The Festival of Lights

I did not write this, oh that I had the knowledge to do so. :) ~~Shelly


Most of the world celebrates December 25th as the birthday of Jesus, however this is not the time of his birth. God established a celebration hundreds of years before Jesus came in the flesh to be the time of the birth of Christ. God also established Passover as the time of Christ’s sacrifice for mankind hundreds of years before he came in the flesh. The key to understanding the actual birthday of Jesus is in the bible. There are two separate studies both of which use the bible to establish his actually birthday. The first is a simple method and the second much more detailed. Both agree his birth was in the fall of the year.

To understand how the date of Christ’s birth was incorrectly established we must first understand the Hebrew people did not celebrate birthdays. Since the actual date was not celebrated, it was not known. This is how all this confusion started. As you know, the first followers of Jesus were Hebrew. Over time, gentile numbers began to grow and during the time of Constantine the gentile influence became very strong. The gentiles desired to establish a date to represent the birthday of Christ. They decided to use December 25, as it accommodated the Roman pagan festival of Saturnalia, which celebrated the winter solstice. The birth of Messiah was said to be compatible with Saturnalia’s themes of light returning and hope for the upcoming year, howevert it is a pagan holy day honoring a pagan god. Daylight increases from this day forward, but the bible shows this is not the day of Christ’s birth.

God picked a very different day. A day that would be significant to his Hebrew people. After all, Jesus was Hebrew and was sent to the Hebrew People, so we could expect him to pick a very important Hebrew day. The following is a Hebrew short form summary, the actual full length Hebrew detailed analysis of the bible follows. You will see why it took an extensive amount of Hebrew knowledge to figure this out from the bible when you read the long form.

We start in Luke. Mid-June: During Zacharias’ term of service, Gabriel tells him he will father a son (John the Baptist). Zacharias was in the division of Priests called Abijah, who served one week in the month of Tammuz (mid-June) and another week in Kislev (early December).

Luke 1:5-16 5There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

6And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

7And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

8And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,

9According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.

10And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

11And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

12And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

13But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

14And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.

15For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

In early to mid-July, Elizabeth becomes pregnant

Luke 1:24

24And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, KJV

In late December to early January, during the sixth month of Elisabeth’s Pregnancy, Mary conceives through the miracle of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:26-31 26And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,

27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. KJV

In early January, Mary visits Elizabeth who is six months pregnant.

Luke 1:39-45 39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;

40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.

41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?

44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. KJV

In early April, Mary returns home after John was born.

Luke 1:56 56And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. KJV

In April, Elizabeth gives birth to John.

Luke 1:57 57Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.

Nine months after Mary conceives, she gives birth to Jesus. This is either late September to early October.

Luke 2:1-8

2:1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7And 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.

8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.


Shepherds were tending their flock on the birth night of Christ. Bethlehem is located on a high ridge between Hebron and Jerusalem. This is a very cold region in winter and may receive snow fall. There is also little foliage for grazing sheep in this area in the winter. It is however a good place to graze your flock in fall. This places the birth of Christ during the Hebrew season of Sukkot. The feast of the Tabernacles. Sukkot is in the seventh major biblical holiday in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. This Hebrew celebration is when God “dwells” in harmony with mankind. It is during this time God commanded the Hebrew people to dwell in temporary booths (tents) or Tabernacles. It stood for the days when the Hebrew pitched tents and wandered in the wilderness and reminded them of their deliverance from Egypt.
Although the Hebrew people did not know it, Sukkot also stands for the exidous of God’s people from this world through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Allowing only branches for a roof, a sukkah allowed the light of the stars to pass through as a sign the ultimate dwelling place for God’s people is with God. The light shinning through is also symbol of God dwelling with them. Also during the week, seventy bulls (one for each nation) were sacrificed, showing God provided the sacrifice for all nations, not just for the Hebrew nation. The birth of Christ ussered in the the coming of the golden age - the Millennial Kingdom, when King Messiah returns to Earth, to Jerusalem His special city, gathering into God's kingdom the redeemed of all the nations, as all Jews were required to come to Jerusalem from all nations. CHRIST WAS THE TEMPLE OF GOD, IN THE FLESH


John 2:19-21 19Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. 20Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?

