When Was Jesus Born?

 

The Bible's answer

The Bible does not give a specific date for the birth of Jesus Christ, as these reference works show:

* "The true birth of Jesus Christ is unknown." - New Catholic Encyclopedia.

* "The exact date of Christ's birth is not known - Encyclopedia of Early Christianity. 

While the BIble does not directly answer the question, "When was Jesus born?" It does describe two events surrounding his birth that lead manu to conclude that he was not born in December.

Not in Winter

1. The registration.  Shortly before Jesus was born, Caesar Agustus issued a decree ordering "all the inhabited earth to be registered."  Everyone had to register in "his own city," which might have required a journey of a week or more. (Luke 2:1-3)  That order-probably made to support taxation and military conscription-would have been unpopular at any time of the year, burt it is unlikely that Augustus would have provoked his subjects further by forcing many of them to make long trips during during the cold winter. 

2. The sheep.  Shepherds were "living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks." (Luke 2:8) The book of Life in the Time of Jesus notes that flocks lived in the open air from "the week the Passover [late March]" through mid-November.  It then adds: They passed the winter under cover; and from this alone it may be seen that the traditional date for Christmas, in winter, is unlikely, since the Gospel says that the shepherds were in the fields."

In early fall

We can estimate when  Jesus was born by counting backward from his death on Passover, Nisan 14 in the spring of the year 33 C.E. (John 19:14-16) Jesus was about 30 years old when he began his three-and-a-half-year ministruy, so he was born in the early fall of 2 B.C.E. - LUKE 3:23.

Why Is Christmas on December 25?

Since there is no evidence that the birth of Jesus Christ occurred on December 25, why is Christmas celebrated on this date?  The Encyclopedia Britannica says that church leaders probably chose it "to coincide with pagan Roman festival marking the 'birthday of the unconquered sun,"at the time of the winter solstice. According to the Encyclopedia Americana, many scholars believe that this was done "in order to  make Christianity more meaningful to pagan converts." 

Next time: What is Prophecy? - The Bible's answer

From the jw.org publications

She Opened Her Heart To God in Prayer - TWO REMARKABLE PRAYERS

 

Hannah's two prayers, recorded at 1 Samuel 1:11 and 2:1-10, contain a number of outstanding features.  Consider just a few:

* Hannah addressed the first of two prayers to "Jehovah of armies." She is the first person in the Bible record to be quoted as using that title.  It occurs  a total of 285 times in the Bible and refers to God's command over a vast array of spirit sons.

* Note that Elkanah uttered the second prayer, not when her son was born, but when she and Elkanah offered him up for God's service at Shiloah.  So Hannah's great joy lay, not in silencing her rival, Peninnah, but in being blessed by Jehovah.

* When Hannah said:  "My horn is indeed exalted in Jehovah," she may had in mind the ox, a powerful beast that uses his horns mightly .  Hannah was, in effect, saying: 'Jehovah, you make me strong.' - 1 SAMUEL 2:1.

* Hannah's words about God's "anointed one" are considered prophetic.  The expression is the same one rendered "messiah," and Hannah is the first person in the Bible record to use it to refer to a future anointed king. - 1 SAMUEL 2:10.

* Jesus' mother, Mary, about 1,000 years later, echoed some of Hannah's expressions in her own words of praise to Jehovah. - LUKE 1:46-55. (See chapter 17.) 

Next time: When Was Jesus Born? -The Bible's Answer

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She Opened Her Heat to God in Prayer - "There Is No Rock Like Our God"

 

Hannah then uttered a prayer that God deemed worthuy of inclusion in his inspired Word. As you read her words, recorded at Samuel 2:1-10, you will find the depth of her faith conveyed in every line.  She praised Jehovah for his marvelous use to power-his unmatched ability to humble the haughty, to bless the oppressed, and to end life or even to save it from death. She praised her Father fo rhis unique holiness, his justice, and his faithfulness.  With good reason, Hannah could sat: "There is no rock like our God." Jehovah is completely reliable and unchanging, a refuge for all the oppressed and downtrodden who turn to him for help.

