Jesus' Birthday and December
25th
December 25 is being called in question
by many as the date of Jesus' birth. As far as can be learned this date was first
mentioned during the third century. Many believe that the existence of heathen festivals
celebrated on or about December 25 had great influence on its being accepted by the Roman
church for special religious services, including ultimately the celebration of Jesus'
birth.
While the exact day on which Jesus was
born cannot be determined, it is certain we think, that it was not in December, but rather
about the first of October. When Jesus was born the shepherds of Judea were watching their
sheep through the night in open pastures. Palestine does not have extremely cold weather
in winter, but it would be too cold near the end of December for shepherds to be spending
their nights in the open fields.
The Prophecy of Daniel Dan. 9:24-27)
reveals that Jesus' ministry was to last for three and one-half years. It is a prophecy of
sixty-nine symbolic weeks to the coming of the Messiah. Then another "week" is
mentioned, the seventieth, in the midst, or middle, of which the Messiah would be
"cut off," this being a reference to Jesus' death.
A week has seven days, and in prophecy
each day represents a year. The rule is set forth in Ezekiel 4:6. Tliis means that each
prophetic week is seven years in length. The middle of such a week would therefore mark
off a period of three and one-half years. It is very generally agreed that this was the
length of Jesus' ministry.
It is definitely known that Jesus was
crucified in the spring of the year, at a date corresponding approximately to the early
part of our month of April. This means that his ministry must have begun in the Fall,
about the first of October. We are informed in Luke 3:23 that Jesus began his ministry
when he was thirty years of age - perhaps even on his thirtieth birthday. Since three and
one half years from that date terminated in early April it means that his birthday was
about October 1, and not December 25.
Is it proper, then, to celebrate
Christmas on the wrong date? Well, in the first place, there is nothing in the Scriptures
enjoining Christians to celebrate the birth of Jesus at all. Naturally, however, those who
appreciate what his birth means both to the church and to the world will always desire to
praise the Lord for this evidence of his great love for mankind. Surely it is proper to
acknow- ledge the goodness of God at any time of the year.
The word "Christmas" is not,
of course, of biblical origin. It is a contraction of the words, "Christ's
mass," which naturally associates it with the Roman church. The majority of those who
know this still feel that they can enter into the spirit of the occasion, and give thanks
to God for the gift of his Son. To what extent an enlightened Christian should enter into
the festivities of the day is a question for individual decision.
The true meaning of Jesus' birth as
related to God's plan of salvation is set forth in the booklet, "Jesus, the World's
Savior." A FREE copy will be sent upon request.
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