21But he spake of the temple of his body.

God dwelled in the Holy Temple of God in Jerusalem. God told Soloman he would dwell amoung the sons of Isreal, but because of the wickedness of the Hebrew people, God allowed the Babylonians to overthrow the city and pilliage the temple and destroy it, in 586 BC. Seventy years later, the Hebrew people rebuilt the temple, however the Ark of the Covenant was no longer there, plus the other sacarid things to God. The temple was not manifested in the same manner as before. It was a shell of itself and what it previously represented. Around 500 years later God manifested His presence once more, and in the supreme way, on Earth.

The Son of God, who lived with the Father from eternity, came to Earth. Christ took on a body, became flesh, and dwelt among us. Jesus became the temple of God, Jesus was the dwelling place of God. In doing so, He embodied of the dwelling presence of God on Earth. He was the true Temple of God, the place where God dwells. "Destroy this Temple," He told a group of Jewish leaders, "and in three days I will raise it up..." speaking, of course, of the Temple of His body. When Christ died, the veil, which blocked man from the Most Holy Place in the Temple, was torn. This is because Christ’s death now allowed for God to dewll with and in his children, and for us to become his temple. Fifty days after the death of Christ, the Holy Spirit was given to his followers at Penticost. There, they became the temples of God on earth. Today, we are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit and we are the temples of God. Amen.

Upon Chrit’s return, there will be no doubt he is God and he will dwell in Jerrsalem on Mount Zion. On Sukkot, all nations will again go to Jerusalem to worship God. In New Jerusalem, we won’t need to build a temple. Christ will be there. . Moses understood this when he declared: "Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born, or You gave birth to the Earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God." Rabbi Paul told us that in God "we live, and move and have our being." Christ said "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to Him, and make our home with him" (John 14:23). This actually should say, make our home “in” him.
Not only did the birthday of Christ have great special meaning in the Hebrew culture, but Christ also reviled God’s desire for fellowship with man on this event during his ministry. Sukkot, which also is the date the dry season ends and the rainy season starts. During this week, there was a daily poring of water in the temple. On the Seventh day, Hoshana Rabbah (the Great Hosana), a priest went to the Pool of Siloam to fill a golden pitcher of water. Upon returning to the temple, he would poor it into a basin while the other priest blew trumpets and sang Hllel

(Psalms 113-118). This was a demonstration of Israel’s dependence on God for sending the rain for their crops. It was during this event that Christ said”

John 7:37-41 37In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

40Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
There is also another custom on Sukkot. It is the burning of bright lights. People brought torches to the temple. There were lamp stands with bases 50 yards high placed in the temple courtyard. Priest would climb ladders to fill the cups and light the used worn out garments of the priests as wicks. It is said the light was so bright, all Jerusalem was lit by them. The celebration lasted all night with singing and dancing. On the day these lights were put out, Jesus said:

John 8:12 12Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.


Also during Sukkot a traditional prayer is said: Imagine what Christ thought wile he heard this. A voice heralds, heralds and saith: Turn unto me and be ye saved, today if ye hear my voice. Behold the man who sprang forth, Branch is his name, David himself. Stand up! Be buried in the dust no longer! Ye who dwell in the dust, wake up and sing. Glad will be the people when he ruleth. The name of the ungodly shall perish. But to his anointed, the Messiah David, he giveth grace. Grant salvation to the people, To David and his seed forever, The voice heralds and saith. Amen.

We can see how important it is to know the Hebrew people and their customs. The special events God gave them to celebrate directly point to Christ. Sukkot shows us God wants to dwell with us. That the Christ brought the light to the world, inorder to harvest mankind. It not only shows how God delivered man from egypt, but also how Christ delivered us from our sins and into salvation, so that he may dwell with us, forever. Amen!


==============================================
The Messianic writing about Christ's actual birthday.


