There is nothing to prove that Christ was born December 25th, but there is circumstantial evidence he was born around early October. It is generally recognized that Jesus was crucified on Friday, April 3, AD 33. The fact that his crucifixion occurred at the close of the 14th day of the Hebrew month Nisan, and that this date rarely falls on Friday, but did so in the year AD 33 substantiates that date. Even Usher, who adopted BC 4 as the date of Jesus’ birth, was forced to admit that his crucifixion was AD 33.
Our Lord was 30 years of age when he began his ministry, and it is scripturally clear that his ministry was for three and a half years only. This generally conceded fact is proved by Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:25-27) concerning Christ’s cutting off in the middle of the seventieth week of Israel’s favor. The “seventy weeks” (A day for a year – 490 days, or 490 years – Ezekiel 4:6) dating from 454 BC terminated AD 36. In the “midst” of that last week of seven years, the “seventieth week,” Christ was “cut off” – crucified – April 3, AD 33. As the Lord Jesus was thirty-three and a half years old when he died, we have only to measure back that length of time to the date of his death to ascertain the date of his birth, which would be about October 3, BC 2. December 25th is highly unlikely.
Additional Resources:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #1261: “Am I Listening to the Angel?”
Looking at Jesus’ birth through the messages of angels
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
Episode #1209: “How Do We Keep Christmas About Jesus?”
Remembering the inspiring events surrounding the birth of Jesus
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes
For kids, parents and Bible class teachers:
Animated Video: What is the story of Jesus’ birth?
