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Bro Nobody · (This post was last modified: Sun Jan 10, 2010 03:42 PM by Bro Nobody.)

We have a few astute Bible students here that are computer savvy. So, in another recent thread they said Jesus was not born on Dec 25th. I agree, the Bible does give some very clear clues as to when though. So when was he born and how did you come to your conclusion?
Hin't: you can take several approaches. kinda like math. But you will need knowledge of temple rituals, calendar conversions, ect. It will be much simpler than what the Wise men had to seek out and know to get there�.

Davo · Sun Jan 10, 2010 , 07:26 PM

Spurgeon said that we don't know when he was born, but one day wecan be sure he wasn't born was 25 Dec.

My old dad said he thought he would have been born during the feast of tabernacles, possibly the day of atonement,

Scripture doesn't give us the date, so it is not worth speculating as it is not important.

Mongol Servant · Mon Jan 11, 2010 , 04:15 AM

I agree, Davo. Since we're not told the time of The Lord's birth, and it is not celebrated anywhere in the New Testament, this verse should fit:

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Titus 3:9

**George** · Mon Jan 11, 2010 , 08:13 AM

Mongol Servant Wrote:I agree, Davo. Since we're not told the time of The Lord's birth, and it is not celebrated anywhere in the New Testament, this verse should fit:

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Titus 3:9

Amen Brother James! If God had wanted us to know for certain the date Jesus was born He would have put it in the Bible. I completely withdraw from instances in which folks want to speculate on what the Bible says or does not say. I have not enough time to study the entire Bible to get a really good working knowledge of it much less fritter away time speculating on whether or not our Saviour was actually born on December 25.

In Christ,
George

***Jim*** · Fri Jan 15, 2010 , 12:09 AM

Excellent thoughts folks. It's amazing how we want things in God's Word to be so important that the bible is silent upon. This begins all kinds of weird doctrines.

Jerry80871852 · Fri Jan 15, 2010 , 01:05 AM

I think it can be a neat subject to discuss, and some people offer up some pretty good evidence about when they thought Jesus was born. But in such discussion as when Jesus was born and even many other things that are not so clear, some people can get awful heated not showing much respect for those whose opinion is different from theirs, that ruins the discussion, making me think of this.

Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

1Ti 1:4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Tit 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

Seems like there be some who just cannot agree to disagree on some issues, if we could can agree to disagree on such subjects as that it could be discussed and might be edifying.

I recall a message an evangelist preached at a reveal service, it was on angels, some may have thought it was out of place at a reveal service, but I enjoyed it and thought it probably help several gain faith in our God and His Son.

Upholder · Fri Jan 15, 2010 , 07:47 AM

I believe that the true focus should be on why the Lord Jesus was born, rather than trying to discover exactly when he was born.

Bro Nobody · Mon Jan 18, 2010 , 09:16 PM

Wow shot down and not even a thought about it. Hmm. You can know with a fair amount of accuracy the when from several evidences in the Bible. There are a few assumptions so I am not one to set an exact date. The clues in this are several. Mary�s purification time after birth. John�s birth and Zacharias and the course of Abia, The tax of Rome, Anna in the temple all night was only allowed 1 time a year, Shepherds in the field. And a few more that all point the same direction. These things are studying to show thyself approved�unto God. And make for fascinating study. Not as some have said genealogy and questions rendering strife�It is what the wise men did to know to follow the star�study.
Just for the saying of it maybe the latter part of Sept�Which puts the conception in Dec�Which would become poignant to the festivals in the temple offering at the same time�. I have found it quite fascinating finding out what was being taught at different times in the temple as it correlates to Jesus teachings�It gives understanding as to why he said some of the things he did and why some of the Jews got so infuriated� Spend time with born again Jews and it opens another level in understanding through culture we oft miss as ..Just us.

