The exact date of Jesus’ birth is not stated in the Bible. However, there are some clues that point to the possibility that he was born in September rather than December.
The Shepherds’ Fields
In Luke 2:8, it is mentioned that shepherds were staying out in the fields near Bethlehem, keeping watch over their flocks at night. This would likely not have occurred in Judea in December, when the weather is cold. Meteorologists have looked at historical records and determined that the temperatures in December would often drop below freezing at night, making it unlikely the shepherds would be outside with their flocks.
In contrast, September nights would have been mild enough for shepherds to be outdoors. The rainy season in Judea ends in March, so sheep that have grazed in the hillsides all summer would be brought in from the fields at night starting in October or November. September is one of the few months when shepherds could have been watching their flocks outside at night.
Jesus’ Conception
Luke 1:5 mentions that Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest in the division of Abijah. 1 Chronicles 24:10 states this was the eighth priestly division. Zechariah’s wife Elizabeth became pregnant with John after Zechariah’s time of service was completed, and in Luke 1:26 it states that the angel Gabriel was sent to Mary in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.
If Zechariah was serving in June, and Elizabeth became pregnant soon after he finished, Jesus could have been conceived in December. Add nine months to that, and his birth would have occurred in September. However, this depends on when the divisions of priests actually served during the year in that time period.
The Census
Luke 2:1-5 says Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for a census. It is unlikely the Romans would have chosen to take a census in winter, when temperatures were often freezing and roads were poor for traveling. Taking a census during more pleasant fall weather makes much more sense logistically.
In addition, it would be impractical for shepherds to be keeping watch over their flocks by night in the hills around Bethlehem during the winter months (Luke 2:8). Late fall or early spring would be much more practical times for a census requiring significant travel.
Fall Feasts
In the fall, there were three major Jewish feasts – Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles. John 1:14 says that Jesus “tabernacled” among his people, meaning he dwelt among men by becoming flesh. If he was born during the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates God dwelling with his people, it would hold symbolic meaning.
Some scholars have suggested John the Baptist may have been conceived near the date of Passover in the spring, and then born nine months later around the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, in December. This would fit with John the Baptist being a forerunner who “came to bear witness about the light” (John 1:8). If John was born in December, adding six months for Mary’s pregnancy would place Jesus’ birth in September.
Early Church History
In the eastern Church, January 6 was observed as both the date of Jesus’ birth and his baptism. This could point to the possibility that he was actually born in September, given the facts that he started his ministry at about 30 years of age (Luke 3:23) and his ministry lasted 3-3.5 years. Backdating from his death in April AD 33 would put his birth in the fall of 2 or 3 BC.
The earliest mention of December 25 as Christmas is not until the 4th century AD. December 25 was also the date of a pagan festival honoring the sun god, so some scholars believe marking Christmas on that date was originally an effort to replace the pagan holiday with the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
Sheep Grazing Cycles
Another clue about the timing of Jesus’ birth comes from understanding the grazing cycle of sheep in Bethlehem. Sheep were brought in from the fields and corralled at night from early spring to late fall. In winter, the sheep grazed closer to Bethlehem.
So for the shepherds to be watching the flock close to town in winter indicates Jesus was not born at that time. The sheep would have been brought in at night and the shepherds would likely have gone home to their houses. But in September, the sheep were still grazing in the fields by day and brought in at night when the weather was still mild.
If Jesus was born in September, it could also fit with Gabriel’s announcement to Mary coming in late March or early April, placing Jesus’ conception in late December. Nine months after that would be September.
The Wise Men
Some have concluded that the wise men or magi arrived the night Jesus was born based on the wording of Matthew 2:1 that they arrived after Jesus was born. However, Matthew 2:11 states they arrived at a “house” not a stable. Jesus would have been anywhere from one month to two years old at this later visit.
Traveling the long distance from Persia or Babylon in a large caravan of people would have also taken months to arrive. Rather than arriving the night he was born, the magi more likely came later when Jesus was a young child living in a house.
Tabernacles Theory
One interesting theory looks at the significance of the Feast of Tabernacles and ties it together with several clues about Jesus’ birth. In particular, the tabernacles feast celebrates God’s presence dwelling among his people.
John 1:14 states that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The Greek word for “dwelt” here is related to the word for tabernacle. This passage could be interpreted to mean that God “tabernacled” among men by becoming flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
Some scholars find it intriguing that Jesus, whom the New Testament identifies as God in the flesh, would be born during the Feast of Tabernacles, which celebrates God’s presence dwelling with his people. The bible is full of examples of the significance of symbolic timing.
In addition, the fact that tabernacles lasts seven days could help explain why Mary stayed about a week in Bethlehem until Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:6). The crowded conditions mentioned in verse 7 also align with people descending on Jerusalem and surrounding towns during a major religious festival.
While Scripture does not definitively state whether there is spiritual significance to the timing of Jesus’ birth, a fall date during the Feast of Tabernacles could carry deep symbolism.
December 25th
There is no biblical evidence that directly supports December 25 as the date of Jesus’ birth. In fact, the date is not mentioned anywhere in Scripture. The decision to celebrate Christmas on December 25 was made later, likely by the early Roman Catholic Church sometime in the 4th century.
One Theory holds that December 25 was chosen because it coincided with pagan festivals celebrating the winter solstice and the Roman sun god. The church may have wanted to replace these pagan holidays with the celebration of the birth of Jesus.
December 25 also marked a Roman holiday Dies Natalis Solis Invicti, or “Birthday of the Unconquered Sun.” When the church adopted this date for Christmas, they were essentially replacing worship of the sun with worship of the Son.
However, the exact reasoning behind choosing December 25 is not known. The date does not correlate with any events mentioned in Scripture regarding the timing of Jesus’ birth. Most evidence points to the fall based on shepherds in the fields, the timing of the census, and the conception and birth of John the Baptist.
Why Does It Matter?
While the exact day or month of Jesus’ birth is unknown, most biblical evidence favors a date in September rather than December. However, the date itself is far less important than the events being commemorated.
On one hand, there is value in investigating scriptural clues that point to the timing of Jesus’ birth. But on the other hand, celebrating the incarnation on a specific day not mentioned in the Bible can detract from the meaning.
Perhaps more important than when it happened is that it happened – God became man and dwelt among us, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies. The timing pales in comparison to the monumental events surrounding the birth of the long-awaited Messiah.
The date of December 25 has taken on its own significance over centuries of Christmas celebrations. Changing it could cause unnecessary division over something not clearly commanded in scripture. But teaching the origins allows freedom in conscience on whether to observe it.
In the end, God cares more about why we celebrate (to honor Christ) than when we celebrate. The biblical evidence offers food for thought, but September versus December makes little difference in light of the birth of our Savior.