Have you ever wondered why people celebrate Christmas on December 25th? Most people believe Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus (Yeshua in Hebrew). But did you know the Bible never says He was born on that day?
When Was Yeshua Born?
The Bible doesn’t give us an exact date for Yeshua’s birth, but it provides clues. For example, shepherds were watching their flocks at night when He was born (Luke 2:8), which likely happened in warmer months, not during the cold of December when sheep were usually kept indoors. Plus, the connection between Revelation 12:1-5, the stars and planets in the sky (as shown in the ancient Hebrew Mazzaroth) shows that Yeshua’s birth was an important part of God’s perfect plan written ahead of time. Because of this, some biblical scholars believe Yeshua was born in the Fall. Discover more clues about Yeshua’s birth in our Birth of the King Activity Book.
Where Did December 25th Come From?
So, why is December 25th celebrated as Yeshua’s birthday? The date was chosen a long time after He lived. It wasn’t based on the Bible but on a Roman festival called Saturnalia. Saturnalia was a pagan holiday that celebrated the Roman god Saturn. It was a time for feasting, giving gifts, and decorating with evergreen trees and candles. In the 4th century, some church leaders decided to use December 25th to celebrate Jesus' birth, hoping to replace Saturnalia with a Christian holiday.
Over time, the way people celebrated Christmas grew to include many traditions not found in the Bible. Some of these customs came from different cultures and ideas. For example, the Christmas tree and Santa Claus are not mentioned in the Bible. The tradition of giving gifts was inspired by Saturnalia, and has become something much bigger, a reminder of how the Biblical account of Yeshua's birth has been mixed with traditions from around the world.
Is Christmas in the Bible?
If you read the Bible, you won’t find the word “Christmas” or any instructions to celebrate Yeshua’s birth. Instead, God instructs us to remember and honor His Appointed Times (Feasts) like:
- Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when Yeshua died so we could come back into covenant with Elohim.
- Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), when God sent His Holy Spirit to the disciples.
- Feast of Trumpets, a dress rehearsal for the coming King!
- The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), when God reminds us of the Israelites' journey in the wilderness, and the future wedding celebration with Yeshua to His Bride.
For a better understanding of the Bible's most famous story, try reading these Bible passages:
- Matthew 1:18-25: The story of Yeshua's birth and the angel's message to Joseph.
- Matthew 2:1-12: The visit of the wise men to see Yeshua.
- Luke 1:26-38: The angel’s announcement to Mary about Yeshua.
- Luke 2:1-20: The story of Yeshua's birth and the shepherds’ visit.
Learn more about the Fall Feasts and how they connect to Yeshua’s birth in our Birth of the King Activity Book. The search for truth is more fun than tradition!
