When was Jesus born?

We celebrate Jesus’ birth on 25 December. But that tradition developed much later. He was more likely born in springtime (March–June). That’s when shepherds would have been sleeping out in the fields to protect new-born lambs.

Shepherds and angels

Ever dressed up as a shepherd for a nativity play? They were tough guys living in the fields who were considered ‘unclean’ by religious people. What a brilliantly topsy-turvy fact that these poor men, these ‘wild outsiders,’ got the greatest display of angels in the whole Bible. God chose the low in society to be the first to welcome the baby Christ into the world. It’s a big clue about who Jesus came to help. Not the proud, religious elite but those who probably believed they weren’t good enough for God.

Jesus grew up in a poor family

Have you ever felt embarrassed because your parents couldn’t afford something? When Joseph and Mary dedicated Jesus, they couldn’t afford an impressive animal like a lamb. Instead, they gave the cheapest option – a pair of pigeons. Jesus grew up in a poor family who spent time on the run as refugees in Egypt, fleeing for their lives. Perhaps that’s why Jesus had so much compassion for the poor and oppressed people in his adult life – he’d been there.

Activity

Ask your parent or guardian if they ever lost you when you were young. How did they feel? What did they do to find you? How long were you lost for? Now, ask them to imagine what it would have been like for Joseph and Mary to spend three days searching for Jesus in the crowds in Jerusalem. I bet that felt like a long three days for them!