12/21/2018 Pope Benedict XVI: December 25 as the Historical Date of the Christ's Birth - Taylor Marshall

Pope Benedict XVI: December 25 as the

Historical Date of the Christ’s Birth
by Dr Taylor Marshall

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I n two previous posts, we examined how the Bible indicates that Christ was born in late
December and how Mary and the Apostolic tradition prior to Constantine confirm December
25 as the historical date of Christ’s birth at Bethlehem. Today we turn to our present Holy Father,
Pope Benedict XVI.

““
Please read:

Part 1: Was Christ Truly Born on Dec 25 – A Biblical Argument for Christ’s Birth in Late
December

“
Part 2: December 25 is the Historical Birthday of Christ: Mary and Tradition

In 2000, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger wrote in his book The Spirit of the Liturgy that a Jewish
tradition holds that Abraham almost sacrificed Isaac on Mount Moriah on March 25. Mount
Moriah is Jerusalem (see 2 Chron 34:1), and March 25 is the date on which Christ was crucified on
the solar calendar (Easter like the Mosaic Passover is calculated by a lunar phenomenon). I think
that you can see that there is a geographical and temporal parallel here. We see that the Father
willingly offers His only-begotten Son.

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12/21/2018 Pope Benedict XVI: December 25 as the Historical Date of the Christ's Birth - Taylor Marshall

Cardinal Ratzinger also noted that March 25 was thought to be the first day of creation. Hence,
March 25 has a cosmic significance. His Eminence also describes how the zodiac and Aries relates
to this cosmic significance in the Spring, but that is a bit too much for our purposes. The important
thing is that March 25 was the traditional date for the creation of the world, for the sacrifice of
Abraham, and for the sacrifice of God the Son.
On pages 107-108, Cardinal Ratzinger makes the observation that the day of Christ’s death was
also reckoned as the day he was conceived by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. March 25, then was the annunciation of Gabriel. Add nine months to that and you arrive at
December 25 as His birthday.
Ratzinger then dismisses what he calls “these old theories” that teach that December 25 was
chosen to cover over pagan holidays. Rather, the Holy Father recognizes December 25 as the true
birthday of Christ the Lord. He expands that this alignment of meanings has liturgical significance.
While we’re on the topic, Pope Saint Leo the Great spoke of the cosmic meaning of Christ’s birth in
the depth of winter:

“
But this Nativity which is to be adored in heaven and on earth is suggested to us by no day
more than this when, with the early light still shedding its rays on nature, there is borne in
upon our senses the brightness of this wondrous mystery. (St Leo Magnus, Sermo 26)

Also, Pope Benedict XIV argued in 1761 that the church fathers would have known the correct date
of birth from Roman census records.
Merry Christmas!

“ “ ““
Part 1: Was Christ Truly Born on Dec 25 – A Biblical Argument for Christ’s Birth in
Late December

Part 2: December 25 is the Historical Birthday of Christ: Mary and Tradition

“
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12/21/2018 Pope Benedict XVI: December 25 as the Historical Date of the Christ's Birth - Taylor Marshall

Category: Liturgy Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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