When was Christ Born?

[Salty]

Could it have been in June? :applause:

(if so then the Aussies would have a white Christmas):thumbs:

 

[Palatka51]

I have always felt that the December date was wrong. However I do believe that the Wise Men came from the east. Then that star would have been in the western sky.

"This is not an attempt to decry religion. It's really backing it up as it shows there really was a bright object appearing in the East at the right time.

 

[padredurand]

When was He born? How about at just the right time?

But when the fullness of the time came,
God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the Law,

Galatians 4:4 NASB
​

The exact date is not important to me. As Christians we observe ordinances that recognize His death and resurrection - none that acknowledge His birth. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." I'm okay with that. I don't need an additional qualifying statement such as, "The Word became flesh on December 25th (or June 8th or whatever date) and dwelt among us...."

The date of His birth, in no way, diminishes His deity. Whether born in April or Autumn, He is the Christ.​

 

[carpro]

My guess would be sometime in the spring.

When we celebrate His birth doesn't matter, as long as we do.

Every day would work just fine. :thumbs:

 

[annsni]

When was He born? How about at just the right time?

But when the fullness of the time came,
God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the Law,

Galatians 4:4 NASB
​

The exact date is not important to me. As Christians we observe ordinances that recognize His death and resurrection - none that acknowledge His birth. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." I'm okay with that. I don't need an additional qualifying statement such as, "The Word became flesh on December 25th (or June 8th or whatever date) and dwelt among us...."

The date of His birth, in no way, diminishes His deity. Whether born in April or Autumn, He is the Christ.​

Amen and amen!! What does it matter? Not one bit. Jesus was born as a baby. He came in full humanity. THAT is what matters. Not when.

 

[EdSutton]

When was He born? How about at just the right time?

But when the fullness of the time came,
God sent forth His Son,
born of a woman, born under the Law,

Galatians 4:4 NASB
​

The exact date is not important to me. As Christians we observe ordinances that recognize His death and resurrection - none that acknowledge His birth. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." I'm okay with that. I don't need an additional qualifying statement such as, "The Word became flesh on December 25th (or June 8th or whatever date) and dwelt among us...."

The date of His birth, in no way, diminishes His deity. Whether born in April or Autumn, He is the Christ.​

Good answer. :thumbs:

I'd say -

" 'Bout 2000 years ago!"

if merely asked in passing.

I would give a more detailed answer, should someone legitimately request some more detail, for a legit reason.

Ed

 

[windcatcher]

I've wondered about the Jewish Feast as being associated with essential events concerning the advent, the crucifixtion and ressurrection, and possibly other events associated with God's plan of salvation:

Take, for example, shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping their sheep: It was a season where the weather was warm enough to shelter in place in pasture lands which are actively growing, water is plentiful.... streams are filled by the fall of rains or the run-offs of snow and ice: Chances are, with the precarious cooperation which existed with the secular government of Rome, and the Religious leadership in Israel, the census or tax order occurred during a time when it was warm enough to travel... and travel was more likelly at feast times when people return to homes and family. What about the feast of tents/ Tabernacles/ booths? Or the feast of atonement? Don't both of these come in late summer or autumn? The observance of the star by the wise men had to occurr early enough in advance for them to pack and prepare for travel, or appeared at the birth of the Christ child, and remained a beacon, while the blessed family tarried in Bethlehem for a while, during which time the wise men were traveling. The inn in Bethlehem had a manger or shelter for livestock: In the winter, it is likely used by the owner of the inn or some locals to shelter their flocks against the weather; but in a warm season, the manger is vacant except perhaps for protecting the livestock of travelers, thus there's room remaining there to offer shelter to travelers in distress.

All of this is conjecture as I'm not a scholar of such things.

 

[Amy.G]

I've wondered about the Jewish Feast as being associated with essential events concerning the advent, the crucifixtion and ressurrection, and possibly other events associated with God's plan of salvation:

Take, for example, shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping their sheep: It was a season where the weather was warm enough to shelter in place in pasture lands which are actively growing, water is plentiful.... streams are filled by the fall of rains or the run-offs of snow and ice: Chances are, with the precarious cooperation which existed with the secular government of Rome, and the Religious leadership in Israel, the census or tax order occurred during a time when it was warm enough to travel... and travel was more likelly at feast times when people return to homes and family. What about the feast of tents/ Tabernacles/ booths? Or the feast of atonement? Don't both of these come in late summer or autumn? The observance of the star by the wise men had to occurr early enough in advance for them to pack and prepare for travel, or appeared at the birth of the Christ child, and remained a beacon, while the blessed family tarried in Bethlehem for a while, during which time the wise men were traveling. The inn in Bethlehem had a manger or shelter for livestock: In the winter, it is likely used by the owner of the inn or some locals to shelter their flocks against the weather; but in a warm season, the manger is vacant except perhaps for protecting the livestock of travelers, thus there's room remaining there to offer shelter to travelers in distress.

All of this is conjecture as I'm not a scholar of such things.

I agree with you. :thumbs:

 

[Enoch]

When was Christ Born?

September.

 

[billreber]

padredurand said:

The exact date is not important to me. As Christians we observe ordinances that recognize His death and resurrection - none that acknowledge His birth.

Exactly what I wanted to say! In fact, this time of year, I always wish to reinforce that the Resurrection is much more important, stating that if not for the Resurrection, we would not remember the birth!

