I was first introduced to this whole idea not in a classroom or a book, but by my stepfather, whom I call Poppy. If you know Poppy (Monty Bennett), you know he always finds fascinating perspectives that make you stop and think about God in a deeper way.
One night he mentioned something he heard on Dr. Michael Heiser’s podcast, where Heiser talked about the possibility that Jesus may have been born on September 11, 3 B.C. Instead of brushing it off, Poppy dug in and shared it with me, because that’s what he does when I ask him questions.
Heiser credits the idea to the original researcher, Dr. Ernest L. Martin, whose work explores ancient calendars, priestly rotations, and astronomical alignments. It’s one of those topics that sounds strange at first… until you start looking at the details.
Here’s why some scholars think September 11th actually makes sense:
- Shepherds were outside at night, something more common in fall than winter. This doesn’t prove a September birth, but it makes early fall far more likely than late December.
- The priestly calendar, when mapped out, points toward early September.
- Revelation 12 describes an astronomical alignment that happened on September 11, 3 B.C., which Martin originally proposed and Heiser later explained in accessible language.
And here’s how those pieces connect:
| Claim | Biblical Verses | How Scholars Connect It |
| Shepherds outside at night | Luke 2:8 | Shepherds normally stayed out in fall/spring, not winter → fall birth more likely |
| Priestly calendar → September birth | Luke 1:5, 1 Chronicles 24:10, Luke 1:26 | Zechariah’s division → John’s conception → Jesus’ conception → ~September |
| Revelation 12 astronomical sign | Revelation 12:1–2 | Astronomers noted a matching sky pattern on Sept. 11, 3 B.C. |
It’s interesting, and honestly kind of cool to think about, especially when it comes from someone like Poppy, who loves showing us new angles that make faith feel more real, not less.
But here’s the truth:
The miracle of Christmas doesn’t depend on the date. It depends on the God who showed up.
Early Christians didn’t pick December 25 at random. They chose it as a symbol of light in darkness, hope in the cold, and the idea that Jesus’ arrival changed the world no matter what day it happened on.
That’s what Advent is about.
The word means arrival, and it’s less about pinpointing Jesus’ birthday and more about preparing our hearts…. for when He came and for when He comes again.
In a world that never slows down, Advent invites us into things most of us aren’t naturally good at:
- waiting
- paying attention
- making room for God in real life, not just the polished version of it
And no, the September 11th theory doesn’t ruin Christmas.
If anything, it reminds us that Jesus was born into actual history, under real stars, into a world with real problems and real people who desperately needed Him.
Faith isn’t scared of questions. Curiosity doesn’t break it; it builds it.
So whether Jesus was born on December 25th or September 11th…one thing stays the same:
He came.
He is coming again.
And Advent is our chance to get ready.
Because the real miracle of Christmas isn’t the date; it’s the Savior who stepped into our world.
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About Future Voices
Future Voices is a Sunday-morning column in The Dallas Express in which young Texans share how faith and perseverance shape their lives. These stories remind readers that God often speaks through the honesty and courage of the next generation.