As I mentioned before, the Hebrew people at the time of Christ, did not celebrate birthdays.
Anything that drew attention or honor to yourself was considered improper. So they did not celebrate the birthday of Jesus, they did not celebrate anyone's birthday. Birthdays were a gentile celebration. Constantine and others wanted to celebrate the birthday of Christ, but no one knew the day. Dec. 25 was determined as it was a festival of lights, being it was the shortest day of the year, but it is also a pagan holiday. I think we should celebrate the correct day, without gifts to each other, honoring only the Birth of Christ. Something December 25 does not do. I hope you have already read the short version.

By Greg Killian Doug Dolly in his book, "Messiah Our Passover is Sacrificed", wrote the following summary of Messiah's birth:

THE BIRTH His birth, about AM 3750 - 3756 (10 - 4 BC), was expectantly awaited. because within about 40 years Daniel's prophecy concerning Him must be fulfilled. The prophet Mikha (Micah) wrote that He was destined to be born in Beth-Lechem (Bethlehem) - the House of Bread. [God called Him the Bread from Heaven, though men say Manna - [What is It?] It was because of this prophecy that King Herod had the children of Beth-Lechem killed, to protect his throne against the coming promised king. The rabbis who translated the Septuagin taught from the prophet YeshaYahu (Isaiah) that He would be born of a virgin and would be called Immanuel - God with Us. In the expected time and place, on the Festival of Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles), in a succah (tabernacle, temporary dwelling) where Passover lambs were raised in the city of the shepherd David, a Son was born to a virgin descended from that Messiah David. At an angel's command, He was named Yeshua, meaning "The LORD is Salvation." God would dwell with us in a succah of humanity that would be bruised by the serpent, then crush that old serpent!


When Zekharya (Zechariah) was ministering in the temple, he received an announcement from God of a coming son. The eighth course of Abia, when Zekharya was ministering, was the week of Sivan 12 to 18. If Zekharya's promised son Yochanan (John the baptizer) were conceived soon thereafter, then Yeshua's conception, which was six months later, would be late Chiselev to early Tevet, near Chanukah (the Feast of Dedication); His birth would thence be at mid Tishri, the Feast of Succoth (Tabernacles).


The month of Tishri (in the fall) also fits with the season of shepherds being out with their flocks by night, as they were when Yeshua was born; during winter the lambs are kept indoors. The apostle Yochanan (John) tells us that the Word (of God) became flesh and "dwelt in a succah" (tabernacled) among us. L'CHAIM / CELEBRATING LIFE Later in His life, Yeshua celebrated His birthday on a mountain with three of His disciples. In contrast to birthday parties, such as Herod's, where people were killed for entertainment, His was a celebration of life.

On the Festival of Succoth, Moshe and EliYahu (Elijah), from centuries past, representatives of the Torah and the Prophets, appeared and talked with Yeshua. One disciple, Kepha (Peter), suggested building three succoth for Yeshua, Moshe, and EliYahu, because it was required for the festival, but he did not understand that these three were fulfilling that which the festival symbolized: they were dwelling in their succoth (temporary tabernacles) of flesh, awaiting their eternal resurrection temples.

The Pagan Mass for Tammuz celebrated on the 25th day of Thebeth, which centuries later became Christ's Mass (Christmas) on the equivalent 25th day of December, has no Biblical connection with Yeshua's birth. In this part of our study I will attempt to show how we can learn the birth date of Yeshua from the Bible. Our starting point is: Luke 1:5 In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.

From this we learn that John the Baptist's father was part of the Levitical priesthood group known as Abijah. Next we learn when Abijah served during the biblical year: I Chronicles 24:1 These were the divisions of the sons of Aaron: The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died before their father did, and they had no sons; so Eleazar and Ithamar served as the priests. With the help of Zadok a descendant of Eleazar and Ahimelech a descendant of Ithamar, David separated them into divisions for their appointed order of ministering.

A larger number of leaders were found among Eleazar's descendants than among Ithamar's, and they were divided accordingly: sixteen heads of families from Eleazar's descendants and eight heads of families from Ithamar's descendants. They divided them impartially by drawing lots, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, recorded their names in the presence of the king and of the officials: Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites--one family being taken from Eleazar and then one from Ithamar.

