The phrase presents a specific, non-traditional claim regarding the date of Jesus Christ's birth, appending it with the proper noun "Tony Ray." The central assertion, that Jesus was born on September 11th, contradicts the globally recognized liturgical date of December 25th. While the December date is also considered a tradition rather than a historical certainty, the September 11th proposal represents a fringe theory not supported by mainstream theological or historical scholarship. The inclusion of the name "Tony Ray" is ambiguous; it may refer to a specific proponent of this theory, or it could be an unrelated element attached to the core claim.
The theory of a September 11th birth date, specifically in the year 3 B.C., is primarily derived from attempts to align biblical narratives with astronomical events. Proponents often interpret the "star of Bethlehem" mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew as a specific celestial conjunction, such as that of Jupiter and the star Regulus, which occurred around that time. Further arguments are based on interpretations of priestly schedules in the Gospel of Luke to calculate the timing of John the Baptist's conception, and subsequently Jesus's. This date also aligns with the Jewish observance of Rosh Hashanah (the Feast of Trumpets) in some years, which proponents believe holds theological significance. In contrast, the traditional December 25th date was not widely established until the 4th century A.D. and is believed by many historians to have been chosen to coincide with Roman festivals like Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (the birthday of the Unconquerable Sun), thereby Christianizing a significant pagan holiday.
In conclusion, the assertion that Jesus was born on September 11th is a speculative theory based on specific biblical and astronomical interpretations that remain outside the consensus of academic and religious authorities. The historical date of Jesus's birth is unknown, and the December 25th tradition is liturgical in nature. The phrase itself functions as a declarative statement of this fringe belief, with "Tony Ray" acting as a proper noun whose specific connection to the claim is not widely documented or understood. Without additional context, the phrase represents a niche theological assertion combined with an unexplained name.
