Man chose the date for us to celebrate His birthday!
Since it isn’t mentioned anywhere in the Bible, the actual date of the birth of Jesus the Messiah – Yeshua HaMashiach. In all actuality, a day was appointed by man as the birth date of Jesus. Early Christians had addressed the discussion of a date for His birth, but it was never decided upon. By 336 AD, the emperor Constantine established December 25th as the date Christians celebrate Christ’s birth. We take this date for granted, not because we know it’s the actual date, but because December 25th has been ingrained into our Christian minds and traditions. Not all people recognize that the exact date of His birth is somewhat of a mystery. I’m not saying that we shouldn’t celebrate the birth of our Savior; however, every day, we should celebrate His birth date, His death, His resurrection, His ascension, and especially the fact that “HE LIVES”!
A few facts in the Bible could give us a clue to His birthday, but nothing concrete to point to a specific date. Possibly, He was born during the Feast of Tabernacles or Sukkot, a “seven” day holy celebration commanded by God in the Torah. It begins on the 15th day of the month of Tishrei. It’s interesting to note that Tishrei is also the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar, and the number “seven” has the same consonants as the Hebrew word for completeness or wholeness. Also, Sukkot or Tabernacles celebrates the deliverance of the Jews from the hands of the Egyptians. Contrast this with the fact that Jesus-Yeshua came to deliver us from the penalty of sin. Remember that when Jesus left behind HIS GLORY and the Heavenly Places to come to this Earth, he put on human flesh- the eternal deity who came to this Earth to “Tabernacle” with humanity.
When the Angel spoke to Joseph in a dream he was told this:
Matthew 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
This essentially says that when Jesus is born, he’s now tabernacling with man.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the intransitive verb tabernacling means to take up a temporary residence, especially to inhabit a physical body.
Jesus-Yeshua celebrated all of the Jewish feasts, as was His custom. He also attended the Synagogue on Sabbath (the 7th day of the week).
Here’s my question to you during this time of celebration that we as Christians are famous for saying: “Jesus is the reason for the season”. Did you invite Him to His party? Or was He just an excuse to get together and have a party without Him? It’s fantastic to be with family, exchange gifts, and express love and affection. However, if we’re going to dedicate a season and a specific day to our LORD and SAVIOR, then we need to make sure that we invite HIM to the celebration. Can you imagine what it would be like if you realized your friends had gotten together to celebrate your birthday and didn’t invite you?
If it’s all about shopping, the lights in and on the houses, decorating the trees, the wreaths, and the shopping trips to see Santa Claus, you need to ask yourself, what am I celebrating? Have you allowed Santa, the reindeer, and snowmen to dominate your Christmas decor? Do you participate in every secular activity, such as gingerbread houses, stockings, and so on? Do you leave milk and cookies out for Santa’s visit? Is the Christmas parade you look forward to honoring Jesus, or does it honor the world? Traditions are great for any family, but when the traditions outweigh the true “reason for the season,” you should think again and make room for the invitation to the Savior to His party. If it’s not really for the celebration of Jesus’s birth, then we need to call it a winter festival or some other secular name.
If this blog makes you think and you see that you’ve left Jesus out of your celebration, it may not be too late. If the Lord doesn’t come to take us home with Him before the next Christmas Season, you have time to invite Jesus-Yeshua to His birthday party next year.
Luke 2: 1-7 Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. 2 This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; 5 to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. 6 And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Take This to Heart
“Christ uncrowned himself,” William Dyer wrote, “to crown us, and put off his robes to put on our rags.”
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