The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, The fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin, The seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, The eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, The thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, The seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, The twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul, The twenty-third to Delaiah and the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. This was their appointed order of ministering when they entered the temple of the LORD, according to the regulations prescribed for them by their forefather Aaron, as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded him.

As for the rest of the descendants of Levi: from the sons of Amram: Shubael; from the sons of Shubael: Jehdeiah. As for Rehabiah, from his sons: Isshiah was the first. From the Izharites: Shelomoth; from the sons of Shelomoth: Jahath. The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the first, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third and Jekameam the fourth. The son of Uzziel: Micah; from the sons of Micah: Shamir. The brother of Micah: Isshiah; from the sons of Isshiah: Zechariah. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno. The sons of Merari: from Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur and Ibri. From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. From Kish: the son of Kish: Jerahmeel. And the sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder and Jerimoth. These were the Levites, according to their families. They also cast lots, just as their brothers the descendants of Aaron did, in the presence of King David and of Zadok, Ahimelech, and the heads of families of the priests and of the Levites.


The families of the oldest brother were treated the same as those of the youngest. There were 24 courses. Abijah was the eighth course. David divided them and gave them instructions concerning the time they were to serve. God's Spirit showed David how he was to divide the Priests and how they were to serve: I Chronicles 28:11-13 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, its storerooms, its upper parts, its inner rooms and the place of atonement. He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the LORD and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things. He gave him instructions for the divisions of the priests and Levites, and for all the work of serving in the temple of the LORD, as well as for all the articles to be used in its service. The following verse indicates that the length of service for each course was seven days: I Chronicles 9:1-26 All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel.


The people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. Now the first to resettle on their own property in their own towns were some Israelites, priests, Levites and temple servants. Those from Judah, from Benjamin, and from Ephraim and Manasseh who lived in Jerusalem were: Uthai son of Ammihud, the son of Omri, the son of Imri, the son of Bani, a descendant of Perez son of Judah. Of the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons. Of the Zerahites: Jeuel. The people from Judah numbered 690. Of the Benjamites: Sallu son of Meshullam, the son of Hodaviah, the son of Hassenuah; Ibneiah son of Jeroham; Elah son of Uzzi, the son of Micri; and Meshullam son of Shephatiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah. The people from Benjamin, as listed in their genealogy, numbered 956. All these men were heads of their families. Of the priests: Jedaiah; Jehoiarib; Jakin; Azariah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the official in charge of the house of God; Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah; and Maasai son of Adiel, the son of Jahzerah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Meshillemith, the son of Immer.


The priests, who were heads of families, numbered 1,760. They were able men, responsible for ministering in the house of God. Of the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, a Merarite; Bakbakkar, Heresh, Galal and Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zicri, the son of Asaph; Obadiah son of Shemaiah, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun; and Berekiah son of Asa, the son of Elkanah, who lived in the villages of the Netophathites. The gatekeepers: Shallum, Akkub, Talmon, Ahiman and their brothers, Shallum their chief Being stationed at the King's Gate on the east, up to the present time. These were the gatekeepers belonging to the camp of the Levites. Shallum son of Kore, the son of Ebiasaph, the son of Korah, and his fellow gatekeepers from his family (the Korahites) were responsible for guarding the thresholds of the Tent just as their fathers had been responsible for guarding the entrance to the dwelling of the LORD. In earlier times Phinehas son of Eleazar was in charge of the gatekeepers, and the LORD was with him. Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. Altogether, those chosen to be gatekeepers at the thresholds numbered 212. They were registered by genealogy in their villages. The gatekeepers had been assigned to their positions of trust by David and Samuel the seer. They and their descendants were in charge of guarding the gates of the house of the LORD--the house called the Tent. The gatekeepers were on the four sides: east, west, north and south. Their brothers in their villages had to come from time to time and share their duties for seven-day periods. But the four principal gatekeepers, who were Levites, were entrusted with the responsibility for the rooms and treasuries in the house of God.