Little Samuel was certainly privileged to have a mother who was so filled with faith in Jehovh. Though he surely missed her as he grew up, he never felt forgotten. Year after year, Hannah would come back to Shiloh, bring a sleeveless coat for his service at the tabernacle.  Every stitch born evidence of her love and care for her son. (Read 1 Samuel 2:19.)  We can just picture her putting the new coat on the boy, smoothing it out, and looking fondly at him while speaking kind, encouraging words. Samuel was blessed to have such a mother, and he grew up to be a blessing to his parents and to all of Israel.

As for Hannah, she was not forgotten either, Jehovah blessed her with fertility, and she bore Elkanah five more children.  (1 Samuel 2:21)  Perhaps Hannah's  greatest blessing, though, was the bond between her and her Father, Jehovah which grew stronger through the years. May the same happen to you, as you imitate the faith of Hannah.

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to  God In Prayer - Two Remarkable Prayers

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She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "There Is No Rock Like Our God"

 

The next morning, Hannah returned to the tabernacle with Elkanah.  She likely told him of her request and her commitment, for the Mosaic Law said that a husband had the right to nulify a vow made by his wife without his consent.  (Numbers 30:10-15)  But that faithful man made no such move. Rather, he and Hannah worshipped Jehovah together at the tabernacle before heading homeward.

Just when did Peninnah realize that she had lost her power to upset Hannah? The account does not say, but the expression "self-concerned no moree" suggests that Hannah's spirits rose from that time forward.  At any rate, Peninnah soon found that her spiteful conduct produced no effect.  The Bible never mentioned her name again. 

As the months passed, Hannah's peace of mind flowered unbridled delight. She was pregnant! In her joy, Hannah never for a moment forgot where this blessing had come from.  When that boy was born, she chose the name Samuel which means "Name of God" and evidently refers to calling on the divine name, as Hannah had done.  That year, she did not join Elkanah and the family for the trek to Shiloh.  She stayed home with the child for three years until he was weaned. Then she gathered her strength for the day on which she would have to part with her beloved son. 

The parting could not have been easy.  Of course, Hannah knew that Samuel would be well cared for in Shiloh, perhaps by the hands of some of the women who served at the tablernacle.  Still, he was so youn, and what mother does not long to be with her child?  Nonetheless, Hannah and Elkanah brought the boy, not begrudginly, but gratefully.  They offered sacrifices at God's house, and they presented Samuel to Eli, reminding him of the vow Hannah had made three years earlier. 

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "There Is No Rock Like Our God - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications 

She Opened Hre Heart to God in Prayer - Conclusion of "Self-Concerned No More

 

Humans, however, are not as uunderstanding and empathetic as Jehovah is.  As Hannah wept and prayed, she was startled by a voice. It was Eli, the high priest, who had been observing her.  He said: "How long will you behave drunk?  Put away your wine from upon you." Eli had notice Hannah's quivering lips, her sobs, and her emtional demeanor. Instead of inquring what was wrong, he jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk.  - 1 SAMUEL 1:12-14. 

How hurtful for Hannah, in that moment of angush, to have to face such a baseless accusation-and that from a man who held such an honored position!  Nevertheless, she again swet a praiseworthy example of faith.  She did let a man's imperfections get in the way of her worship of Jehovah.  She answered Eli respectfully and explained her situaion.  He replied, perhaps in a chastened and softern tone: "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant your petition that you have asked of him." - 1 SAMUEL 1:15-17. 

What was the effecet on Hannah of opening her heart to Jehovah and worshipping him there at his taberbnacle?  The account reads: "The woman proceeded to go on her way and to eat, and her face became concerned no more." (1 Samuel 1:18) The Jerusalem BIble her reads: Her countenance ws no more sad."  Hannah felt relieved.  She had, in a sense, transferred the weight of her emotional burden to the shoulders infinitely standing broader and stronger than her own, those of her heavenly Father. (Read Pslam 55:22)  Is any problem too heavy for him? No-not then-not now, not ever! 

When we feel loaded down, overwhelmed, or overcome with sadness, we do well to follow Hannah's example amd speakk only to the One whom the Bible calls the "Hearer of prayer."  (Psalm 65:2)  If we do so in faith, we too may find that our sadness is replaced by "the peace of God that excels all thought." -PHILIPPIANS 4:6, 7. 

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "There Is No Rock Like Our God"

From the jw.org  publications

She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "Self-Concerned No More"

 

In the early hours, the household was bustling.  Everyone was getting ready for the trip, even the children.  The journey to Shiloh would take the large family across more than 20 mil/es of the hilly country of Ephraim.  The trek would last a day or two on foot. Hannah knew how her rival wife would act.  However, Hannnah did not stay at home. She thus set a worthy example for  worshippers of God to this day. It is never wise to let misconduct of others interfere with our worship of God. Were we to do so, we would miss out on th every blessings that strengthen us to endure. 

After a long day of walking on winding mountain roads, the large family at last approached Shiloah.  There it say, on a hill ringed by higher hills. As they approached,  Hannah likely thought a great deal  about what she would say in prayer to Jehovah.  Once they arrived, the family shared a meal.  Hannah pulled away from the group as soon as she could and made her way to the tabernacle.  High Priest Eli was there, sitting near the doorpost.  But Hannah's focus as on her God. Here at the tabernacle, she felt confident that she would be heard.  If no one else could fully understand her plight, her Father in heaven could.  Her bitterness welled up within her, and she began to weep. 

As the sobs racked her body, Hannah spoke within herself to Jevovah.  Her lips quivered as she mental/lhy formed the words to express her pain. And she prayed at length, pouring out her heart to her Father. She did more, though, than just ask God to fulfill her desperate urge to bear offspring.  Hannah was keen not only to receive blessings from her God but also to give him what she could. So she made a vow, say that if she had a son, she would dedicate the child to a life of service to Jehovah. - 1 SAMUEL 1:9-11.

Hannah then set an example for all of God's servants when it comes to prayer. Jehovah kindly invites he people to speak to hm openly, without reservation, pouring out their concerns before him as a trusting child would to a loving parent.  (Read PSALM 62:8; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:17.) The apostle Peter was inspired to write  these comforting words about prayer to Jehovah: "Throw all  your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you." - 1 PETEAR 5:7.

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - Conclusion of "Self-Concerned No More"

From the jw.org publications 

She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer

 

"Why Does  Your Heart Feel Bad?" 

Peninnah's favorite opportunity, it seems, came at the time of the actual  prilgrimage to Shiloh.  To each of Peninnah's  many children-all her sons and her daughters"-Elkanah gave portions of the sacrifices offered to Jehovah.  Beloved Hannah, though received a special portion.  Jealous Peninnah then so lorded over  Hanna and reminded her of her barrenness that the poor woman gave way to weeping and even lost her appetite.  Elkanah could not help but notice that  is dear Hannah was distressed and was not eating, so he attempted to comfort her.  "Hannah," he asked, "why do you weep, and why do you not eat, and why does your heart feel bad?  Am I not better to you than ten sons?" - 1 SAMUEL 2:4-8. 

To his credit, Elkanah discerned that Hannah's distress had to do with her barrenness. And Hannah surely treasured his kind assurances of love.  But Elkanah did not mention Peninnah's  malice; nor does the Bible record suggest that Hannah told him of it. Perhaps she saw that exposing Peninnah would only make her situation worse.  Would Elkanah really change things?  Might not Peninnah's contempt for Hannah only deepen, and would not the children and the servants of that spiteful woman follow suit? Hannah could only feel more and more  like an outcast in her own household.

Whether Elkanah knew of the full scope of Peninnah's petty meanness or not, Jehovah God saw it all.  His Word reveals the whole picture, thus providing a solemn warning to any who indulge in seemingly minor jealous and hateful acts. On the other hand, the innocent and the peaceable, like Hannah, can find comfort in knowing that the God of justice sets all manners right in his own  time and in his own way. (Read Deuteronomy 32:4.)  Perhaps Hannah knew as much, for it was to Jehovah that she turned for help.

