So when was Jesus born? I think there are clues in the Gospel of Luke 1:5-17. There we read about a priest named Zacharias who was visited by an angel while performing his tasks inside the temple.
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years. And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. Luke 1:5-9
He was promised that he and his wife would have a child in their old age. That child was John the Baptist.
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. Luke 1:13-17
Luke tells us that Zacharias was of “the course of Abia” (Abijah). In 1 Chronicles 24:10, Abijah’s course was the eighth course. Josephus, the Jewish historian, writes that each course was one week long with priests rotating so that each would serve twice during the year. His “tour of duty” would end in late May or early June. Luke tells us that he returned home immediately after and Elizabeth, his wife, conceived:
And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house. And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months… Luke 1:23-24
That would put John’s birth right around, if not on the day of, Passover!
We read in Luke’s account that Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive the Messiah (Christ Gr.)
And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. Luke 1:26-36
Luke then tells us that when Mary conceived that Elizabeth was in her sixth month!
That would have made Mary’s conception In late December about, if not on the day of, December 25th! And Jesus’ birth in September around, if not on the day of, the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles!
December 25th, as noted previously, was the Roman feast of Sol Invictus (the unconquered sun). Linking Jesus to the Sun is supported by several passages of Scripture such as Malachi 4:2:
But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings…
It appears to me that John the Baptist was born on Passover. Jesus was conceived on December 25th, and He was born in September on Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles!
Please note that the celebration of Christmas is likened to the coming of Jesus Christ (Advent) not necessarily His birth!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Pastor Ty
