The vast majority of Christian Churches proclaim that Jesus was born on the 25th December and it is on this date that Christians all over the world celebrate Christmas Day. Although the manner in which this occasion is observed raises many points of discussion, we are focusing attention only on whether or not Jesus was born on the 25th December. We quote the views and findings of some Christian authorities who believe that he was born at another time of the year.

Bishop Barnes writes:

There is, moreover, no authority for the belief that December 25th was the actual birthday of Jesus … Our Christmas Day seems to have been accepted about 300 AD. (Rise of Christianity)

Chambers Encyclopaedia states:

There is no authoritative tradition as to the day or month of Christ’s birth and some uncertainty exists as to the actual year. St. Clements of Alexandria refers to calculations which placed it in April or May.

The Encyclopaedia Britainnica informs us:

Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the Church, and before the 5th century there was no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come into the calendar. The exact day and year of Christ’s birth have never been satisfactorily settled.

According to the Holy Quran the birth of Jesus took place at a time when fresh dates are found on palm-trees in Judea. After delivering Jesus under a palm-tree an angel spoke to Mary saying:

And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree; it will drop upon thee fresh ripe dates. (19:26)

The Bible mentions that shepherds were watching their sheep at the time of Jesus’ birth which would have been most unlikely in December when the climate in Judea is extremely cold.

Source: Review of Religions

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Questions about Mary, Miraculous Birth of Jesus, Christmas, Atonement,

Old Scriptures

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Q1 @ 01:00 May I know how did Mary face the society which must be very hostile towards pregnancy out of wedlock. Her interaction with God was a personal experience which the Temple people did not believe. The Holy Quran was not there at that time.

Q2 @ 09:36 It is often argued that the miraculous birth of Jesus(as) puts him in the high status among the prophets not shared by anyone else, what is the Islamic view on it and does this birth put him with some kind of partnership with God?

Q3 @ 17:25 What is the origin of Christmas and if this is pagan custom what is the actual birth date or time of Jesus(as)?

Q4 @ 22:50 Where did the idea of atonement come from in Christianity? And how can we reject the idea?

Q5 @ 33:15 In articles of faith Muslims are required to believe in all scriptures, but in these scriptures we find contradiction even in basic beliefs and this puts them in doubt if they originated from same God, keeping this mind how can you follow their teachings with the teachings of the Holy Quran?

Faith Matters 31 December 2009.