All the hustle and bustle of the season is over, as the saying goes “all done and dusted”, well at least until next year, if we live to see it. Amid the hype of Christmas, most of us end up financially broke, not to mention the mental drain and stress this season can bring, but ironically, we’ll do it all over again.

The merchants are the happiest of all. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that for most businesses and corporations, the year end is December 31, right after the big boom in spending by the masses. This spending done mostly in the name of Jesus, who is supposedly the reason for the season.

There’s a problem with the date of December 25 as it has been scientifically proven that it is impossible that Jesus was born in December. The exact month and date of Jesus’s birth are unknown, as the Bible does not specify it. However, there are clues and scholarly theories based on biblical and historical evidence that he was definitely not born in December. Here are some facts:

Clues from the Bible:

1, Shepherds in the fields

The Gospel of Luke mentions that shepherds were watching their flocks at night (Luke 2:8). This suggests a time of year when sheep were outdoors, likely spring or early fall, rather than the cold winter months.

2, Timing of John the Baptist's birth

Using the account of John the Baptist's conception and birth as a timeline, some scholars estimate Jesus's birth in September or October. This is based on the priestly division of Zechariah (John’s father), whose service in the temple suggests a late summer or early fall conception of Jesus.

As well, there are historical and cultural factors – for example, the winter solstice (around December 25) was a time of celebration in the Roman Empire. Early Christians might have chosen this date to align Jesus’s birth with pagan festivals like Saturnalia, making Christianity more accessible.

There have been speculation and theories on the month that Jesus could have born such as:

• Spring (March-April): matches the time when shepherds would be outdoors and aligns with Jewish Passover.

• Autumn (September-October): aligns with the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, a time of great significance that might symbolise God “dwelling among us” (John 1:14).

Ultimately, while December 25 has only been traditionally celebrated since the fourth century, it is not considered historically accurate by most scholars.

So how is Jesus supposed to be the reason for the season? It boggles my mind.

The Koran highlights Jesus's birth as a miracle and a sign of God’s power, but it does not associate his birth with specific dates or celebrations like Christmas.

Muslims do not celebrate Christmas because it is a Christian holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, a belief that differs from Islamic teachings.

In Islam, Jesus (known by Muslims as Isa) is highly revered as one of the greatest prophets, but not as the Son of God or part of a divine trinity. The Koran emphasises monotheism (the oneness of God) and explicitly rejects the idea of Jesus being divine, or God incarnate.

“He (Allah) begets not, nor was He begotten, and there is none comparable to Him.” (Koran 112:3-4)

Since Christmas is tied to the celebration of Jesus’s divinity, Muslims do not partake in it.

“O People of the Scripture, do not commit excess in your religion or say about Allah except the truth. The Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, was but a messenger of Allah and His word which He directed to Mary and a soul [created at a command] from Him. So believe in Allah and His messengers. And do not say, ‘Three’; desist – it is better for you. Indeed, Allah is but one God. Exalted is He above having a son. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the Earth. And sufficient is Allah as Disposer of affairs.” Koran (4:171)

This verse emphasises the oneness of Allah and rebukes the doctrine of the Trinity or the claim that Jesus is His son.

While Muslims do not celebrate Christmas, we show respect and goodwill towards Christian friends and neighbours during this time, in keeping with Islam’s emphasis on kindness and coexistence.

We hope that you spent the past few days doing acts of random kindness, reaching out to friends and neighbours.

Kindness has the extraordinary power to heal, uplift, and unite. As you finish reading this, take a moment to think of someone who might need your help – be it a kind word, a thoughtful gesture, or a helping hand.

Let your actions be the spark that ignites hope in their heart. Because in the end, it's not grand gestures that change the world, but the quiet, consistent acts of kindness that remind us of our shared humanity.

As we enter 2025, let’s have the mindset that it is better to give than to receive, because in giving you miraculously receive.

Let’s also continue to pray and call for peace. Pray for ceasefire immediately. Consistency in our support is key to ending the senseless bombardment of children, women and innocent civilians.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you).

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam