Is there evidence that Jesus was born in Bethlehem?

Thousands of Christian pilgrims streamed into Bethlehem Monday night to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It’s the major event of the year in that West Bank town. But Israeli archaeologists now say there is strong evidence that Christ was born in a different Bethlehem, a small village in the Galilee.

Why Jesus was not born on Christmas?

The overwhelming majority of Christians mark the birth of Jesus on December 25. But there’s no biblical reason to celebrate Christmas on this particular day. As Christians developed the theological idea that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same date, they set the date of his birth nine months later.

Where is Bethlehem where Jesus was born located?

Bethlehem lies 10 kilometres south of the city of Jerusalem, in the fertile limestone hill country of the Holy Land. Since at least the 2nd century AD people have believed that the place where the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem, now stands is where Jesus was born.

Is December 25 really Jesus birthday?

Dec. 25 is not the date mentioned in the Bible as the day of Jesus’s birth; the Bible is actually silent on the day or the time of year when Mary was said to have given birth to him in Bethlehem. The earliest Christians did not celebrate his birth. 25 became known as Jesus’s birthday.

What pagan god was born on December 25th?

Every winter, Romans honored the pagan god Saturn, the god of agriculture, with Saturnalia, a festival that began on December 17 and usually ended on or around December 25 with a winter-solstice celebration in honor of the beginning of the new solar cycle.

Why was Jesus born on the 25th of December?

Shepherds were not in the fields during December. History convincingly shows that December 25 was popularized as the date for Christmas, not because Christ was born on that day, but because it was already popular in pagan religious celebrations as the birthday of the sun.

What was the real date of Jesus birth?

Long ago, I accepted the idea that December 25 was probably not the actual date of Christ’s birth, that the real date was unknown but probably in the spring. Knowing the exact date doesn’t really impact the liturgical celebration, after all.

Is the Nativity of John the Baptist the same as Jesus’s birth?

Of course Jesus, the Lamb of God, was born at the same time and in the same place as all of the Passover lambs. Of course this time was such that the day of His entry to and exit from the world are the same. Of course the nativity of John the Baptist is when it is because Jesus’s birth really is when it is.

Where was the shepherds at the time of Jesus birth?

Shepherds were in the fields watching their flocks at the time of Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:7-8). Shepherds were not in the fields during December.