Jesus to be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

Actually, it is a wonderful example of God at work through circumstances! Have you ever wondered how God accomplishes His will? Sometimes we look at the events in our lives and complain. On other occasions we are surprised that God has answered our prayer through someone or by some event. That is what God did. He accomplished His will through other people. How did Joseph and Mary react? Did they know that God was at work?

Micah 5:2 records a prophecy that predicted that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, and Matt. 2:5-6 tells us that it was fulfilled. But the gospel of Luke records how God motivated this couple to make the trip to Bethlehem in time for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem and thus fulfill the prophecy. This is incredible! God used what appears to be random “circumstances” to accomplish His will. God motivated Caesar Augustus to take a census and thus accomplish His will.

Birth Date. When was Jesus born? Historical records suggest that Caesar Augustus reigned from 43 B.C. to A.D. 14. Herod reigned from 35 B.C. to 1 B.C. Quirinius reigned on 3-2 B.C. and A.D. 6-9. If we put this all together, we conclude that Jesus was born about 3-2 B.C. There is a full, detailed discussion about the date of Jesus birth in the Daniel study titled, “Messiah Is Alive.” We want to encourage you to read it. Isn’t it amazing what nuggets of information the Holy Spirit has left for us in the pages of scripture!

Season of His Birth. Have you ever wondered if Jesus was born on December 25? Several early church fathers claim that Jesus was born on December 25 or on January 06. The first date is supported by Clement of Alexandria, and the second one by Epiphanius (A.D. 315-403). Epiphanius says that Jesus was born on January 6 and was conceived on May 20. Epiphanius was very precise in his dating, giving numerous alternate dating methods not only for Jesus’ birth date but for the year of His birth as well. Hippolytus of Rome and John Chrysostom add support to a winter birth and give other supporting data for a December 25th birth date.