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When was Jesus actually born?
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Was Jesus actually born on December 25th? If not, can anyone shed some light on when it may have been?
Many thanks in advance.
Many thanks in advance.
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Lots of theories, but we can be fairly certain He wasn't born on 25th December.
When was Jesus born? Nothing is absolutely certain, because we are dealing with implications and assumptions, but a good guess from the Scriptures and history is September 29, 5 B.C
http://www.new-life.net/chrtms10.htm
So the most likely year that Jesus was born, is 6BC, probably in the month of March. There was no year 0 (zero) recorded, so the 2nd millennium celebration of the birth of Jesus should have been held in March 1995.
http://www.funandgames.org/hunt/jesus.htm
When was Jesus born? Nothing is absolutely certain, because we are dealing with implications and assumptions, but a good guess from the Scriptures and history is September 29, 5 B.C
http://www.new-life.net/chrtms10.htm
So the most likely year that Jesus was born, is 6BC, probably in the month of March. There was no year 0 (zero) recorded, so the 2nd millennium celebration of the birth of Jesus should have been held in March 1995.
http://www.funandgames.org/hunt/jesus.htm
This doesn't answer your question, but is quite interesting.
http://www.christiananswers.net/christmas/myth saboutchristmas.html
http://www.christiananswers.net/christmas/myth saboutchristmas.html
This is important evidence to disprove a December date for Christ's birth. Note that, at the time of Christ's birth, the shepherds tended their flocks in the fields at night. "Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields," wrote one Gospel writer, "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8). A common practice of shepherds was keeping their flocks in the field from April to October, but in the cold and rainy winter months they took their flocks back home and sheltered them.
We don't know. We have only two 'sources', if you can call them that, and they don't help.
The gospel called "Luke" gives Mary a pregnancy lasting at least ten years, claiming that he was conceived during the reign of Herod (who died in 4BC) but was born during the census of Quirinius (Cyrenius) which was in AD6.
The gospel called "Matthew" merely claims that he was born during Herod's reign, which was 40BC to 4BC.
There are no other 'sources'.
It's best to treat it as just the delightful fairy-story that it is.
The gospel called "Luke" gives Mary a pregnancy lasting at least ten years, claiming that he was conceived during the reign of Herod (who died in 4BC) but was born during the census of Quirinius (Cyrenius) which was in AD6.
The gospel called "Matthew" merely claims that he was born during Herod's reign, which was 40BC to 4BC.
There are no other 'sources'.
It's best to treat it as just the delightful fairy-story that it is.
Astronomers have calculated that Christmas should be in June, by charting the appearance of the 'Christmas star' which the Bible says led the three Wise Men to Jesus.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/36 87843/Jesus-was-born-in-June-astronomers-claim .html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/36 87843/Jesus-was-born-in-June-astronomers-claim .html
Well certainly not December 25th.
this was the Roman festival of Sol Invictus and related to Saturnalia slightly before.
The date of "Christmas" was deliberately placed then to subvert the pagen festivals.
Never quite worked though, the midwinter festivals of feasting are still deep in our psyche along with imagary of mistletoe and ivy and the like.
Drives me mad when some old fool starts on about "the true meaning of Christmas"
It was a festival of celebration and excess long before the Christians came and elbowed their way in. Stonehenge itself probably celebrates the winter solstice rather than the summer one!
So a merry Yule to all!
this was the Roman festival of Sol Invictus and related to Saturnalia slightly before.
The date of "Christmas" was deliberately placed then to subvert the pagen festivals.
Never quite worked though, the midwinter festivals of feasting are still deep in our psyche along with imagary of mistletoe and ivy and the like.
Drives me mad when some old fool starts on about "the true meaning of Christmas"
It was a festival of celebration and excess long before the Christians came and elbowed their way in. Stonehenge itself probably celebrates the winter solstice rather than the summer one!
So a merry Yule to all!
The ancient Chinese recorded a comet which was visible between 9 March and 4 May in 5BC and that could have been the Star of Bethlehem. Oddly enough even though the Gospel of St Matthew says the star went before the wise men until it stood over where the young child was, it seems King Herod wasn't aware of the star.
Some think that Luke's reference to Quirinius was a mistake, and that he was referring to an earlier census which took place in 8BC, which means if Jesus was born in 5BC, his parents must have settled in Bethlehem for a few years until fleeing to Egypt to escape the slaughter of the innocents.
But that theory leads us to another problem. If Mary was pregnant when she and Joseph went to Bethlehem for the census in 8BC, and didn't give birth until 5BC, that still gives her a pretty long pregnancy. Not ten years as the other version would have it, but still three years. Whichever way it happened, there's definitely a chronological problem with this story.
Some think that Luke's reference to Quirinius was a mistake, and that he was referring to an earlier census which took place in 8BC, which means if Jesus was born in 5BC, his parents must have settled in Bethlehem for a few years until fleeing to Egypt to escape the slaughter of the innocents.
But that theory leads us to another problem. If Mary was pregnant when she and Joseph went to Bethlehem for the census in 8BC, and didn't give birth until 5BC, that still gives her a pretty long pregnancy. Not ten years as the other version would have it, but still three years. Whichever way it happened, there's definitely a chronological problem with this story.
