I´ve always thought he was born earlier than the scholars claimed. If you match up the timeline of the Annunciation with the Visitation, just by going from the Bible account alone, there wouldn´t be a span of several years between the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus. They would have been much closer in age.

Many early accounts have Herod dying as early as 4 B.C. Couple that with the fact that by the time the magi got there the Holy Family was apparently living in a house (forget what you thought about the wise men coming to the stable) and most scholars believe Jesus was probably born somewhere between 6 and 4 B.C. and probably sometime in the fall. No big deal, the only thing that matters is that He was born and lived and died and rose and still lives.

I hate to criticize the Pope, but does he really need to be spending his time on this?

This is a matter of faith. If faith dictates 25th December, 1AD, then that´s what it is.

There was more than 1 Herod.

According to MSNBC, and liberals everywhere, the messiah was born in 1961 in Hawaii. And we all know they´re always right. /s

#4, it isn´t a matter of faith. The date doesn´t matter at all.

That he was born of a virgin, died and was buried and yet rose again . . . that is a matter of faith.

Hang on. Do any of you realize the head of the Roman Catholic faith, the founder and builder of Western Civilization has fundamentally altered the world´s view of Time? And events relative to Timing?

Besides, the Pope did not even menton the 77th Meridian, upon which the entire Gregorian calendar hangs.

(head slap

The "God Meridian". Holy criminy, whatever is going on is far far deeper than this bit of schlock reporting in a British rag.

This is huge stuff, folks, like an iceberg.

(not to mention handing the enemies of Christ enormous reams of ammunition to further savage the Christian faith)

Kramer? Is that you?!

So?

I do not think that the pope or anyone else living today or many years ago knows exactly when Jesus was born. I agree with previous poster - I do not care - we are commemorating his birth, not the day or hour or month or year.

Nor was he born on the 25th of December. That date was chosen by the 1st Holy Roman emperor to coincide with the existing Pagan holidays of the winter solstice. This was to make the transition to "official" Christianity easier - a transition that had more to do with delegitimizing his opposition by eliminating the pagan priests who supported them. Does not matter. The ways in which God works are numerous and amazing. He knew. He knew from the beginning what would happen. Of all the choices we can make God knows which one we do. So 25th of December it is. All that matters is the sacrifice of Christ. And should we not celebrate that every day?

And the name wasn´t Jesus, it was Raul.

I saw a program on EWTN a few years ago where someone gave some very good evidence that Jesus was born in June 2 BC and that the Magi visited him on December 25 of that year.

Love it #6

This isn´t exactly news. I was in Catholic school in the 40s and 50s and it was the general belief that Jesus was born around 6 B.C. but that no one knows for sure.

Doesn´t matter, the world is ending on 12-21-12.

Read about this about 20 years ago. After many years of research, the study concluded that Christ was born in March of the year 9BC.

It appears then that the present year is already 2016 or 2018 since it is based as AD (Anno Domini - the year of our Lord) and thus had to begin at his birth. BC is (Before Christ)so ended at his birth.

That means the Dec 21, 2012 of the Mayan calendar was years ago and the end didn´t happen unless it happened and no one noticed.

We do know the time when Roman taxes were collected, so it does comport with the winter months, however, there is nothing to mark Dec 25th as the date.
What´s important to know about the birth of the Savior is:

His birth, life, and death was prophesied many times in the Old Testament.
It was said that the seed of the woman (Jesus) would have His head bruised (crucifixion) by the serpent (Satan), but that He would crush its head.
It was said He would be born of a virgin girl.
It was said there would be a celestial sign to His birth.
He was born in a feed lot for animals, not in a building.
He was wrapped in burial wrapping, as they had no blankets. This was a foreshadowing of His death.
He was placed in a feeding trough (manger) for his crib.
Both His parents were of the line of David.
In Jewish Law, racial Jews descend through the maternal line, so He is a racial descendant of David.
In Jewish Law, a step-son can become a full son in the eyes of the Law through adoption, which Joseph, descendant of David, performed, making Jesus the legitimate first-born and heir of Joseph.
Therefore Christ was doubly heir to the royal throne of David, fulfilling yet another Old Testament prophecy.
It was also said He would be rejected by His people.
It was also said He would be "hung from a tree."

What matters most to man is to accept the saving work of Christ on his behalf on the cross. By accepting His work on your behalf you enter into eternal union with Him and become a permanent entry in the Lamb´s Book of Life in Heaven, to live eternally with Him.

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31

Year doesn´t matter, date doesn´t really matters. Jesus Christ died for your sins and rose again and offers eternal life if you believe in Him. That matters.

@20, some would argue that one of the aftershocks happened back on November 6.

The date-day, month, year-doesn´t matter. We celebrate His birth. But the most important date we celebrate is Easter. That He was crucified, died, was buried and rose again is what really matters in Salvation history. Celebrate His birth, His death for our sake, and His glorious resurrection. AMDG

What buster and number 21 said!

#12 and all others who realize it´s who He was and what He did for those who come to believe in Him that matters-- thanks and Happy Thanksgiving

Shouldn´t we be celebrating Christmas on December 31?