The week of service began and ended on the Sabbath: II Chronicles 23:1-8 In the seventh year Jehoiada showed his strength. He made a covenant with the commanders of units of a hundred: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zicri. They went throughout Judah and gathered the Levites and the heads of Israelite families from all the towns. When they came to Jerusalem, The whole assembly made a covenant with the king at the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, "The king's son shall reign, as the LORD promised concerning the descendants of David. Now this is what you are to do: A third of you priests and Levites who are going on duty on the Sabbath are to keep watch at the doors, A third of you at the royal palace and a third at the Foundation Gate, and all the other men are to be in the courtyards of the temple of the LORD. No one is to enter the temple of the LORD except the priests and Levites on duty; they may enter because they are consecrated, but all the other men are to guard what the LORD has assigned to them. The Levites are to station themselves around the king, each man with his weapons in his hand. Anyone who enters the temple must be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes." The Levites and all the men of Judah did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men--those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty--for Jehoiada the priest had not released any of the divisions.


So, the week of service began and ended on the Sabbath. In addition to their normal service, the Priests, all twenty-four courses, served for three extra weeks during the year:17 Deuteronomy 16:16 Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed: Now we need to do some arithmetic: 24 courses times 1 week equals 24 weeks that have been served by the twenty-four courses. Then we add the three extra weeks when all 24 corses served. We now have covered 27 weeks. A biblical year consists of twelve lunar months, of 29.5 days, which total 354 days. This is eleven days less than a solar year, of 365 days. This means that we have to cover 24 more weeks. Thus we can deduce that each course served a week at the beginning of the year, and a week at the end of the year. The Mishna agrees with this conclusion.1 (The number of days that differ from a lunar and a solar calendar, are made up by adding a leap month every two or three years. I do not yet know how the priests served these extra days.) Each course, therefore, served for one week twice a year, and three weeks a year they all served. Each course, therefore, served a total of five weeks during the year. Between the first and the eighth week of the year, two of the three times when all twenty-four courses served, intervened. The eighth course would, therefore, serve during the tenth week having allowed for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Feast of Weeks, which both occur during the first eight weeks of the year. This is the second Sabbath of Sivan, and the week that follows (approximately Sivan 12-18). Elizabeth conceived John the Baptist AFTER Zechariah had finished his Temple service. So, she would have become pregnant after the third Sabbath of Sivan (approximately Sivan 19-25): Luke 1:23 When his time of service was completed, he returned home.

After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. If you go forward forty weeks, for a normal pregnancy, we see that John the Baptist was born on Passover. We would expect that this pregnancy would be perfectly normal because this is the mark og God's handiwork - perfection! It is interesting that John the Baptist was born on Passover, because one of the rituals of the Passover is to set a special place setting, for Elijah, and to open the door to welcome Elijah. Messiah said that John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come!

Matthew 11:7-15 As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about

John: "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: 'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear.

Exactly six months after John's conception, Mary conceives Jesus: Luke 1:23-33 When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." In (Elizabeth's) sixth month (of pregnancy), God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, To a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, And he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." If John the Baptist was conceived in the eleventh week, the third Sabbath week of Sivan, Yeshua would have been conceived six months later in the month of Kislev. Mary would have conceived Yeshua after the third Sabbath of Kislev, approximately Kislev 19-26. Kislev 25 is Chanukah. It is noteworthy that our Messiah, the "light of the world", was conceived on the festival of lights (Chanukah)!

So, six months after John the Baptist is born, Yeshua is born. Therefore, since John was born on the 15th day of the first month (Nisan), Yeshua (Jesus) would be born on the 15th day of the seventh month (Tishri)...six month later. The 15th day of the seventh month is known as Succoth, or the Feast of Tabernacles. Yeshua (Jesus) was born on Succoth (The Feast of Tabernacles)!

We find an allusion to Yeshua's birth during Succoth in John's gospel: John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling (succah) among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Remember that a major theme of Succoth is JOY!

With this in mind ... Luke 2:4-11 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. And ...


Matthew 2:7-12 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.