When was Jesus Really Born?

We’ve grown up believing Jesus Christ’s birthday is December 25, but the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, the only accounts of Jesus’ birth, don’t give dates. 

Early Christians celebrated March 25 as the day Mary was told she would give birth to a very special baby. This is the date the angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would “conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit to be called Jesus” (Luke 1:26-38). The Church calls this the Annunciation. Nine months later her son was born.

Others believe Christmas is celebrated on December 25 because pagan religions celebrated the birthday of the sun on that date. However, scholars seriously doubt Jesus was born on December 25. The date was chosen by the Church as a substitute for pagan celebrations around the winter solstice.

The Bible says, “And there were shepherds living out in the fields near by keeping watch over their flocks at night” (Luke 2:7-8). Israel in December is cold and rainy, so it is more than likely the shepherds took shelter at night during the winter months. Also, Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem for Emperor Augustus’ census. Since temperatures in Judea often drop below freezing and roads were in poor condition, the census would not be held during winter. 

Astronomer Dave Reneke argued in 2008 that Jesus was born during the summer. He believes Venus and Jupiter were in alignment at that time forming a bright light in the sky. Reneke determined this rare event occurred on June 17, 2 BC. 

For most Christians the actual date of their savior’s birth is irrelevant. They see the big picture. To them it’s more important to know the birth of Jesus happened and the reason why it happened.