"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." (Matthew 2:1-2)
Read the notable biblical and historical evidence regarding the birthday and birthplace of Jesus. Let’s examine whether Jesus was actually born on Christmas Day, December 25th, in the little town of Bethlehem and what we know about the town and location.
Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem
The question of where Jesus was born is often answered with a city – Bethlehem. We know this from Biblical prophesies and narrative accounts like in Luke 2:4 and Matthew 2:1. But Bible scholars are less sure about specific details involving the setting. Again, we know from Luke’s gospel that Jesus was not born in an inn because there wasn’t room for his parents (Luke 2:7).
According to Micah 5:2 and Jewish tradition, the Messiah (the Christ) would be born in Bethlehem, a small town near Jerusalem. Luke 2 informs us that Mary and Joseph traveled to the town for a census prior to Jesus's birth, thus fulfilling the prophecy.
- Micah 5:2, “But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
- Matthew 2:1-2, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’”
- Luke 2:4-7, “Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David…And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
*Used by permission of eBibleTeacher.com
What Else Do We Know About Bethlehem?
Bethlehem, a small and historically significant city, is nestled in the West Bank region of modern-day Palestine. The name "Bethlehem" itself translates to "House of Bread" in Hebrew, emphasizing its agricultural importance in ancient times.
In addition to the Gospels of Matthew and Luke providing accounts of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem, Bethlehem is also prominently mentioned in the Old Testament as the hometown of King David, the celebrated psalmist and shepherd-king of Israel. This connection to David's lineage is significant in the New Testament as it fulfills the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in the "city of David." Thus, Bethlehem's role as the birthplace of Jesus is deeply rooted in biblical prophecy, specifically in the book of Micah.
Today, Bethlehem remains a major pilgrimage site for Christians from around the globe. The town is rich in history and offers insights into early Jewish and Christian traditions, making it a profound place for reflection. Pilgrims visit to honor the nativity story, exploring various sites and archaeological finds that deepen the understanding of Bethlehem’s spiritual legacy.
Photo credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Alex_Vinci
Was Jesus Born in a Cave, Home, or Stable?
When we think about the nativity scene, many of us picture Jesus being born in a humble stable, surrounded by animals. This image, deeply ingrained in our Christmas traditions, comes from the Gospel of Luke. In Luke 2:7, we're told that Mary "laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn." A manger, after all, is a feeding trough for animals, which implies that Jesus was born in a place where animals were kept.
Yet, the Bible doesn't give us a detailed description of the exact location. Over time, the stable scene has become a staple of Nativity displays and Christmas imagery. However, some early church writings suggest another possibility: Jesus might have been born in a cave. In ancient Bethlehem, caves were often used as shelters for animals, providing protection from the harsh elements and keeping livestock warm during the cold winters.
Alternatively, there's a scholarly perspective that Jesus could have been born in a home that included a designated area for animals. In those times, homes often had spaces for livestock, so the phrase “there was no room for them in the inn” might hint at a more communal living arrangement. This view aligns with the humble nature of Jesus's birth, suggesting a setting that was both modest and accessible.
Regardless of whether Jesus was born in a stable, a cave, or a home with an animal area, the nativity story underscores the humility and grace of His arrival. It serves as a powerful reminder of simplicity and hope, resonating with the broader biblical themes of inclusivity and divine grace that mark His entrance into the world.
When was Jesus Born?
The traditional date of December 25 goes back to the early centuries of the Christian era. Contrary to what some have asserted, there is no evidence that Christians “borrowed” that date from a pagan festival honoring the sun. William J. Tighe argues that the reverse is more likely to be true:
“Rather, the pagan festival of the “Birth of the Unconquered Son” instituted by the Roman Emperor Aurelian on 25 December 274, was almost certainly an attempt to create a pagan alternative to a date that was already of some significance to Roman Christians. Thus the “pagan origins of Christmas” is a myth without historical substance.”
