What month was Jesus the Messiah born?
Now that we have incontrovertibly proven from the article “What year was Jesus the Messiah born?” that Jesus was born in the year 3 BC, the next question is what month was He born?
The popular belief is that He was born in December. But is this consistent with historical and Biblical accounts?
Census decreed by Augustus Caesar
First, as we learned from Luke's account and corroborated by reliable historical account, by decree of Augustus Caesar Joseph and Mary went to register in their native city of Bethlehem. We learned that the year was 3 BC.
William F. Ramsay, in his book Born at Bethlehem, expressed confidence that the normal time for Roman censuses was from August to October when weather was typically fair.
Now Luke said in Luke 2:6-7 that Jesus was born at that time.
Luke 2:6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Flock grazing in the fields
Now let's continue on with verse 8 of Luke 2::
Luke 2:8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Notice that the flock were out in the fields. This is one indication that the month cannot be December, because the flock would be in the barn or stable during the dead of winter.