JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

March 1989

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your recent request for proof that Jesus was born in the autumn, not on December 25.

There is much evidence available. Of course, no one knows the exact date of Christ's birth. It appears that God does not want people to celebrate that event.

One clue to the season of Christ's birth is found in Luke 2:8. The sheep were still in the fields at night. In those days, winters were more severe in Palestine, with frequent snowfall. Flocks were kept in shelters from about mid-October to mid-March. For details, see the note on Luke 2:8 in "Clarke's Commentary."

Another clue is the fact that John the Baptist was six months older than Jesus (Luke 1:26-27, 36). We know that John was conceived about mid-June and was therefore born in late March because John's father, Zacharias, was serving in the temple during the priestly course of Abia when the angel appeared to him (Luke 1:5). Thus, Jesus' birth must have occurred in early autumn.

Additional evidence is the fact that Jerusalem and the surrounding towns were very crowded with visitors at the time Jesus was born -- His parents had to take accommodations in a stable. People filled Jerusalem at the time of the annual Holy Days. The autumn festivals occur in the seventh month of the sacred year (see Leviticus 23), corresponding to our September-October. This was also the time of year when taxes were collected (Luke 2:1-5). We find in Luke 2:41 and John 7:1-10 that it was the custom for Jesus' parents to travel to Jerusalem for the annual Holy Days.

So, we see that there are a number of convincing proofs that Jesus was born in the early autumn, not in the dead of winter when the pagans celebrated the "birth" of their sun god!

Whenever we may help further, please let us know.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT