The Birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:14)
Most of the “westernized” world celebrates what was once called Christmas season in a commercial and materialism extravaganza. Spectacular displays of lights, festive decorations, and all manners of advertising entice the masses to consume more and more, to excess. Have no money, not a problem, as credit (debt) is king and widely accessible. A large percentage of people do not associate the "Holidays" with anything related to religion but consider it to be a cultural commercialized custom, a festive time for all Mankind to enjoy and profit. It is a season that brings forth in some the positive traits of love, reverence, chastity, temperance, charity, diligence, patience, kindness, and humility; and in others it manifests the negative traits of hate, disrespect, envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath.
In the politically correct society of the modern world, “Happy Holidays” has often replaced “Merry Christmas” as to not offend those that are of different religions, of no religion, or those offended by the mention of the word “Christ” in the word “Christmas”.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:33)
Many of the “Christian” faith observe Christmas, declared by the traditions of Man to be on the 25th of December - the day decreed to be the birth of Jesus Christ, as a result of edicts issued by their spiritual faith leaders and religious institutions. Very few of these “Christians” read the Word of God contained in the Bible, for if they did, they would know otherwise.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9)
A pregnancy is stated to be on average 40 weeks or 280 days long and typically last between 37 and 42 weeks with 80% of of childbirths occurring between 37 and 41 weeks of gestational age. Man's Gregorian year is typically 365 days long while a typical Biblical year is about 354 days long, but at times can be 30 days longer. The variables of length of pregnancy and length of years means an approximation of the month of birth is about the closest estimate possible since a specific date of Jesus's birth is NOT stated in the Bible; unless another indication is discerned. A pregnancy wheel is often used to estimate the approximate birth due date from the last menstrual period and easily reflects the multiple of variables that can impact the estimated birth due date. An outer wheel consisting of the months of a Biblical year was added to the standard pregnancy wheel to provide the means of estimating the approximate birth due dates in this post - see pictorial illustrations.
Consider if Jesus was born on Man's decreed day of the 25th of December (using the year 2021 for estimation purposes), then his possible conception dates on Man's Gregorian 2021 calendar would be estimated to be 31 March to 10 April - note that the months of March/April is the First Biblical Month (read this). Some would assert that the 25th of December is logically and spiritually correct as conception in the First Biblical Month is the month declared by God to be the Biblical New Year; and the First Biblical Month contains the Feast of Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection - what month could be more Holy to be conceived in?
Consider if Jesus was conceived at the time of the visit of the angel Gabriel with Mary (Luke 1:26) in the Biblical "sixth month" (August – September) then His possible birth due date on Man's Gregorian 2021/2022 calendar would be between 10 May to 20 June with 6 June as the estimated birth due date (Third Biblical Month).
Are any of these birth due date "considerations" the Truth and do they have any basis in what is revealed in the Bible? Short answer: NO!
Read Your Bible! Challenge your preconceived notions and break the bonds of deception. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1Thessalonians 5:21) Verify the traditions of Man by finding their origins in the Bible: if Man’s traditions are not found in the Bible, than they are not of God. If Man’s traditions are proven to be not of God and are not from the Bible, ask yourself, do you follow God or Man?
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (Matthew 24:4)
Understand the Truth: The Bible does not state the year in which Jesus died or the date of His birth.
Prove this Truth to yourself: Using an online version of the Bible search for the word “Christmas” (or any variation of the word or in any translation of the Bible) yields result “Sorry, we didn’t find any results for your search.” If you are vaguely familiar with the Word of God contained in the Bible, you should know that by Man’s Gregorian calendar the month of December is related to the Biblical tenth month (Biblical months - read this) and God’s Holy Days identified in Leviticus 23 do not identify a Holy Day declared by God in the Biblical tenth month. Try and locate within the Bible where Jesus, His disciples, or His followers celebrated Jesus's birthday or anything similar to "Christmas".
If you desire to know the origins of Christmas by the traditions of Man, use Man’s internet and search on the phrase “origins of christmas” and read a few of the articles identified, you'll likely be surprised or shocked at what is stated. However, your precious time is better utilized reading the Bible and discovering what it reveals about the birth of Jesus Christ.
To gain wisdom of the birth of Jesus Christ from the Bible, it is suggested to first read all of Luke 1 and Luke 2:1-39. Also read Matthew 1:16-25 and Matthew 2.
If you have read Luke 1 and Luke 2:1-39, it reveals the birth of two firstborns; the firstborn son named John of Zacharias and Elisabeth, and the firstborn son named Jesus of Joseph and Mary. "For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself." (Numbers 8:17)
In Luke 1:17 it states: "And he {John} shall go before him {Jesus} in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord {Jesus}." It is important to recognize that John will "go before" Jesus.
In Luke 1:26-27 it states: "26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary." It is important to recognize that this visit from the "angel Gabriel" occurred in the "sixth month" of the Biblical year and the Biblical "sixth month" occurs on Man's Gregorian calendar in the months of August – September.
In Luke 1:36 it states: " And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren." It should be recognized that Elizabeth is in her "sixth month" of pregnancy since she "conceived a son" and this was stated in the Biblical "sixth month" (Luke 1:26) of the Year.
The firstborn son John is six months of gestational age in the Biblical "sixth month" of the Year (August – September), then John's conception date should be during the Biblical first month of the Year (March – April) and his expected birth due date should be in the Biblical tenth month of the Year (December - January).
In Luke 1:39-40 it states: "39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth." In Luke 1:56 it states: "And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house." It is important to recognize that Mary resided with her much older cousin Elisabeth during her sixth to ninth month of pregnancy of her son to be named John. Then with no reason disclosed, Mary left Elisabeth in her ninth month of pregnancy, likely very close to her delivery date of her son to be named John, and "returned to her own house".
In Luke 1:57 it states: "Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son." It is important to recognize that Elisabeth "delivered" "a son" shortly after Mary "returned to her own house" and the likely timeframe was close to the middle of the Biblical tenth month (December - January).
On the eighth day after the birth of John, Zacharia could speak again and in Luke 1:68-69 he states: "68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;" It is important to recognize that "visited" is past tense, and God "he hath visited" Mary. It is important to recognize that "redeemed" is past tense, and "redeemed his people" infers God has created the redeemer - Jesus - "As for our redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 47:4). It is important to recognize that "raised up" is past tense, and "raised up an horn of salvation" refers directly to Jesus - "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower." (Psalm 18:2). The word "horn" is very significant, as horn could mean "strength" of salvation or literally a horn, of a animal (shofar), or a "trumpet". It is important to recognize that "in the house of his servant David" refers to the ancestral lineage of Jesus. A good pictorial ancestral lineage or genealogies can be found in the original version of the 1611 The Authorized King James Bible - excerpt in picture below. It is important to recognize that Jesus is rightfully the "King of the Jews" at birth based on His ancestral lineage.
In Luke 1:76 it states: "And thou, child {John}, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest {Jesus}: for thou {John} shalt go before the face of the Lord {Jesus} to prepare his {Jesus} ways;". Both the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:17) and Zacharia emphasized that "thou {John} shalt go before the face of the Lord {Jesus}" - and this infers that John is before Jesus, that Jesus was likely conceived within Mary after (or at the time of) John's birth, likely at the middle of the Biblical tenth month (December - January) with an expected birth date likely during the Biblical seventh month (September – October). "Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him." (John 3:28)
In Luke 2 it is revealed that Joseph and Mary "being great with child" (Luke 2:5) traveled "from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem" (Luke 2:4) to "be taxed" (Luke 2:3) "when Cyrenius was governor of Syria" (Luke 2:2) as "decree from Caesar Augustus" (Luke 2:1) The timeframe of taxation (or census) is not specified, however many speculate from Man's fragmented historical records that this likely occurred in the autumn of a year. For perspective, walking distance from Nazareth to Bethlehem is about 97 miles and takes about 33 hours; and walking distance from Bethlehem to Jerusalem is about 5 miles and takes about 2 hours.
In a primarily agricultural society it would be sound fiscal judgement by the Roman imperial system to levy taxation at the time of harvest (Biblical Seventh Month), and before any religious tithes and offerings for holy days, so as to reap the greatest amount of revenue. As Mary was "being great with child" (Luke 2:5) and the expected birth date of Jesus was likely during the Biblical seventh month (September – October), these timeframes align relatively close to the beginning of the harvest months - the Biblical Seventh Month.
Considering that the firstborn son John was born in the Biblical tenth month, that eight days later on John's circumcision that Zacharia prophesized that God "he hath visited" Mary and Jesus was very likely conceived at that time or just after the birth of John, that John is before Jesus, that Jesus's expected birth is then in the Biblical seventh month, that Jesus is referred to as the "horn {trumpet} of salvation", that the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) is on the first day of the Biblical seventh month of which the Bible reveals no reason for its celebration, that Jesus was very likely born on the first day of the Biblical seventh month with the appearance of the visible crescent new moon.
It is without a doubt, that Jesus was NOT born on the 25th of December. Ask yourself "why?"; "why" would Man's spiritual faith leaders and religious institutions promote a obvious and blatant deceptive LIE? Would you knowingly and willingly follow one that purposely violates the commandments of God - "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Exodus 20:16) ?
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
(Matthew 24:11)
In Luke 2:7 it states: "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." In Luke 2:8-20 it reveals the appearances of angels announcing the birth of Jesus to shepherds and those shepherds viewing the baby Jesus in the manger. It is notable that Joseph had traveled to the "city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)" (Luke 2:4) and was unable to impose on any family, kinsfolk, or acquaintances to provide for Mary who was "great with child" (Luke 2:5). A manger is a receptacle used to hold animal feed or water and implies that Jesus was born in a place used to shelter animals - the type of structure is not specified. The shepherds were "keeping watch over their flock by night" (Luke 2:8) and reveals the seasonal weather was not adverse as would be experienced in the winter months, implying Jesus's birth was before the winter season.
It is notable the only visitors to Jesus's birth mentioned were shepherds inspired by angels. It is important to recognize that the "wise men from the east" (Matthew 2:1) were not mentioned or present at the birth of Jesus; and there was NO mention of gifts or presents as is commonly associated with the "Christmas" of today by the traditions of Man.
In Luke 2:21: it states: "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb." The phrase "named of the angel before" refers to Luke 1:31 which states: "shalt call his name Jesus".
The origins of the rite of circumcision are stated in Genesis 17:9-14: "9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant."
In Luke 2:22-23 it states: "22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)" It is notable that the length of Mary's purification ritual is for a total of 40 days. It is important to recognize that "Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord" is likely a reference to "Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine." (Exodus 13:2)
The purification ritual according to the law of Moses is stated in Leviticus 12:2-4: "2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled."
In Luke 2:24 it states: "And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." It is important to realize that the sacrifice offered was a "pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons" instead of a "lamb of the first year" and "a young pigeon, or a turtledove"; very likely because they were "not able" to afford the higher cost of a lamb.
The sacrificial requirements are stated in Leviticus 12:6-8: "6 And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: 7 Who shall offer it before the Lord, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. 8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean."
In Luke 2:39 it states: "And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth." It is important to realize that "they", Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, returned "to their own city Nazareth" after "they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord"; that the "law" timeframe was 40 days of purification; inferring they likely departed Bethlehem close to the middle of the eighth Biblical month (October – November). It is important to realize that there is no mention of a visit from the "wise men from the east" (Matthew 2:1).
In Luke 2:41 it states: "Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover." It is important to recognize that there are three (3) feasts (Holy Days) that the faithful traveled to Jerusalem every year to observe. It is important to recognize that the "parents went to Jerusalem every year" infers that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus adhered to the requirements to attend God's feasts and follow His commandments. It is important to realized that prior to the birth of Jesus, that travel to Jerusalem was commonplace three times "every year" and the trip to Bethlehem five miles further, the birthplace of Jesus, would likely be considered a "routine" trip even with Mary "being great with child" (Luke 2:5). It is important to recognize that only one feast of the three mandatory feasts, the Passover, is emphasized in this verse.
The requirement to attend God's feasts are stated in Deuteronomy 16:16: "Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the Lord empty:" The three (3) Feasts that all males were required to appear for are: [1] The Feast of Unleavened Bread (also referred to as Passover) which occurs in the First Biblical Month (March – April), [2] The Feast of Weeks (also referred to as the Feast of Harvest and Pentecost) which occurs in the Third Biblical Month (May – June), and [3] The Feast of Tabernacles (also referred to as the Feast of Ingathering and Feast of Booths) which occurs in the Seventh Biblical Month (September – October).
In Matthew 2:1-3 it states: "1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." It is important to recognize that "all Jerusalem" was "troubled"; not aware of the signs and prophecies foretelling the birth of the "King of the Jews" as written in their "own" Holy texts and likely resentful at the "wise men" (foreigners) scriptural expertise and knowledge. It is important to recognize that the Bible states "wise men" and does not state the number of "wise men". The stories of "three wise men" are a fictitious creation by Man and NOT derived from the Bible.
It is important to recognize that the "wise men from the east" "have seen {past tense} his star in the east" and then they "came" to "Jerusalem" - this Truth confirms the "wise men from the east" were NOT present at the birth of Jesus. This also implies that the birth of Jesus was heralded by a "sign", a "star in the east" - "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14) - and the "wise men" had prior knowledge and knew what to watch for in the sky indicating the birth of the "King of the Jews". There are numerous prophecies that foretell the birth of Jesus that the "wise men" likely had awareness and comprehension of: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, Daniel 9:25-26, Numbers 24:17, Genesis 22:18, 2 Samuel 7:12-13, Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jeremiah 31:15, Deuteronomy 18:18, Psalm 72:9-11, and more.
The Bible does not elaborate or specifically identify the "star in the east". However, the phrases "star in the east", "a sign", and "a virgin" could be interpreted to represent the astronomical constellation called Virgo - the virgin maiden, as the sun passes directly overhead of the equator, within this constellation, at the September equinox (during the Seventh Biblical Month). In Revelation 12:1-2 it provides a similar indication of Jesus's birth, "1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." A typical view of the sky as observed from Jerusalem, Israel at the start of the Biblical Seventh Month (September) displays the constellation Virgo with a crescent new moon as illustrated in the following picture. {Constellation Virgo picture from free program called Stellarium - an interactive and realistic planetarium model representing the solar system.}
In Matthew 2:4-6 it states: "4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." The prophet that wrote of where "Christ should be born" is likely a reference to Micah 5:2 which states: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
In Matthew 2:11 it states: "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." It is important to recognize that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, had previously returned "to their own city Nazareth" (Luke 2:39) and later returned to Jerusalem for Passover (also referred to as the Feast of Unleavened Bread) (Luke 2:41) during the First Biblical Month (March – April) and resided in a "house" in the town of Bethlehem located 5 miles from Jerusalem. It is important to recognize that the "wise men from the east" had "seen his star in the east" announcing the birth of Jesus in the Seventh Biblical Month (September – October), made preparations, and traveled from the east to Jerusalem arriving there in the First Biblical Month (March – April). The "wise men from the east" located Jesus in a "house" {not a manger} in the town of Bethlehem and "presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh" similar to how an ambassador of another country would present a token/tribute of respect to a foreign ruler/king.
The life of Jesus continues - to know the Truth, Read Your Bible!
If you have read the Bible the details of Jesus's life and death are revealed. However Jesus's death also reveals information about His birth, if you have inspiration and guidance to discern the Truth.
In Luke 3:21-23 it states: "21 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, 22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased. 23 And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph" It is important to recognize that Jesus's ministry began after His baptism when He was about thirty years of age.
Jesus’s ministry ended with His crucifixion. Jesus’s ministry length was stated in Daniel 9:27, “And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease...”. If Jesus’s ministry length was supposed to be for “one week” and ended “in the midst of the week” this equates to 3.5 days or 3.5 years -- Understand: “each day for a year” (Numbers 14:34) and “I have appointed thee each day for a year.” (Ezekiel 4:6).
In summation this means Jesus was baptized and began preaching the Word of God about 30 years old. He preached the Word of God for 3.5 years and was crucified on the 14th of Abib which was Passover (Leviticus 23:5). This means Jesus was approximately 33.5 years old when he died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus died on the 14th of Abib in which the month called Abib is the first month of the Biblical year (Exodus 12:2) which is equivalent to Man's Gregorian calendar months of March - April. Jesus's birth month is discerned by subtracting 6 months from the first month of the Biblical year which means He was born about the seventh month of the Biblical year which is equivalent to Man's Gregorian calendar months of September – October. It is without a doubt, that Jesus was NOT born on the 25th of December.
Most of the world will blindly continue on with their lives, following without question the traditions of Man and edicts issued by their spiritual faith leaders and religious institutions, if they have any religious beliefs.
Ask yourself how you would feel if your family and friends did not acknowledge or celebrate your birthday on the correct day? Do you think Jesus approves of people celebrating the lie of His birthday called Christmas by the traditions of Man?
It is very clear that the Word of God in the Bible reveals the Truth of the birth of Jesus Christ that contradicts the traditions of Man and Man's deceptions entrenched in the observance of Christmas. Whom do YOU follow, God or Man?
And Jesus said, the whole world and all nations shall be deceived. (Revelation 12:9 Revelation 18:23)
Are You Deceived?
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