Giotto: The Nativity The Nativity, fresco by Giotto, 1303–05, depicting the birth of Jesus; in the Arena Chapel (Scrovegni Chapel), Padua, Italy. (more) When Was Jesus Born? Written by Charles Preston Charles Preston is Associate Editor for Religion at Encyclopædia Britannica. Charles Preston Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Nov. 21, 2025 •History One might be inclined to think that when Jesus was born is obvious: on December 25, Christmas, in the year 0. And one might think his birth marked an epochal shift, after which the date is reckoned as ad (anno Domini, meaning “the year of our Lord” in medieval Latin—not “after death,” as some people think) and before which it is bc (“before Christ”). The truth is, no one really knows the year, or even...

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