Jesus Christ was born about 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, Judea, now in southern Israel, during the kingship of Herod the Great. At that time, the area was part of the Roman Empire under Emperor Augustus (previously Octavian) Caesar, the adopted son of Julius Caesar, who eventually succeeded him. These are the facts.
The Gospels do not specifically spell out the date of His birth, as it contributes nothing to His story. But it is part of our human nature to be curious about such things. This date is now written as the year of our Lord, (Latin, anno Domini), AD 00, using the Gregorian calendar. But the Gregorian calendar was not introduced until A.D.1582 and has some discrepancies with previously used calendars.
Additionally, using this calendar, Herod’s death, which is well attested in Roman records, is given as 4 B.C. (before Christ) which can hardly be accurate. Herod was very much alive when Christ was born, and lived for some time afterwards, according to both the Gospels and Roman sources. He was the one who ordered the killing of all male children under the age of two around Bethlehem in order to get rid of the Christ child whom he considered a rival king. From this incident alone, (and there are others to consider), the latest date for His birth would therefore be about 6 B.C, using the same calendar.
After His birth, magi, ‘wise men from the East’ came to see Him, having seen His star in the sky while in their home country. They gave him three gifts from their treasures: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We are not told their names or number. But probably from these three gifts has arisen the legend that there were three of them. In some circles they are even given names whose origins are unknown.
They are named as Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthasar, and are assigned roles, namely:
• Melchior, King of Arabia: often depicted with long white hair with white beard; and wearing a gold cloak. Supposed to have brought the Gold.
• Gaspar (or Caspar): King of Sheba and often shown with brown hair and corresponding brown beard; also shown in green cloak, with a gold crown bearing green jewels. Supposedly brought the Frankincense.
• Balthazar: King of Egypt with black skin and beard; often pictured wearing a purple cloak. Allegedly brought the Myrrh.
Similar to this is the legend of Father Christmas (UK and Europe) and Santa Claus (USA origin), two originally different characters that have now merged to become one. He is often depicted as coming from the North Pole in freezing weather and riding in a sleigh drawn by reindeer and carrying gifts for children! He puts these in stockings after coming down chimneys while everyone is asleep. If the gifts supposedly distributed by Santa Claus or Father Christmas are reminiscent of the visit of the magi, then he should come from east of Palestine, not from the North Pole!
There are obvious commercial interests involved in building up this legend, the promotion of which has now become a veritable industry year by year. Interestingly, the legend is more prominent in the wealthy countries of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Not all countries have snow, and chimneys. December time is summer in the southern hemisphere but the incongruity of polar reindeer driving through the snow during summer in countries like Australia and New Zealand or most of South America does not faze the merchants.
We celebrate Christ’s birth as Christmas in December although He was probably born in a warmer season. We know this because the Gospel stories speak of shepherds as watching their flocks in an open field. It was to them that the announcement of the birth was first made by angels. Sheep are not kept out in open fields in wintertime when there is no grass for them to graze on. This time (December 25) was chosen for its celebration by the church to coincide with, and replace, the earlier very popular Roman pagan festivals of Saturnalia (December 17) and Dies Natalis or Sol Invictus, the ‘Birthday of the Unconquerable Sun’ (December 25).
Nothing much in this, of course. Celebrations are organised at convenient times, not necessarily on the exact dates of the events being celebrated. Birthdays are no exception and are often celebrated outside of their chronological periods, much like the late Queen’s birthday (21 April) which is usually celebrated on a Saturday in June in the UK, and on variable dates in other Commonwealth countries like Canada and Australia.
Considering the seasons of the major events in Christ’s life, His crucifixion and Resurrection, which are celebrated as Good Friday and Easter respectively, more likely that took place in winter. This is because the Gospels speak about the cold weather, with people warming themselves by an open fire in the High Priest’s courtyard, when He was brought there at night for trial. Thus, the timing of the two main annual Christian festivals is more for convenience than fact.
But does it matter?
