There have been speculations in the recent past about the birth date of Jesus. And also, a vast majority of people wonder if it really matters at all. But what is the truth? Do we have any clues, data or facts to arrive at some valid conclusion?
Let us look at history a bit for facts leading this discussion –
a) Jesus’ birth date of 25th December was first claimed way back in 3rd century by Hyppolytus (ca. 170-236).
b) The first calendar that mentioned this date was Philoclian Calendar, representing Roman practice, of the year 336.
c) Cyril of Jerusalem, or St. Cyril of Jerusalem, was a bishop who presided over the See of Jerusalem in the fourth century AD (348-386) had access to the original Roman birth census, which also documented that Jesus was born on the 25th of December.
d) The date became the officially recognized date for Christmas in part because it coincided with the pagan festivals celebrating Saturnalia and the winter solstice.
e) Some argue that the birth occurred in some other season, such as in the fall and not in the winter of December 25th. Followers of this theory claim that the Judean winters were too cold for shepherds to be watching their flocks by night.
f) But some do claim that historical evidence that unblemished lambs for the Temple sacrifice were in fact kept in the fields near Bethlehem during the winter months.
With that said, it is impossible to prove whether or not Jesus was born on December 25. The facts speak for themselves and leave a grey area with clouded information.
But the question we should really ask is, “does it really matter?” For example, we all know about the Prime Minister of our country –his values, his opinions, his passion and his influence are indeed public knowledge. But how many of us do know his birth date. Is the person important or the birth date?
In the same way ultimately it does not matter when Jesus was born but why he was born is more important a question to answer for all us.
If we take the Bible where the important life events of Jesus are exhaustively captured, one thing is very clear. If God really wanted us to know the exact date of our Savior’s birth, He would have certainly told us in the scripture. The Gospel of Luke is one most widely acknowledged gospels written by a Doctor who just didn’t go by hearing or seeing but validating each and every event that Jesus was part of. He in his Gospel inspired by the Holy Spirit of God wrote specific details of the birth of Christ like:
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” [Describes how Baby Jesus will be wrapped in swaddled clothes and where he will be kept in a manger]
Luke 1:12 (ESV)
So what do we get out of Jesus birth?
Luke captured these details because these details are important as they speak of Jesus’s nature and character, (meek and lowly). Surprisingly, he doesn’t mention anything about the precise date of His birth and this shows that it might have no significance whatsoever, which may be why God chose not to have it recorded.
The fact is that He was born, that He came into the world to save us and atone for our sins, (Matthew 1:20, 21), that He was resurrected to eternal life, and that He’s alive today (Luke 24:6-7). That is what Christmas celebration is all about!
Old testament captures the call to celebrate even before the birth of Christ:
Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for behold, I come and I will dwell in your midst, declares the Lord.
Zechariah 2:10 (ESV)
Also when the Angels visited the shepherds to announce Jesus’ birth,
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:10 (ESV)
So it’s not just on the Christmas day should we be celebrating Jesus Christ. But we are called to a lifestyle of celebration – celebrating everyday and not just once every year.
Some other References :
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/12/24/why-is-christmas-on-dec-25-it-wasnt-always/
https://www.crosswalk.com/special-coverage/christmas-and-advent/was-jesus-really-born-on-dec-25.html
Affirm Truth 