In regards to the actual time of year for Jesus’ birth, the Bible states in Luke 2:8-9: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.”
According to biblical scholar Adam Clarke, it was traditional for the shepherds of that region to send their sheep to the field from the spring until the beginning of October. As the colder winter months started, the flocks would return from the pastures for refuge and warmth. Because the shepherds were still guarding their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem, it can be inferred that the angels proclaimed the message of Jesus’ birth in October at the latest.
John the Baptist and the Birth of Christ
Other Christian scholars have used the birth of John the Baptist as a reference to understand a more precise timeline of Jesus’s nativity.
Luke 1 speaks of Zacharias, and his wife, Elizabeth, who became pregnant with John the Baptist after his time of duty in the temple. In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, Gabriel visited Mary with the announcement that she would give birth to Jesus. Therefore, the supposed month of Jesus’ birth can be estimated by calculating from the date of Zacharias’ clerical duty until the birth of Jesus.
By referencing Luke 1:24-31, we can estimate the month of Jesus’ birth to be around the time of mid to late September, coinciding with Clarke’s estimates of sheep herding. To measure this date, begin at the conception of John the Baptist, in June, go ahead six months to reach Gabriel’s message of the conception of Jesus, December, then go ahead nine more months, the period of human pregnancy to develop, to arrive at September, when Jesus was most likely born.
Despite not knowing the exact birthday of Jesus, we celebrate his birth on December 25th, as has been a Christian tradition for centuries. The earliest documented date of Christmas being observed on December 25th was in 336, during the era of the Roman Emperor Constantine (the first Christian Roman Emperor). But it was not a formal Roman state holiday at that time.
Why is Christmas on December 25th?
Scholars suggest the Roman Catholic Church decided on Dec. 25 for various reasons, such as that date's links to the winter solstice and Saturnalia, a festival devoted to the Roman deity Saturn. The Encyclopædia Britannica says that church leaders likely selected it “to coincide with the pagan Roman festival marking the birthday of the unconquered sun,” at the time of the winter solstice. According to The Encyclopedia Americana, many researchers believe this was done “to make Christianity more meaningful to pagan converts.”
When Did the Magi Visit and How Long Did the Family Stay in Bethlehem?
The family likely remained in Bethlehem until after the purification event on the fortieth day, as indicated by Luke 2:22, which aligns the timing of Jesus' presentation at the temple with this period. The feast of the Purification is observed by both Eastern and Western churches on February 2. Till this day, the mother was regarded as unclean and was to abide at home, and it is therefore very improbable that the adoration of the Magi, and especially the flight into Egypt, should have previously taken place.
The tradition that the Wise Men visited Jesus in Bethlehem shortly after this purification fits better with the biblical narrative than other theories suggesting an earlier visit or a return trip from Nazareth. The account in Matthew 2:13-14 details the immediate departure to Egypt following the visit of the Magi, supporting the idea that these events occurred in rapid succession. This interpretation is corroborated by Herod's swift reaction upon realizing that the Wise Men had bypassed him, as described in Matthew 2:16, indicating that the events from the Magi's visit to the flight into Egypt unfolded quickly.
True Significance of Jesus’ Birth
The truth that He was born is much more meaningful than where and exactly when Jesus was born. Jesus arrived on earth to exist with us and to be one of us. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would have a son and that His name was to be called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
The disciple John penned: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“The Word [Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). This is the revelation of what occurred at Bethlehem and the true importance of Jesus’s birth.
This article quotes from Was Jesus Really Born on December 25? Was There Really a Consensus When Jesus was Born? & Was Jesus Really Born in a Cave? on Christianity.com
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/lukbar
This article is part of our larger Christmas and Advent resource library centered around the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ. We hope these articles help you understand the meaning and story behind important Christian holidays and dates and encourage you as you take time to reflect on all that God has done for us through His Son, Jesus Christ!
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