The mystery of Jesus’ birthdate

This our Christmas, commemorated by billions, has now evolved into a time of extravagant retail squander, with devilish overindulgence. But in it’s true meaning, it should’ve been memorialised a religious period, having its celebratory origin in the birth of Jesus, who Christians regard as the son of God. However, despite celebrated by billions worldwide, most scholars are of the informed view, Jesus wasn’t born on December 25^th or even in the year A.D. 1.

In fact, the astronomical and biblical evidence, don’t support the narrative, of a Christmas day birth. As a matter of fact, it has been theorised by biblical scholars, that the Roman Catholic Church chose Dec. 25, since it coincides with the winter solstice and Saturnalia, a festival dedicated to the Roman deity Saturn. For it’s thought, the church co-opted this popular pagan festival, as well as the winter celebration of other pagan religions, by choosing this day to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. Further, other biblical scholars argued, that this Christmas day was chosen to coincide with these Pagan celebrations, in an attempt to convert them to Christianity.

However, despite the historical narration, Jesus actual birthdate could be estimated, based on the Scriptures. Where one narrative in the story of Jesus’ birth, is the presence of shepherds watching over their flocks. For this is documented in Luke 2:7-8, which articulates, the shepherds were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. But considering it would’ve been winter in December, it’s unlikely the Shepherds would’ve been tending to their flocks. As a result, the conclusion is, Jesus was born during a warmer month, likely in the summer.

Having said that, there is further biblical evidence regarding Jesus’ birth and his parents Mary and Joseph’s commute to their hometown, Bethlehem. For Joseph and a heavily pregnant Mary, travelled to Bethlehem for the Roman census, which wouldn’t have occurred in the winter, or December specifically, because the turnout would’ve been expectedly low. Thus, yet another fact to counter the argument, of a Jesus December birth.

Moreover, in determining Jesus’ birth date, many Christians base their calculation on the birth of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, who was born, based on the Gospel of Luke, on or around December. In fact, guided by the scripture, Luke 1:24-37, John the Baptist was conceived six months before Jesus. Therefore, if his birth is taken into consideration, it leaves Jesus’ birth in June.

But having explored Jesus’ birth month, there remains many unanswered questions, on his birth year. For religious scholars don’t support the argument, Jesus was born in the year A.D. 1. Since some are of the informed view, Jesus was born between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C., based partly on the biblical story of King Herod the Great. Who, in an attempt to murder Jesus, ordered the death of all male infants under the age of 2, living in the vicinity of Bethlehem, an event known as the Massacre of the Innocents. However, this occurred shortly before Herod’s own demise, a date which is still disputed, but is postulated to be between 6 B.C. and 4 B.C. Nevertheless, based on Roman historians, King Herod died in 4 B.C., which makes Jesus’ birth unlikely in A.D. 1. Having said that, many historians disagree on Herod’s actual year of death, even as many have argued that the mass infanticide is nothing more than a legend.

And complicating matters further, is the theory that the Star of Bethlehem, may have been Venus and Jupiter coming together, to form a bright light in the sky. That is, a rare lunar event, Astronomers calculated to have occurred in June of 2 B.C. Moreover, another theory is a similar conjunction between Saturn and Jupiter, which occurred in October of 7 B.C. Which when considering these historical dates, would point to Jesus not being born in A.D. 1, as is commonly believed.

Mark’s Take 

The fact is, it may be wholly inconsequential to many, as to the actual birthdate of Jesus Christ. On the other hand, the exact birthdate may be wholly consequential to others. Nevertheless, regardless of which cohort you may have been represented, the conviction is, as cognitive beings, we should examine information and data, through critical lenses. For many have questioned, if Jesus Christ was Middle Eastern, why is he eternally portrayed as phenotypically White? However, such we will disregard for another day, since enough has been said to intrigue your holidays. Merry Christmas to you all from the Mark’s Take column.