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It was Hippolyltus who first established with certainty, in his commentary on Daniel, written around A.D. 204 that Jesus was born on December 25. Bo Reicke, the early exegete from Basel, pointed moreover to the calendar of feasts, according to which, in Luke’s gospel, the accounts of the birth of the Baptist and the birth of Jesus are related to each other. It would follow from this that Luke in his Gospel presupposes December 25 as Jesus’ day of birth. On that day, the feast of the Dedication of the Temple, introduced by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C., was celebrated. At the same time, the date of Jesus’ birth was symbolized, so that with him, who arose as God’s light in the winter night, the true dedication of the Temple - the arrival of God in the midst of the world might take place.

Pope Benedict XVI

Images of Hope: Meditations on Major Feasts.

He also goes on to explain the ox and ass. Very good read from someone who does know the Bible inside out and upside down.

It was Hippolyltus who first established with certainty, in his commentary on Daniel, written around A.D. 204 that Jesus was born on December 25. Bo Reicke, the early exegete from Basel, pointed moreover to the calendar of feasts, according to which, in Luke’s gospel, the accounts of the birth of the Baptist and the birth of Jesus are related to each other. It would follow from this that Luke in his Gospel presupposes December 25 as Jesus’ day of birth. On that day, the feast of the Dedication of the Temple, introduced by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C., was celebrated. At the same time, the date of Jesus’ birth was symbolized, so that with him, who arose as God’s light in the winter night, the true dedication of the Temple - the arrival of God in the midst of the world might take place. Pope Benedict XVI....

What time of the year does the course of Abia fall? That date is required knowledge to know when the conception took place. Now John was 6 months in the womb when the conception took place and 6 months from the course of Abia is right around December 25th. Further the literal flesh birth of Christ was NOT in the dead of winter, it was at the end of harvest, tax season and head counting.

It was Hippolyltus who first established with certainty, in his commentary on Daniel, written around A.D. 204 that Jesus was born on December 25. Bo Reicke, the early exegete from Basel, pointed moreover to the calendar of feasts, according to which, in Luke’s gospel, the accounts of the birth of the Baptist and the birth of Jesus are related to each other. It would follow from this that Luke in his Gospel presupposes December 25 as Jesus’ day of birth. On that day, the feast of the Dedication of the Temple, introduced by Judas Maccabeus in 164 B.C., was celebrated. At the same time, the date of Jesus’ birth was symbolized, so that with him, who arose as God’s light in the winter night, the true dedication of the Temple - the arrival of God in the midst of the world might take place. --Pope Benedict XVI

Excellent find. What a contrast between Pope Benedict and ArchDruid Rowan the Fuzzy.