Many thanks to you all for taking the time to post an answer. The reason I ask was that my daughters teacher told her she can't celebrate Christmas because she has told him she doesn't believe in God. She was quite upset as he wasn't particularly pleasant about it. I told her I had read that Jesus wasn't born on Christmas Day and wanted to give her some answers from other people so she wouldn't think I was fibbing!!! Thanks again, I really appreciate your help.
Merry Christmas to you all!
Merry Christmas to you all!
"my daughters teacher told her she can't celebrate Christmas because she has told him she doesn't believe in God."
Why are some teachers such smart-asses? If he'd said that to another adult he'd probably be told to mind his own business (or be told about Saturnalia and the winter solstice) but because he's an authority figure he gets to lay down the law. I don't suppose smudge's daughter is really going to be barred from the Xmas festivities so it's just a cheap shot. To take advantage of a position of power to even try to impose your views on another person without admitting the possibility of argument is a form of bullying, in my book. But I suppose I'd better give him the benefit of the doubt, though, and say he just wanted to provoke thought.
Why are some teachers such smart-asses? If he'd said that to another adult he'd probably be told to mind his own business (or be told about Saturnalia and the winter solstice) but because he's an authority figure he gets to lay down the law. I don't suppose smudge's daughter is really going to be barred from the Xmas festivities so it's just a cheap shot. To take advantage of a position of power to even try to impose your views on another person without admitting the possibility of argument is a form of bullying, in my book. But I suppose I'd better give him the benefit of the doubt, though, and say he just wanted to provoke thought.
That teacher needs to think a little straighter.
I don't believe in God, either. I am as atheist as you can get, but I thoroughly enjoy Christmas for all the bog-standard cliched reasons: comradeship, old friends, generosity, and beautiful music, poetry and literature. I know Handel's Messiah almost off by heart and I fell in love with Milton's Ode on the Morning of Christ's Nativity at school. I don't believe a word of the story but (in the Luke version at least) it's a charming one.
Your daughter should ask that bigoted teacher whether she must believe that Romeo and Juliet actually existed before she is allowed to enjoy Shakespeare's play or Tchaikovsky's or Prokofiev's music.
I don't believe in God, either. I am as atheist as you can get, but I thoroughly enjoy Christmas for all the bog-standard cliched reasons: comradeship, old friends, generosity, and beautiful music, poetry and literature. I know Handel's Messiah almost off by heart and I fell in love with Milton's Ode on the Morning of Christ's Nativity at school. I don't believe a word of the story but (in the Luke version at least) it's a charming one.
Your daughter should ask that bigoted teacher whether she must believe that Romeo and Juliet actually existed before she is allowed to enjoy Shakespeare's play or Tchaikovsky's or Prokofiev's music.
Smudge, is this the same daughter that got told off at school for saying she saw ghosts in your house?
I am a bit bemused that your daughter had this � altercation with her unpleasant teacher about belief in God, and you are here asking about Jesus� actual birth day?
I would have thought with these instances you should be stomping up to the school to have some very stern words with him.
I am a bit bemused that your daughter had this � altercation with her unpleasant teacher about belief in God, and you are here asking about Jesus� actual birth day?
I would have thought with these instances you should be stomping up to the school to have some very stern words with him.
Octavius, it was my other daughter who 'sees' people! I must sound like I have strange children! lol
I did tell my daughter I would come up and speak to him, but she is not very keen on that idea.
Chakka35, I like your comment about Romeo and Juliet, I may suggest she tries that.
Thank you all, I think her teacher is a little odd, as he says he boycotts all things Nestle....but then was spotted eating a Milky Bar!!!! lol
Merry Christmas to you all.
I did tell my daughter I would come up and speak to him, but she is not very keen on that idea.
Chakka35, I like your comment about Romeo and Juliet, I may suggest she tries that.
Thank you all, I think her teacher is a little odd, as he says he boycotts all things Nestle....but then was spotted eating a Milky Bar!!!! lol
Merry Christmas to you all.
Christmas is a man made truth/lie (and those who dont read enough will never know the errors in their "truths") and has very little to do with God and Jesus! and the 25th isn't his birthday,
although no one really knows when he was born.... he was born...no big deal! he probably cried for food, and was unhappy when he **** himself like every other baby!
Exactly when he was born isn't really important....... the day he died is important, and what he did on this day!
AND the teacher who was mentioned below should be expelled and never allowed to teach again!!!
Thats the kinda people who we "allow" access to our children, ones who abuse and manipulate......and teach (lies)!
History books are very one sided...... are written by the winners.... the losers voice gets lost before it could even be spoken!
The written word is our greatest achievment ever!
and is abused in every way possible!
But we all have free will, and access to sound litrature!
read read read read read
although no one really knows when he was born.... he was born...no big deal! he probably cried for food, and was unhappy when he **** himself like every other baby!
Exactly when he was born isn't really important....... the day he died is important, and what he did on this day!
AND the teacher who was mentioned below should be expelled and never allowed to teach again!!!
Thats the kinda people who we "allow" access to our children, ones who abuse and manipulate......and teach (lies)!
History books are very one sided...... are written by the winners.... the losers voice gets lost before it could even be spoken!
The written word is our greatest achievment ever!
and is abused in every way possible!
But we all have free will, and access to sound litrature!
read read read read read
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