Who is Jesus? · Teleios
Step 11 of 11
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Was Jesus born on December 25?
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Read the verses around it (Luke 2:8-12)
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Read the verses around it (Romans 14:5-8)
5One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Read the verses around it (Luke 22:19-20)
19And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
Think first
Read Luke 2:8. Where were the shepherds at night when Jesus was born?
Show the explanation
Our explanation
The Bible never gives the date of Jesus' birth. Luke says there were "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night," which suggests a milder season than a Judean winter.
December 25 was chosen centuries later, and was already a winter festival in the Roman world. The apostles warned that pagan customs would mix into the church (Acts 20:29-30).
Jesus did not ask us to remember his birthday. He asked us to remember his death: "this do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). And on special days, Paul writes: "One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
Our understanding: Bible Basics teaches that believers do not keep December 25 as a religious feast, though many use the holiday to be with family and fellow believers. This touches cherished traditions, so weigh it gently. Read Romans 14 and Luke 22 and think about what Jesus asked us to remember.
“How sweet are thy words unto my taste!”
Psalm 119:103
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