To many Americans, a day in late fall or winter begins with the scraping of frost or ice from the car windshield. After a long day at school or work, many of us drive, ride, or walk home in darkness because the sun has set earlier that afternoon. So, why do we celebrate Advent—the season of preparation for the joyous gift of Christ—during this coldest and darkest time of year? Do we know that Jesus was born on December 25? For that matter, why do we begin each new year on January 1? Wouldn’t we enjoy the holiday season more if it were in May?
Scripture says nothing about the time of year when Jesus was born, but the church has always recognized the Messiah’s birth in the darkest days of winter. The original date of Christmas was January 6. It was changed to December 25 in the fourth century.
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