THE SACRED BIRTH

Much study indicates conclusively that Chanukah was the time when Yeshua was conceived within the womb of Mary, as (according to Luke 1:35) The Holy Ghost came upon her, and the power of the Highest overshadowed her, conceiving within her the very Son of God. This would put the delivery of the Christ child at the celebration of Rosh HaShannah (Feast of Trumpets) which occurs in September or October on our calendar. This fits the story we find in God's Word, as we see that Joseph was a "just" man (Matthew 1:19) which by all Jewish standards meant that he "kept" the Lord's Festivals without exception. Now ALL Jewish males of age were to be IN JERUSALEM for the ENTIRE Sukot (Feast of Tabernacles) observance. Bethlehem was a few miles from Jerusalem, and we are told in John 2:1-7 that Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem for purposes of taxation and that Yeshua was born while they were there. This timing would be appropriate to allow for the birth of the child and a short respite before completing the journey into Jerusalem for the onset of the Feast of Tabernacles ten days later. Though some seem to think He was born during Feast of Tabernacles, God honored Joseph as a "just" man (who would have to be in Jerusalem at this time, NOT Bethlehem). We also see that the INNS were full when Yeshua was born. This would mean it was NOT Feast of Tabernacles, as everyone would be in tents at that time rather than inns. Rather it would be a short time before, when people were en route to Jerusalem for Sukot, and still able to sleep in the inns. The trumpets are blown at only three of the Lord's Festivals, i.e. Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, and Yom Kippur. The trumpets of the Feast of Trumpets would announce His birth just as they announced His coming to Mt. Sinai at Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) in Exodus 19 and as they will announce His next arrival to establish his Millennial Kingdom on Yom Kippur.

It seems rather strange that we would celebrate His birth on December 25 (as He was neither conceived nor brought into the world at that time) rather than at the Lord's feasts which honor these precise events. However, it may not seem so strange when we search out the "roots" of this December 25 observance. In an attempt to draw the pagan realm into the Christian ranks, Constantine first made December 25 a Christian celebration, combining the Christian faith and Paganism together in acknowledgment of the birthday of Mithra, a solar deity worshipped as the god of wisdom and "light". The Christians had always honored Chanukah as a celebration "light", which falls nearby each year, so they accepted this compromise into the grips of paganism many eras ago, and it has been proclaimed as "Christmas" henceforth unto our day. Am I saying we cannot honor Christ on December 25? No, we can and should honor him EVERY day of the year, but it is my prayer that we would awaken to the truth regarding our Christian heritage, and take strides to bring "light" into the pagan confusion which has infiltrated the Christian ranks.

ExtraBiblical sources validate what the Bible implies, i.e. that God actually considers "birth" to be the time of conception, when the "life" of the child begins within the womb. Thus it is very appropriate to celebrate His "birth" at the time of His conception, Chanukah - the Feast of Lights. Thus the Christian celebration of the birth of the Light of the world at this time is highly appropriate. It is a time when the Jewish people commemorate the miracle of the oil light that did not go out when the oil should have been consumed, just as the light of Christ will shine eternally! The symbolism of so much of our Jewish heritage has been lost. It is such a shame, as it speaks to the "church" today with great emphasis and impact. May we begin to recall the roots of our Christian faith, and begin to understand that if we are not counted as the seed of Abraham, we do not belong to Christ Galatians 3:29). We were grafted into the olive tree (Romans 11:13-24), not created as a stand alone tree. Our Jewish roots were never intended to be severed. Indeed to sever our roots, is to kill the tree!

The most famous Jewish man who ever lived was Yeshua himself. As we celebrate His coming as the suffering servant, may we look to His coming as the King of Kings!