While Christmas celebrates Jesus’ birth in December, biblical clues and historical analysis strongly suggest He was likely born in the fall (autumn), around September or October, due to shepherds with flocks outdoors, the census timing, and calculations based on John the Baptist‘s conception, linking to Jewish festivals like Tabernacles. 

Evidence for an Autumn Birth:

• Shepherds in Fields: Luke 2:8 mentions shepherds tending flocks at night; this would be more plausible in mild autumn weather than cold, snowy winter, when sheep are housed.
• Priestly Calendar: Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, served in the Jerusalem Temple (Abijah’s course, around June) when Gabriel appeared.
• John’s Conception/Birth: After Zechariah returned home, Elizabeth conceived (late June/July). John was born about March.
• Jesus’ Conception/Birth: Mary conceived Jesus six months after John’s conception (late December/early January). Adding nine months to this places Jesus’ birth in September/October.
• Feast of Tabernacles: An autumn birth coincides with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth), a major pilgrimage festival when Jerusalem would be crowded, fitting the census narrative. 

Why December 25th?

• The Bible doesn’t state Jesus’ birth date. December 25th was adopted later (3rd Century AD in North Africa) to coincide with existing winter solstice festivals, a practice sometimes linked to “redeeming” pagan dates. 

Matthew 22:36-40New International Version – Greatest Commandment

³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”³⁷ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Luke 2: – The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

The Rich and the Kingdom of God- Mark 10:18

¹⁷ As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’^[a]”

Notes: Prophet Jesus taught to worship God Alone (monotheism/ Islam – Submission to God- no on is Good but God; love/ worship God with all you mind, all your soul and all your mind); “trinity” was a concept in minority later introduced by the church – during Emperor Constantine – 325CE –

Jesus’ Birth – in Quran Kareem –

45. The Angels said, “O Mary, God gives you good news of a Word from Him. His name is the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, well-esteemed in this world and the next, and one of the nearest.

46. He will speak to the people from the crib, and in adulthood, and will be one of the righteous.”

47. She said, “My Lord, how can I have a child, when no man has touched me?” He said, “It will be so. God creates whatever He wills. To have anything done, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.” 48. And He will teach him the Scripture and wisdom, and the Torah and the Gospel.

49. A messenger to the Children of Israel: “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I make for you out of clay the figure of a bird; then I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by God’s leave. And I heal the blind and the leprous, and I revive the dead, by God’s leave. And I inform you concerning what you eat, and what you store in your homes. In that is a sign for you, if you are believers.”

50. “And verifying what lies before me of the Torah, and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord; so fear God, and obey me.”

51. “God is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is a straight path.”

52. When Jesus sensed disbelief on their part, he said, “Who are my allies towards God?” The disciples said, “We are God’s allies; we have believed in God, and bear witness that we submit.” 53. “Our Lord, we have believed in what You have revealed, and we have followed the Messenger, so count us among the witnesses.”

54. They planned, and God planned; but God is the Best of planners. 55.˹Remember˺ when Allah(God) said, “O Jesus! I will take you¹ and raise you up to Myself. I will deliver you from those who disbelieve, and elevate your followers above the disbelievers until the Day of Judgment. Then to Me you will ˹all˺ return, and I will settle all your disputes.

56. As for those who disbelieve, I will punish them with a severe punishment, in this world and the next, and they will have no helpers. 57. And as for those who believe and do good works, He will give them their rewards in full. God does not love the unjust.”

58. This is what We recite to you of the Verses and the Wise Reminder. 59. The likeness of Jesus in God’s sight is that of Adam: He created him from dust, then said to him, “Be,” and he was. 60. The truth is from your Lord, so do not be of those who doubt.

61. And if anyone disputes with you about him, after the knowledge that has come to you, say, “Come, let us call our children and your children, and our women and your women, and ourselves and yourselves, and let us invoke God’s curse on the liars.” 62. This is the narrative of truth: there is no god but God. God is the Mighty, the Wise. 63. But if they turn away—God knows the corrupt.

64. Say, “O People of the Book, come to terms common between us and you: that we worship none but God, and that we associate nothing with Him, and that none of us takes others as lords besides God.” And if they turn away, say, “Bear witness that we have submitted.”

#Jesus, #Birth, #Bible, #Quran Kareem, #Comparative Religion – Monotheism; #Quotes;