Why Shepherds and Stars Suggest Jesus Was an April Baby

Was Jesus Born in December? Let’s Explore the Facts

If you’ve ever sung “Silent Night” while sipping hot cocoa by the fire, you’ve likely pictured baby Jesus lying in a manger on a cold December evening. It’s a comforting and iconic image, but here’s a little-known bit of trivia: scholars and historians widely agree that Jesus probably wasn’t born in December. Evidence suggests that the Savior of the world made His earthly debut in early spring — possibly in April.

Curious? Let’s dig into the fascinating details behind the story we’ve told for centuries.

Shepherds, Stars, and Springtime

The Gospel of Luke offers one of the most beloved accounts of Jesus’ birth, complete with shepherds watching their flocks by night (Luke 2:8). While this detail sounds cozy in a Christmas carol, it’s not what you’d expect during the cold, rainy winter months in Bethlehem.

In first-century Judea, shepherds typically kept their flocks outdoors during lambing season, which falls in the spring. By December, sheep would have been corralled for the colder months. This seemingly small clue nudges the Nativity story out of winter and into the temperate days of spring when lambs were born — an image rich with symbolism, given Jesus’ title as the “Lamb of God.”