The birth of Jesus is a subject that is worthy to look at during the Christmas season. With December 25th just around the corner, there are questions that need to be answered.
Why was the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem?
In Micah 5:2 it says, But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
The reason it is called Bethlehem Ephratah is that there were two Bethlehem’s. So, the prophet had to be specific.
And what was so special about this town. It wasn’t far from Jerusalem and the sheep raised there were owned by the priesthood and were used in Temple worship.
Why did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem?
Because all Jewish men were required to go to their family home or birthplace and pay their taxes. Joseph had been born in Bethlehem and so he had to go there to pay his taxes.
So. God used a Roman emperor, a pagan, to cause Joseph and Mary to travel to Bethlehem where she gave birth to Jesus, thus fulfilling scripture.
When was the birth of Jesus?
By a pagan tradition we celebrate His birth on the 25th of December. But let’s take a look at some facts.
The sheep of Bethlehem were owned by the Temple and used for the temple sacrifices. One of my favorite books over my lifetime has been A Shepherd Looks at the 23rd Psalm by Philip Keller.
That book follows the sheep as they travel up a mountain, graze on a plateau, then travel back down to their home range. It starts in Spring/Summer and ends in Fall. Because the shepherds were near Bethlehem when Jesus was born, we know He was either born in the Spring or in the Fall.
When you study the time of the taxation you discover it took place in 3 BC. In Luke 2:1-5 is says And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Bethlehem was 70 miles from Nazareth and only 6 miles from Jerusalem where Joseph would need to go in two weeks for the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorated the 40-year journey of the Israelites who left Egypt for the Promised Land.
In Luke 2:8 the shepherds are said to be abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
If this was wintertime, the flock would have been within a structure not in the field. In my book What’s True About Christmas? Updated I go into more details which point to His possible birth in September.
In fact, there is evidence, both biblical and secular that points to a September 11th date. In the end, this date is conjecture, but it is much more accurate that December 25th.
Should we abandon December 25th to celebrate Birth of Jesus?
Absolutely not!
We couldn’t even if we tried. My point is that we should want to know as much truth as is possible. Knowing the approximate date of His birth adds depth to my Christmas experience. Nothing is taken away from my enjoyment of the season.
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R. Frederick Riddle is an author, teacher, publisher, and the owner of T&R Independent Books. The website is at Home – T&R Independent Bookstore (trbookservices.com). You can learn more about R. Frederick Riddle and T&R Independent Books at www.facebook.com/ronald.f.riddle, and at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfrederickriddle.
