Jesus' Actual Birthdate

 Over the holidays, I got an opportunity to hangout with one of our teens. He directed me to read Jeremiah 10 where the Israelites were been warned against practicing some customs found among the Gentiles. One of the customs mentioned is a mirror image of the customs around Christmas. His question, "Is Christmas a Christian event and is it truly the birthdate of Jesus?" My response was long and detailed and later I sat down to write it down and clarify my sayings. I share this with us in the event that we'll find ourselves in such a conversation in the future. Let's be ready to defend what we believe and correct me where I might be off.


Is December 25th Jesus' Actual Birthdate?

Short answer: No. Historically and biblically, December 25th is unlikely to be the date Jesus was born. It was chosen for various reasons, including replacing pagan festivals like Saturnalia in the Roman Empire. But does the Bible give us clues about His actual birthdate? Yes!  


Let’s break it down.

1. Zechariah and the Angel

   Zechariah, a priest from the division of ```Abijah``` , was serving in the temple when the angel Gabriel appeared (Luke 1:5-23). Gabriel announced that despite their old age, Zechariah and Elizabeth would have a son—John (the Baptist). It's important to also note that Abijah was not mentioned just randomly but with an intention which we'll see as we read on.


According to 1 Chronicles 24, the Abijah division was the eighth lot in the priestly rota. This means Zechariah served around late May to early June (based on the Jewish calendar).  


2. Elizabeth Conceives

   After his service, Zechariah returned home, and Elizabeth conceived (Luke 1:23-24). Her pregnancy likely began in late May or early June.  


3. Mary’s Visit

   Six months into Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel visited Mary, announcing she would conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). This would have been around November or December. Mary visited Elizabeth shortly after, and Elizabeth’s baby (John) leapt in her womb (Luke 1:39-45).


4. Jesus is Born

   Nine months later, Mary gave birth to Jesus, placing His birth around late September or early October.


Using the timeline of Zechariah’s priestly service, Elizabeth’s pregnancy, and Mary’s pregnancy, Jesus was likely born 15 months after Zechariah’s temple duty. This is based on the assumption that upon returning home, Zechariah and Elizabeth wasted no time in lying down together and that Marys' encounter with the Angel is exactly six months apart from Zechariah's actionable response to Gods messenger. This then places Jesus’ birth in September or October.


Interestingly, this aligns with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a celebration of God’s presence and provision. Jesus’ birth during this time is deeply symbolic:  

- The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated God "dwelling" with His people in the wilderness.  

- Jesus’ birth was God literally "tabernacling" (dwelling) among us (John 1:14).  

- It was also a season of harvest, and Jesus came to begin a spiritual harvest—the salvation of souls. The timelines is superb!

 

So why do we celebrate Christmas(Christs' Mass) on December 25th? It was likely chosen by the early earth Catholic Church leaders to provide a Christian alternative to pagan festivals like Saturnalia, celebrated around the winter solstice. - This is the same thing that happens on Valentine's day when we try to squeeze in the love of God into our conversations as opposed to talking about romantic love. This might also explain why the season feels more like a holiday than a religious event. Personally, while trying to talk about the birth of Jesus over Christmas, I realize I am speaking to heads more than to hearts. Peoples posture over that season is more of rest, relax and relate with friends and family. - I digraced. Symbolically, Jesus is the "light of the world" (John 8:12), bringing hope during the darkest time of the year.


While we can’t know the exact date of Jesus’ birth, following the clues we see in the text, it was more likely in September or October. But the date isn’t what matters—it’s the event. Christmas is a time to reflect on the miracle of Jesus’ birth: God became man to save us. Whether in December, September, or any other month, that truth remains worth celebrating and we thank the Catholic leaders who established this celebration and got it going globally.


If it would have been possible, religious leaders in our nations could request the government for a "Jesus Holiday" end of September or early October where we purely focus on Jesus birth and not journeys back home. Where the focus will be heavenward and not homeward. This are just ideas that in Kenya, NCCK can help push for. In simple terms Christmas ikue holiday and Jesus day ikue Holy day. All in all, for the saints, we celebrate every time we remember that once we were lost in sin, but Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection saved us from sin and it's penalty.

If you come across this write-up and wish to get it to NCCK in Kenya or any other religious body in your country, you're welcome to do so with my permission.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

When the firstborn dies.

Image
Everything Changes When a Firstborn Dies. Today, I found myself reflecting on ancient Egypt—specifically, during the reign of the Pharaoh who didn’t know Joseph (Exodus 1:8). It was a time of great power, but also of great sorrow, especially when things took a tragic turn. Now, you might know the story, but let's revisit it a bit. Joseph, the shepherd boy and his father’s favorite, found himself in a bit of a pickle. His brothers, tired of his dreams and his fancy coat, sold him off to some merchants. These merchants then sold Joseph as a slave in Egypt. Fast forward a few years, and our boy Joseph had climbed the ranks in Egypt, from slave to leader. He was well-known, respected, and even had a family. Then, a severe drought struck, and Egypt, under Joseph’s brilliant management, became the region’s breadbasket. It’s said that the grain stores were so full that they stopped keeping records (Genesis 41:49). This abundance attracted people from all over, including Joseph’s own...
Read more

Full year BRG - Canonical

Image
Key Tips for Success Consistency Over Perfection: If you miss a day, don’t give up. Use the lighter weekends to catch up. Break It Down: Split the daily chapters into smaller portions (e.g., morning and evening readings). Use Audio Bibles: If you're too tired to read, listen to the chapters while driving, cooking, or relaxing. Journal Your Journey: Note one insight or question per day to deepen understanding and engagement. Accountability Groups: Form a small Bible study group to stay motivated and share reflections. - Week 1 (Jan 1–7):   Mon: Genesis 1–4     Tue: Genesis 5–8     Wed: Genesis 9–12     Thu: Genesis 13–16     Fri: Genesis 17–20     Sat: Genesis 21–22     Sun: Genesis 23–24   - Week 2 (Jan 8–14):   Mon: Genesis 25–28     Tue: Genesis 29–32     Wed: Genesis 33–36     Thu: Genesis 37–40     Fri: Genesis 41–4...
Read more

Praying for the physically ill.

Image
Whenever we have a loved one not feeling well, admitted in hospital or maybe even in a critical condition according to the medics, prayer can become hard. We get to a point of prayer fatigue (I first heard that term from a friend called Sarah) and if things are not handled well, we may end up praying amiss as James describes it. I have highlighted the WE sections to emphasize the value of prayer of unity. However, if you're praying while alone, you still are not alone. Believers pray in the company of other believers seen or unseen. That's why our Lord taught us to pray "our father" and not my father. We're never alone in the place of prayer. May this guide help you pray for yourself, your loved one, friend or a friend to a friend. Pray in the spirit and with understanding. 1. Praying for God's Will to Be Done In Mark 1:40-42, a man with leprosy came to Jesus and said, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Jesus responded, "I am willing....
Read more