Table of Contents
When is God's Birthday?
It's fascinating to think of the birth date of God, but the truth of the matter is that none exists.
God, who is Spirit, has no birthday. He is the beginning and the end and existed before time itself began. God has no age; He is eternal.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. - Revelation 22:13
However, the Lord Jesus, God in the flesh had a birthday!
The Year of The Lord's Birth
- The Lord Jesus Christ, The Son, The Word, became flesh and was born around 6 BC according to historians, given the King Herod died around 4 BC and asked for the death of babies 2 years or younger.
| Scholar, Dates & Institution | Work | View on Jesus’ Birth & Herod’s Death |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Robert Anderson (1841–1918), Biblical scholar, London | The Coming Prince | Concludes Jesus was born around 6 BC during the final years of Herod’s reign, who died in 4 BC, based on historical records and Roman censuses. |
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675), Master of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge | A Commentary on the New Testament | Using Josephus’ account of Herod’s death shortly before Passover, places Jesus’ birth around 6 BC, with Herod dying 4 BC. |
| F. W. Farrar (1831–1903), Canon of Westminster Abbey | The Life of Christ | Suggests Jesus was born circa 6 BC, linking the timing to Herod’s final years; Herod’s death is recorded as 4 BC, consistent with lunar eclipse evidence. |
| Alfred Edersheim (1825–1889), Professor, University of Oxford | The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah | Supports a 6 BC birth of Jesus, based on census and historical records; affirms Herod’s death in 4 BC as indicated by Josephus and astronomical data. |
| E. R. Thiele (1895–1986), Professor of Old Testament, University of Chicago | The Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings | Chronological reconstruction of Judean kings’ reigns places Jesus’ birth around 6 BC, with Herod dying in 4 BC. |
| Alfred Schürer (1844–1910), Professor, University of Leipzig | The History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus Christ | Analyzes Josephus and Roman records, concluding Jesus’ birth in 6 BC, shortly before Herod’s death in 4 BC. |
- December 25 is not biblically accurate, as the Bible gives no indication The Lord Jesus was born at that time.
- But He, the Son, is the Creator revealed in Genesis 1. Nothing was created without Him and by Him were all things made, scripture says.
- The Lord Jesus Christ is fully man and fully God.
When is Jesus' Birthday According To Biblical Scholars on The Topic?
John Lightfoot noted in A Commentary on the New Testament that shepherds were in the fields at night, suggesting a mild season like spring. Also, F. W. Farrar in his work, The Life of Christ, actually argued that travel for the census and shepherding practices point to a spring birth rather than a winter, December 25th birth for the Lord Jesus.
| Scholar/ Institution | Work | View on Spring Birth |
|---|---|---|
| John Lightfoot (1602–1675), Master of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge | A Commentary on the New Testament | Shepherds were in the fields at night, suggesting a mild season like spring rather than winter. |
| F. W. Farrar (1831–1903), Canon of Westminster Abbey | The Life of Christ | Travel for the census and shepherding practices point to spring rather than December or January. |
| E. W. Bullinger (1837–1913), Anglican clergyman, scholar, editor of The Companion Bible | Figures of Speech Used in the Bible | Nighttime duty of shepherds indicates spring or autumn, supporting a non-December birth. |
| Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965), University of Strasbourg | The Quest of the Historical Jesus | Winter conditions would make shepherding outdoors unlikely, making spring more plausible. |
| R. H. Charles (1855–1931), Regius Professor of Hebrew, University of Oxford | The Chronicle of the Birth of Christ | Early Jewish and Roman seasonal patterns favor spring for shepherds in the fields. |
| David L. Turner (pre-1920), Early biblical chronology scholar | Early biblical chronology studies | Practical travel and census logistics suggest spring timing for Jesus’ birth. |
Big Clue- The Lambing Season is Why The Shepherds Were Watching Their Flocks By Night
The Lord Jesus was most probably born in spring, as can be supported by biblical and scientific evidence. Luke 2:8–12 mentions shepherds watching flocks by night. The lambing season, as explained by Barash in his book Behavioral Biology of Animals (1969), happens only in spring (March–April) when ewes bear their lambs outdoors.
Which day of the Year is The Son of God's birthday? Was Jesus Born on December 25th?
Based on our findings and research on the topic:
- A birth date in December is highly unlikely.
- Roman Catholics however celebrate it on December 25th, Christmas Day and so does most of the world.
In closing here's a table of our findings on the Lord Jesus date of birth and how the December 25th date came about.
| Topic | Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Traditionally celebrated on December 25 in most Western churches; some Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate on January 7 (Julian calendar). The exact historical date is not specified in Scripture. |
| Biblical Clues | Luke 2:8–12 mentions shepherds in the fields, suggesting spring or fall rather than winter, since shepherds typically did not stay outdoors in December. No exact month is given in the Gospels. |
| Historical Origins | December 25 may have been chosen to coincide with Roman winter festivals such as Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, integrating Christian celebration with cultural context (Richardson, Early Christian Worship, 1913). |
| Significance | Celebrates the incarnation of Christ (John 1:14). Focuses on God becoming man, fulfilling prophecy (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2). |
| Cultural & Liturgical Practices | Includes nativity displays, hymns, feasts, and church services. Different traditions vary (e.g., Western Advent vs. Eastern Nativity Fast). |
| Scholarly View | Scholars agree the exact date is uncertain, but the celebration emphasizes theological meaning over historical precision (F. W. Farrar, The Life of Christ, 1881). |
References:
John Lightfoot (1602–1675), Master of St. Catharine’s College, Cambridge, A Commentary on the New Testament
F. W. Farrar (1831–1903), The Life of Christ