Bro Nobody · Sun Jan 24, 2010 , 02:22 PM

Brother Jim I agree many things in the Bible are very clear upon which doctrine, discipline churches are built. Anything that is obscure should not be given weight. But it all should be studied and it is all profitable. When the LORD wants us to put the obscure pieces of the puzzle in, he will show us how it fits without disturbing the foundational doctrines. No matter how long I study, even if we are allowed to study in Heaven, I think I will never be able to reach the depth of God�s Word or the Height of his Majesty. But like standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon at sunset we cannot touch the river and the sun at the same time but we can bask in the glory, we will be overwhelmed and with all our being give Praise to the Lamb who alone is Worthy. Amen

Saw 3 adults come forward for salvation today after our national preacher poured out his heart� ie my timothy. No greater joy�amen!

***Jim*** · Sun Jan 24, 2010 , 02:39 PM

Quote:Spend time with born again Jews and it opens another level in understanding through culture we oft miss as ..Just us

EXACTLY

I have a dear secular friend. He is Orthodox Jew and I receive a massive amount of his DVD's pamphlets and other material. Do I agree with it? Absolutely not. Does it help me understand the bible a little better? Most definitely. It is absolutely amazing some of the things I became aware of through our conversations and a lot of this material.

I also have another friend who is Lebanese and is a Fundemtal Baptist pastor in Jerusalem. using these reasources has been invaluable in my studies and understanding not only Jewish culture, but why many of the areas of the bible addressed certain things. It is a blessing itself.

Love in Christ,

Jim

IM4given · Sat Jan 30, 2010 , 12:48 PM

I studied up a bit on Jewish culinary practices and wow are they ever strict about their food preparations. Like I knew they did not eat pork or shellfish, but I did not know that they used separate plates and cookware to cook meat and milk dishes in. I think it would drive me a bit batty trying to follow all of their religious rituals.

As to when Jesus was born I can only say that it was during the time of the census - whenever that was, and that Jesus was a toddler - maybe even walking and talking - by the time that the wise men met him - he maybe even had precosious conversations with them.

**George** · Sat Jan 30, 2010 , 12:52 PM

Quote:whenever that was, and that Jesus was a toddler - maybe even walking and talking - by the time that the wise men met him - he maybe even had precosious conversations with them.

That is very true but according to the Bible the shepherds saw Him first. He was still a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger when they got there.

In Christ,
George

Jerry80871852 · Sat Jan 30, 2010 , 05:02 PM

Did not Herod order all children age 2 and under to be murdered? Being as Herod chose 2 years and younger should we assume Christ was 2 year or under at the time the wise men came to him? Would that not be as close to His age as we can get?

Plus how much time passed after the wise men visited Jesus did Herod realized that the wise men failed to come let him know where Jesus was? So actually when the wise men saw Jesus He could have been several months younger that 2 years of age, couldn't He?

Wise men, at least we know its more than one, which could be 2, 3, or even more.

Bro Nobody · Sat Jan 30, 2010 , 11:05 PM

Swaddling clothes is another study that is revealing, I stumbled across it because of language issues in translation. Spanish Bibles say the equivalent of diapers. But it was really just torn strips to bind the baby just as they did for burial. Joseph and Mary were poor and an untimely birth(Perfect on God's Time) meant they needed to improvise and tear a cloth into strips to wrap the baby. It was an uncommon practice else it would not have been a sign to find him. It originated in the orient as a practice to protect a baby but it was used in the middle east for preparation for burial. So Our LORD on the day of his birth was wrapped in clothing signifying his reason for coming. The death burial and resurrection. Amen!

**George** · Sun Jan 31, 2010 , 10:29 AM

That is quite fascinating Brother Nobody. I just did a real quick study on that word "swaddling" using Strong's and a couple of other sources. Thank you for pointing this out. I had not seen it that way prior to this time. It just amazes me that all of a sudden either I can see or others have pointed out things of the Bible which although I have read many times did not see in that particular way.

In Christ,
George