The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, is a profound event surrounded by significant details. Contrary to common assumptions, His birth did not occur in winter. Evidence suggests that Jesus was likely begotten around the end of December and born near the end of September or in early October of the following year, around the time of the Feast of Trumpets in 4 BC. This timing aligns with the fall harvest and the Roman registration decreed by Caesar Augustus, which was typically conducted after the harvest when people had funds to pay the tax. Further supporting this timeframe, the presence of shepherds in the fields at night, as described in Luke's account, indicates a season outside of the rainy winter months in Palestine, which span from late October to early April, with the harshest weather between December and February. Shepherds would not have kept their flocks out in such cold and wet conditions, nor would they have chosen to endure it themselves. Thus, the announcement of His birth to the shepherds under the night sky points to a milder time of year, consistent with late September or early October.

The Nativity, the birth of Jesus Christ, is recounted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, yet neither provides a specific date for His birth. Honest and objective scholars acknowledge that a winter date, particularly in December, is among the least likely times for this event. In Palestine, December marks the start of the rainy season, and shepherds would have ceased leaving their flocks in the fields at night well before then, likely a month or two earlier. The majority opinion suggests that Jesus' birth occurred in the autumn, possibly around the fall festivals of Trumpets or Tabernacles. These biblical details challenge the traditional timing of Christmas, revealing a discrepancy between historical evidence and the commonly celebrated winter date.

We are approaching the time when the world celebrates the supposed birth of Jesus Christ on December 25. For those in the church of God who do not observe Christmas, this difference often draws curiosity and questions about why we do not keep it. If we state that Christ was not born on December 25, we must be prepared to provide evidence. Luke's Gospel offers clues about the time of Jesus' birth, though no specific date or season is named. Luke, a well-regarded historian, provides a sound, orderly account of events that helps determine the general time of His birth. In Luke 1:5 through 2:8, a chronological sequence begins with Zacharias, a priest of the course of Abijah, who was visited by the angel Gabriel while serving in the Temple. Gabriel announced that Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth would have a son named John. In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, Gabriel visited Mary, informing her that she would conceive and bear a son named Jesus. Mary then visited Elizabeth and stayed until the latter's ninth month, indicating Jesus was born approximately six months after John. Historical details in Luke's account, combined with the timing of the course of Abijah, suggest that John was conceived in the first half of 5 BC, placing Jesus' birth sometime in 4 BC. This evidence points away from a December 25 date and destroys the foundation of the Christmas holiday. Knowing the true timing of His birth renews faith in the accuracy of God's Word and equips us to provide common-sense reasons for our beliefs in a world of compromise and confusion. We must study and follow what is true to avoid being fooled by counterfeit traditions.