The grade-schoolers I work with are starting to realize that Christmas (while good to remember) is dwarfed by Easter/Resurrection Sunday!

Bill :godisgood:

 

[Tom Butler]

Would the time of the census ordered by Caesar Augustus shed any light? How about the dates when Quirinius (Cyrenius) was governor of Syria?

I know, the question is about the month, not the year. Just wondered if those two or other historical events would give us a clue.

 

[Jim1999]

If it was really that important, yes, those dates would help. There is, however, even questions about the so-called three wisemen who followed the star. That even may have been two years after the birth of Christ, depending on what that star was. There is also some question about how many wisemen there were. Then there is also the actual dating of that time period.

Perhaps God planned this way just so we woldn't worship the day rather than the person of the event; Jesus.

Cheers,

Jim

 

[Salty]

Perhaps God planned this way just so we woldn't worship the day rather than the person of the event; Jesus.
Jim

Excellent insight :thumbs:

 

[sag38]

When was Christ born? I don't know except to say that He was born exactly according to God's plan and purpose. He was born exactly when was supposed to be born. That's good enough for me. He was born, He lived, He died on the cross, He was buried in a grave, He rose again on the third day, and He is now by the right hand of the Father awaiting the day of His promised return. Now that's an important day that I'm looking forward to. And, according to scripture there will be no arguing as to the day and time when it happens.

 

[Ed Edwards]

Jesus was born 25 Dec 0001BC

Luke 2:21 (KJV1611 Edition, e-sword edition):
And when eight dayes were accomplished for the circumcising of the childe, his name was called Iesus, which was so named of the Angel before he was conceiued in the wombe.

Gen 21:4 (KJV1611 Edition, e-sword edition):
And Abraham circumcised his sonne Isaac, being eight dayes old, as God had commanded him.

To make a long story short, on the eighth day of life a male child was to be circumcised marking him as a real person - sort of a spiritual birth. Now the Israeli didn't count from zero like we American computer nerds count, but from 1.

IMHO Jesus was (for the above reason) born on 25 Dec 0001BC.

First Day - 25 Dec 0001BC
Second Day - 26 Dec 0001BC
Third Day - 27 Dec 0001BC
Fourth Day - 28 Dec 0001BC
Fifth Day - 29 Dec 0001BC
Sixth Day - 30 Dec 0001BC
Seventh Day - 31 Dec 0001BC
Eighth Day - 01 Jan AD 0001

Jesus was Circumsized on the first day of the era named for Him:
01 Jan AD 0001 where AD stands for the Latin 'Anno Domini'; 'anno' referring to 'year' or 'era' and 'Domini' referring to The Lord -- 'anno Domini' means 'Year of our Lord'.

As for the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night, I've studied that the night temperature near Bethlehem at the End of December for over 21 years now. some 17 of the 21 years the night temperature was over 55-degrees-F. God gave Sheep a warm wool coat (don't have one of those, too expensive) and at the time there was no Motel 6 for sheep. Like in Oklahoma, in the winter when the wind gets above 30MPH from the south west (and the day temp is above 65-degrees-F), then in two days a cold front will come in from the north and things will be real cold for 4 or 5 days.

Check the temperature in Jerusalem next Dec24th about midnight (the low for 25 Dec 2008) and see what it is - it will be warmer than you guys in Alberta, Canada

 

[saturneptune]

I've wondered about the Jewish Feast as being associated with essential events concerning the advent, the crucifixtion and ressurrection, and possibly other events associated with God's plan of salvation:

Take, for example, shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping their sheep: It was a season where the weather was warm enough to shelter in place in pasture lands which are actively growing, water is plentiful.... streams are filled by the fall of rains or the run-offs of snow and ice: Chances are, with the precarious cooperation which existed with the secular government of Rome, and the Religious leadership in Israel, the census or tax order occurred during a time when it was warm enough to travel... and travel was more likelly at feast times when people return to homes and family. What about the feast of tents/ Tabernacles/ booths? Or the feast of atonement? Don't both of these come in late summer or autumn? The observance of the star by the wise men had to occurr early enough in advance for them to pack and prepare for travel, or appeared at the birth of the Christ child, and remained a beacon, while the blessed family tarried in Bethlehem for a while, during which time the wise men were traveling. The inn in Bethlehem had a manger or shelter for livestock: In the winter, it is likely used by the owner of the inn or some locals to shelter their flocks against the weather; but in a warm season, the manger is vacant except perhaps for protecting the livestock of travelers, thus there's room remaining there to offer shelter to travelers in distress.

All of this is conjecture as I'm not a scholar of such things.

Here is a theory I have heard, and have no idea if it is true or not. In Luke 1:5, a priest named Zacharias in the house of Abijah was on duty. Some records indicate (not sure where I saw this) it was June 25-26 or around then. John the Baptist was conceived at that time. Six months later, the Lord was conceived, or late December. It follows the birth of the Lord would have been late September.

Its just a theory, and totally unimportant to the Gospel.

 

[Ed Edwards]

Low 59 on 15DC08 in Israel

The low before dawn on 15 December 2008 near Bethlehem was 59-degrees-F.

By contrast the low 8 hours later (just before dawn) in Heavenly Central Oklahoma was 17-degrees-F (felt like minus-1-degrees-F to those without wool coats).