Jesus may have been born in March, April, May or August

Kate Orson says the Bible doesn’t teach us to celebrate Jesus’ birthday, but it does show us Jesus is more interested in our hearts

In the cold days of early January, many are feeling the post-Christmas blues, as they get back to work and school with resolutions to lose the excess pounds, and cut back on alcohol. Yet for some Christians, the celebration of Jesus’ birthday doesn’t actually occur until 6th January.  

The Eastern Orthodox, Coptic, Ethiopian traditions and some Amish communities all celebrate Jesus’ birth in January. As Veronica has mentioned, the reason for this difference in dates goes back to the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1582. The Julian calendar had been introduced by Julius Caesar but the Gregorian calendar replaced it to correct inaccuracies. However, some churches still used a revised Julian calendar, so Jesus’ birthday works out as being on 6th January. The churches agree on the original birth date; it’s just the actual day works out as being different because of the calendar.