The debate over Christmas has raged for centuries. Was Jesus really born on December 25th? Is celebrating this date participating in paganism? Should believers avoid this time of year altogether?
These questions deserve thoughtful, biblical answers—not knee-jerk reactions based on memes or cultural assumptions.
The Problem with December
Let’s be honest: the Bible gives us compelling reasons to doubt a December nativity. Three scriptural arguments stand out clearly.
First, consider Mary’s condition. Would God, to fulfil the prophecy of Micah 5:2 regarding the Messiah being born in Bethlehem, really force a heavily pregnant woman to travel 70 miles through the Judean hills in the dead of winter? Matthew 24:20 records Jesus himself warning the future believing remnant to pray their flight wouldn’t occur in winter—recognising the extreme hardship such travel would cause.
Second, examine the shepherds. Luke 2:8 places them “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.” Historical evidence shows that first-century Jewish shepherds withdrew their flocks from open fields during the winter months. There simply wouldn’t be adequate pasture in December. The shepherds’ presence outdoors points to a different season entirely.
Third, think about Roman efficiency. Caesar Augustus ordered a census for taxation purposes (Luke 2:1-3). Would Rome enforce such an unpopular decree during the most inconvenient season? The empire typically chose times of “least resistance”—likely autumn, when agricultural work was complete and people could travel to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles anyway.
These arguments make a strong case: Jesus probably wasn’t born in December.
The Course of Abijah
But here’s where it gets interesting. The Bible doesn’t leave us completely in the dark about timing.
Luke 1:5 introduces us to Zacharias, “a certain priest…of the course of Abijah.” This seemingly minor detail unlocks a remarkable chronology.
In 1 Chronicles 24, we discover that King David organized the priesthood into 24 courses or divisions. Each course served at specific times throughout the year. Abijah was the eighth course. Historical records and biblical cross-references in Nehemiah 12 confirm this structure continued even after the Babylonian captivity.
When was the course of Abijah scheduled to serve? Twice annually—once in December (December 6-12) and once in June (June 13-19).
Now watch what happens in the biblical narrative.
While Zacharias was executing his priestly duties—burning incense in the temple—the angel Gabriel appeared with stunning news: his elderly, barren wife Elizabeth would conceive a son. As confirmation, Zacharias was struck mute until the prophecy’s fulfillment.
Luke 1:23 tells us explicitly: “As soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.” He went home immediately after his service ended.
The text continues: “And after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived” (Luke 1:24).
If Zacharias served during the June course of Abijah (June 13-19), traveled home over the next few days, and Elizabeth conceived shortly thereafter, we’re looking at a conception date around June 23-24.
Six Months Later
Fast forward to one of Scripture’s most magnificent moments.
The angel Gabriel appears to Mary with an announcement that would change human history: “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
But Gabriel doesn’t stop there. He provides Mary with a confirming sign: “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren” (Luke 1:36).
Six months.
Elizabeth was six months pregnant when Mary received this announcement. If Elizabeth conceived around June 23-24, six months later places us at approximately December 25.
This is when the central miracle occurred—not Christ’s birth, but His incarnation.
The Word Made Flesh
John 1:14 declares: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
When did the Word become flesh? Not at birth, but at conception—when the Holy Spirit miraculously caused Mary to conceive the Son of God. This is the foundation stone of Christian faith, the moment deity took on humanity.
Consider the timeline: If Mary conceived around December 25 and carried a normal nine-month pregnancy, when would Jesus be born?
Late September.
And what happens in late September on the Jewish calendar? The Feast of Tabernacles—beginning on the 15th day of the seventh month (Leviticus 23:34-42).
Tabernacles: God With Us
The Feast of Tabernacles was the seventh feast, celebrated in the seventh month, lasting seven days (plus an eighth day of solemn assembly). The number seven represents perfection and completion throughout Scripture.
During this feast, Israelites were commanded to build temporary shelters—booths or tabernacles—and dwell in them for seven days. Why? To remember how God dwelt among them during the wilderness wanderings and to anticipate the day when God would fully tabernacle with His people.
Remarkably, from the days of Joshua until Nehemiah’s time, Israel had never properly kept this feast (Nehemiah 8:17). The typology awaited its fulfilment.
Then came Emmanuel—literally “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).
The Word became flesh and “dwelt” among us. That Greek word for “dwelt” carries the meaning “to tabernacle, to pitch one’s tent, to abide in a tabernacle.”
Could it be a coincidence that Emmanuel—God with us—was born during the very feast designed to celebrate God dwelling among His people?
Redeeming the Date
This chronology resolves the December dilemma beautifully.
December 25 isn’t Christ’s birthday—it’s the approximate date of His miraculous conception. The stupendous moment when deity invaded humanity, when the eternal Word took on flesh in the womb of a virgin through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Satan, the master counterfeiter, established pagan winter festivals to corrupt this truth. The Roman Saturnalia and other celebrations weren’t the originals—they were demonic distortions of something genuinely sacred that God was doing.
Bible-believing people, who understand the above chronology, are not celebrating or Christening paganism by commemorating December 25. Rather, we’re focusing on the central miracle of the Nativity narrative, the Incarnation, where God becomes flesh and dwells among us.
Freedom in Grace
Does this mean you must celebrate December 25? Absolutely not. Romans 14:5 reminds us: “One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”
Liberty works both ways. If your conscience leads you not to observe this day, you’re free. But don’t impose that standard on others who, with informed biblical understanding, choose to commemorate the incarnation.
The danger isn’t in the date—it’s in legalism. When we start mandating behaviour for acceptance, we’ve abandoned grace. When believers refuse to attend family gatherings or share the gospel with lost relatives because it happens on December 25, something has gone terribly wrong.
The Real Miracle
At the end of the day, here’s what matters: Without the incarnation, there is no cross. Without the cross, there is no resurrection. Without the resurrection, there is no redemption.
The miracle we celebrate isn’t wrapped in cultural traditions or calendar debates. It’s wrapped in the profound mystery of God becoming man—fully divine, fully human, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin, Emmanuel.
Whether you choose to mark December 25 or not, never lose sight of this truth: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And because He did, we who believe in His death, burial, and resurrection have eternal life.
That’s worth celebrating every single day of the year.
*Note: works by E.W. Bullinger and Richard Jordan were used to write this short article. To access the research and citations used to produce it, click here to check out the PDF notes.
Pastor Bryan Ross
Grace Life Bible Church
Grand Rapids, MI
Friday, December 19, 2025
Resources For Further Study
Redeeming December 25 (YouTube Video)
Was Christmas Illegal In the U.S. Until 1836?: Responding To A Popular Social Media Meme
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