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to Jehovah in Prayer - "Self-Concerned No More" 

From the jw.org publications

She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer

"Why Does Your Heart Feel Bad?"

The Bible revealsww two big problems in Hannah's life.  She had little control over the first and none at all over the second. In the first place, she was in a polygamous marriage, with a rival wife who hated her. In the second place, she was barren.  That condition is difficult in any wife who longs to bear children; But in Hannah's time and culture, it was source of instense grief. Each family counted on offspring to carry on the family name. Barrenness seemed a bitter reproach and shame.

Hannah might have borne her burden with fortitude had it not been for Peninnah. Polygamy was never an ideal situation. Rivalry, strife, ad heartache were all too common. The practice was far from the standard of monogamy that God had set  in the garden of Eden.  (Genesis 2:24) The Bible thus paints a grim portrait of pologamy, and the poignant depiction of life within Elkanah's household is one of the telling brushstrokes in that picture.

Elkanah loved Hannah the most. Jewish tradition has it that he married Hannah first and that Peninnah came along some years later.  At any rate, Peninnah, was deeply jealous of Hannah, found many ways to make her suffer.  Peninnah's great advantage over Hannahy had to do with fertility.  Peninnah produced one offspring after another, and her self-importance grew with each new child.  Instead of feeling sorry for Hannah and comforting her in her disapppointment, Peninah played on that sensitive point.  The Bible says that Peninnah vexed Hannah sorely "for the sake of making her feel disconnected." (1 Samuel 1:6)  Peninnah's actions were deliberate. She wanted to hurt Hannah, and she succeeded. 

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "Why  Does Your Heart Feel Bad?" - Conclusion 

From the jw.org publications 

She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer

 HANNAH busied herself with preparations for the trip, trying to keep her mind occupied.  It should have been a happy time; Elkanah, her husband, customarily took the whole family on these annual journeys to worshp at the tabernacle in Shiloh. Jehovah meant for such occasions to be joyful.  (Read Deuteronomy 16:15.) And no doubt Hannah, from her childhood on, had delighted in those festivals. But things had changed for her in recent years. 

She was blessed to have a husband who loved her.  However, Elkanah had another wife.  Her name was Peninnah, and she seemed intent on making Hannah's life miserable.  Peninnah had figured  out a way to make even these annual occasions a source of acute pain for Hannah. How?  More to the point, how did Hannah's faith in Jehovah help her to cope iwth what often seemed like an impossible situation?  If you face challenges that sap you of joy in life, you mauy find Hannah's story particulary moving.

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer - "Why Does Your Heart Feel Bad?" 

From the jw.org publications

HELP FOR THE FAMILY/PARENTIING - How to Communicate With Your Teenager - Conclusion

 

Stay calm.  "When we disagree, my mom takes offense at everything I say." says a teen named Kari.  "That just makes me upset, and the conversation snowballs into an argument."  Rather than overact, say something that "mirrors" your teen's feelings.  For example, instead of saying, "That's nothing to worry about!" say, "I can see how much that bothers you." - Bible principle: PROVERBS 10:19. 

To the extent possible, guide, don't dictate.  Your teen's abstract thinking skills are like muscles that need to be developed.  So when he faces a dilemma, do not do his "exercising"  for him.  As you discuss the matter, give him a chance to come up with some solutions of his own. Then, after you have brainstormed a few options, you could say:  "Those are a few possiblities.  Think them over for a day or two, and then we can get together againt to talk about which solution you prefer and  why." -Bible principle: HEBREWS 5:14. 

FOR TEENAGERS

Do you want your parents to extend you moree freedom?  Do you wish that they really  understood you?  You can make it easier for them to do both. How? When you hold backk, they cannot fully trust you-and trust is the key to your getting more freedom.

The point is, do not leave all communication up to your parents.  Do your part.  Tell your parents about your day. Ask them about theirs . If you have a complaint, learn how to express it respectfully.  Communication is a skill that you will need in adulthood.  Why not acquire it now? 

Next time: She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer

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