What Date Was Christ Actually Born?

SIR: This question is not only irrelevant but a total distraction as far as the joy of the moment is concerned. Yet many there are engaging in worthless debate and tearing themselves apart trying to disprove December 25 as the day Christ was born. According to them, December 25 was an imposition by Emperor Constantine, who on his conversion to Christianity, turned the pagan public holiday to the birthday of Christ! That to me sounds very gallantry and commendable, converting a pagan holiday to Christ’s birthday so everybody could celebrate Christ as the Son of God!

I don’t think it makes any difference on the date Christ was born, if the exact date has become a matter of contention. What I think matters here on earth and which informs the basis of the ongoing celebration among Christians and even non- Christians is the essence of the birth of Christ: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  -Isaiah 9:6

O yes, whether it’s October 31 or December 25, or any other date for that matter, that one chooses as the Saviour’s birthday, all that’s relevant is the fulfilment of God’s prophesy of “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”(Isaiah 7:14). And who says such an important event should not be marked in a fanfare? Even the angel of God who was sent to the earth to bring the good tidings of great joy, that “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”(Lk.2:10,11.), didn’t come alone with his head bowed. Nay! He was accompanied with the heavenly choir. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

More so you must realise that several years before then the whole of creation, in a suspended animation, had been waiting for the fulfilment of God’s prophesy of “Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”(Isaiah 7:14). And now indeed that the promised Messiah has finally arrived, it calls for celebration, it calls for joy.

Happy Christmas, everybody.

•Sly Edaghese,
Lagos.