The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, did not occur in December, as many assume. According to the internal evidence in Scripture, His birth likely took place near the end of September or in early October, around the time of the Feast of Trumpets in 4 BC. This timing aligns with the fall harvest and the Romans' registration for taxation, which was typically conducted after the harvest when people had the means to pay. The presence of shepherds in the fields at night, as described in Luke's account, further supports this timeframe, as shepherds would not have been out during the rainy season between late October and early April, with the harshest weather occurring from December to February. In Palestine, around Jerusalem, much of the annual rainfall happens during this winter period, making it unlikely for shepherds to keep their sheep in the cold and rain, or to endure such conditions themselves. Thus, the events surrounding His birth point to a fall occurrence rather than the commonly assumed winter date.

Despite the widespread celebration of Christmas on December 25 or January 6 by mainstream Christians, there is little evidence to support these early winter dates as the actual time of Jesus Christ's birth. Historical records show that Christian leaders did not celebrate His birth well into the late-third century, with Early Church Father Origen mocking Roman birth anniversaries as pagan practices, indicating no similar festivities for Jesus at that time. Earlier still, around the year 200, Clement of Alexandria noted various proposed dates for the Nativity, none of which were in December, with most falling in the spring. By the fourth century, December 25 in the Roman West and January 6 in Egypt and the East emerged as competing dates, possibly influenced by Roman pagan festivals like Saturnalia or the feast of Sol Invictus established on December 25 in 274 C.E. Another theory ties December 25 to the belief that Jesus was conceived and crucified on March 25, exactly nine months prior, reflecting ancient views of divine symmetry. However, biblical details suggest a more likely time in early autumn, aligning with the fall holy days, rather than the short days of winter.

Jesus Christ was not born on December 25. While the exact date of His birth is not provided, clues suggest it occurred in the second half of September, around the fall holy days. Calculations based on the timing of Zacharias' priestly service in the Temple indicate that John the Baptist, who was six months older than Jesus, was born in late March, leading to this conclusion about Jesus' birth. Additionally, it is noted that the Bible does not specify the actual day of His birth, and early Christians, as reflected in the earliest gospel of Mark written a half-century after His birth, showed little concern for His birthday, focusing instead on His adult life and baptism.

We are approaching the time when the world celebrates the supposed birth of Jesus Christ, yet we in the church of God do not observe Christmas, often standing out and prompting questions about our beliefs. If we assert that Christ was not born on December 25, we must be prepared to provide evidence. Luke's Gospel offers clues through a detailed, chronological account starting with Zacharias, a priest of the course of Abijah, who was visited by the angel Gabriel and told he would have a son named John. Elizabeth, his wife, conceived soon after, and in her sixth month of pregnancy, Gabriel visited Mary, announcing she would bear a son named Jesus. Mary then stayed with Elizabeth until near the time of John's birth, indicating Jesus was born approximately six months after John. Historical details in Luke's account, combined with the timing of the course of Abijah and the gestation period, suggest John was conceived in the first half of 5 BC, placing Jesus' birth in 4 BC, not in December. Knowing the true date of His birth destroys the foundation of the Christmas holiday and reinforces the accuracy of God's Word, equipping us to counter falsehoods with verifiable truth.

As we approach the annual celebration of Christmas, it is evident that the world, regardless of belief, embraces the season with fervor. However, we must address the timing of Jesus Christ's birth, asserting that it did not occur on December 25. Scripture provides evidence that challenges this date. Zacharias' first course of service in the Temple fell in late spring, around the ninth week of the year, just before Pentecost, with all priests serving during that holy day. Following this, Zacharias returned home, and John the Baptist was conceived in mid- to late June. Given that Jesus' conception was six months later, as recorded in Luke 1, it places His conception in December, suggesting His birth occurred during the fall holy day season, not in late December. This discrepancy highlights the misalignment of the traditional date with historical and biblical timing. Furthermore, the choice of December 25 coincides with the pagan Saturnalia, a festival Roman Christianity adopted and syncretized with other pagan customs to integrate various peoples into their fold. Thus, we maintain that Jesus was never part of Christmas in the first place, as His birth did not align with this date or its associated traditions.

The timing of Jesus Christ's birth does not align with the traditional December date often celebrated by the world. Evidence suggests that His birth likely occurred around the end of September, possibly near the Day of Trumpets in 4 BC, during the fall holy days. This period coincided with a time of taxation, when people traveled to be registered after the harvest, ensuring they had the means to pay. Bethlehem, near Jerusalem, would have been overcrowded due to the influx of visitors for the holy days, explaining the lack of room in the inn and the humble circumstances of His birth in a grotto or cave, with a manger as His first crib. Further supporting this timeline, shepherds were out in the fields at night when the angels announced His birth, an unlikely scenario during the rainy season of December. In that colder, wetter month, shepherds would have brought their sheep in for shelter, indicating that the event must have taken place earlier in the year, likely in late summer or early fall. This perspective challenges the worldly portrayal of Christmas and invites a deeper appreciation for the biblical accounts of His birth.

The astounding fact is that Jesus Christ was not born on December 25. It is widely acknowledged that He could not have been born around the winter solstice. In the early fourth century, the Catholic Church combined the Roman winter solstice festival, the Saturnalia, with a celebration of His birth to ease the transition of new converts to Christianity. Despite this, no command or suggestion to commemorate the Savior's birth can be found from Genesis to Revelation in the Bible. The notion of putting Christ back into Christmas is contradictory, as He was never part of this celebration to begin with.