Hi john,
For me, I don't believe the Scriptures give us any clear understanding as to exactly when Jesus was born. I'm not particularly influenced that it makes any difference, although it's a topic that certainly can be discussed. The enjoyment and celebration of the day that is honored as Christmas has only to do with the heart of the person sharing it. For me, I give thanks to God that He has allowed us this day to truly reflect on the final consummation of His great plan of our salvation.
Just as we celebrate and remember the death of Jesus on a day that likely wasn't the exact day of the year every year, it does allow believers a day in which they can give heartfelt thanks to God and His Son and Spirit for the working out of God's finished plan, as Jesus said.
So for me, I try not to get too involved in whether or not we celebrate either of these special days on the exact same day of the year that it might have happened in days past. I don't think that's what God asks of us. Paul wrote that we should not consider one day better than another, and while I enjoy the celebration and time of reflecting that these days allow, Christmas and Easter are just two other days of the year. But, they are days that are special to a born again believer in a different way than they are to the rest of the world. So I don't condemn the honoring of the days, so long as they are celebrated for the proper purpose in the believer's heart.
That's my 2¢ worth.
God bless,
In Christ, ted
