Encyclopædia Britannica states: “One widespread explanation of the origin of this date is that December 25 was the Christianizing of the dies solis invicti nati (‘day of the birth of the unconquered sun’), a popular holiday in the Roman Empire that celebrated the winter solstice as a symbol of the resurgence of the sun, the casting away of winter and the heralding of the rebirth of spring and summer.”. It is less important that we know when it happened and more important that we know that it happened and why it happened. The Bible writer Ezra shows that Chislev was indeed a month known for cold and rainy weather. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night" (p. 309). Suggested next reading: Why A Charismatic Evangelical Joined The Catholic Church. Of course this time was such that … In 2017 he converted to Catholicism and in 2019 married his French Catholic wife, Bérénice. Some scholars interpret the 6 months to be in line with the Hebrew calendar or the August-September time frame. The Father Trendy Lefty & Pastoral Letter Dilemma, The Truth About Joan of Arc Everyone Needs to Know, 15 Emotional Healing Scriptures for the Wounded, How to Contact a Catholic Therapist for the First Time, 10 Bible Verses for Anxiety to Reclaim Your Peace, A Letter From Hell You Need to Read Right Now, Catholic Convert: Why An Evangelical Became Catholic, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Magnesians, The Epistle of Ignatius to the Smyrnaeans, Here’s the Truth About Church Leadership…, Why A Charismatic Evangelical Joined The Catholic Church, 12 Differences Between Catholics and Christians. ", Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Beliefnet’s Partners, From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners. because of the heavy rain.” Concerning weather conditions at that time of the year, the congregated  people themselves said: “It is the rainy season. Repent and believe the good news!” (Matthew 1:14-15). No, it does not. Some feel that regardless of what the actual date is, Christians should still commemorate Jesus’ birth. This brings to mind King Solomon’s words: “A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.” (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.