The Reason for the Season
And the shepherds were in the same country, living in the fields, and keeping guard over their flocks by night Luke 2:8
Living In The Fields – By now you probably realize that Christmas has nothing to do with the birth of the Messiah. There are plenty of textual clues indicating that Yeshua could not have been born during the winter solstice. One of them is found in Luke’s use of the Greek agraulountes, a verb that means “to live or remain outdoors.” You can see the root of our English word “agronomist” here. The shepherds remained on the land.
Why does this indicate that the birth of Yeshua could not have been in the winter? Because shepherds in the first century would not keep their sheep in the fields during the coldest months of the year. In winter, the sheep were kept in sheepfolds, not in the fields. In addition to this bit of information, there are other clues that point us to a birth in the Spring. In fact, it seems quite likely that Yeshua was born according to God’s calendar of festival events rather than Man’s alternative of the solar year. It is far more likely that he was born on Purim, the festival of deliverance.
Christmas, December 25th, is really a variation of the celebration of the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. Before the discovery of a mistake in the Gregorian calendar, this day would have fallen on December 22nd. How did it become the day for the celebration of the birth of Yeshua? The answer isn’t very comforting. The winter solstice was an important pagan festival in fertility cults. It was a celebration of life returning to the world. In fertility cults, the diminishing sun was a symbol of the removal of the fecundity of the gods. Since the days began to lengthen after December 22, fertility religions often considered this a sign that the gods had once again impregnated the earth and it would bear fruit in its season. In other words, Christmas was a celebration of the sexual potency of pagan gods (but don’t tell your children).
When Constantine adopted Christianity as the official religion of Rome, he simply transferred the existing pagan celebrations into the religion of Christianity. He replaced the Jewish calendar of God’s festival events with a calendar of his own pagan practices. Easter, another pagan fertility celebration about divine eggs, became the Christian day of the resurrection. Christmas became the day of Yeshua’s birth. It was no longer necessary to follow God’s festival calendar. Constantine and Christianity just made their own list.
This might shock you. Hopefully not. But it raises a serious question. If we continue to celebrate Christmas (or Easter), aren’t we endorsing a pagan, sexually-based cult? Should we refuse to participate because of the real historical background? Each of us must decide, but here is my opinion. I am fully aware that the history of Christmas is pagan. I know that historically it has nothing to do with the birth of my Savior. But the vast majority of my friends don’t have a clue. Christmas has been a part of their “Christian” experience so long now that they are convinced it is about Jesus. If I shatter their belief in order to “correct” them, I could easily damage their genuine (but misguided) love for my Lord. They don’t know the truth, but they do seek to worship the God of truth. So, I don’t apply the sledgehammer. I give gifts. I join with my family. I see friends and enjoy their company. If they ask, I tell them that Jesus is not the reason for this season. And I let it go. God will bring them around if He chooses to do so. Truth is not my job. That is the role of the Spirit. My job is to know the truth and govern myself accordingly. I don’t celebrate the birth of Yeshua on Christmas. But I also remember Paul’s comments about weaker and stronger brothers. So, I go gently into the night.
Topical Index: Christmas, agraulountes, fields, Luke 2:8
I must take some issue with today’s writing, Skip. I believe that Jesus is the reason for the season. With all the emphasis on food and eating we must direct ourselves to feed on Jesus. He is “the bread of Life” ;”Take , Eat This is my body broken for you”, “Take this cup,… a New and Everlasting Covenant”; “If you drink of this water you will thirst again..I offer living water”
We are to feed on Jesus because He is the Word become flesh. It was no accident He was born in a manger (a feeding trough). It was Design.
Hi Gene,
If you mean that Jesus is the reason for the season because Christians no longer acknowledge the actual historical reality behind Christmas, then I suppose you could say that Christians choose to honor Him despite the historical record. You are quite right about ignoring the materialistic emphasis. You are right about the other symbols in the story. But let me just suggest that if Yeshua is born according to God’s festival calendar, a whole lot of other festival events take on deeper symbolic meaning. The celebration of the birth of the Messiah is coupled with events that fall into God’s fuller disclosure of purpose according to the way He established the proper holidays. Just think about it. It might not change the purported reason for the season, but it certainly shows once again how far Christianity has moved away from the Biblical scene.
I accept the fact that the temporal aspects of the event may have been manipulated but the overarching take-away is that Jesus in a manger is not an accident and we must focus on Him as our food rather than all of the distracting elements place there by forces of evil to take our minds off the monumental meaning of Christmas. It is what separates Christianity with all other belief systems. God would choose fellowship with us by sending His Son to redeem us while others use finite men to reach a holy, infinite God.
That is the message of Christmas.
You’re right, Gene. It is about God seeking Man. But what a shame, as Drew points out, that we don’t see the bigger picture – the way God engineered the ENTIRE story to fit a calendar of events He was putting into place from the very beginning.
Shalom Gene,
I don’t believe anyone would disagree with your genuine sentiments surrounding Yeshua/s birth and the significance. However this event should not be couched in terms of how it separates “Christianity” from other belief systems. Despite disbelief/ rebellion/ ignorance by many Jews/Israelites of the day and even now regarding Yeshua … the event can never be separated from the Jewish people or the context of the Jewish Mashiach. Ultimately the event (His Birth) is not “Christian” but rather Biblical and as we know Biblical means in the context of the Chosen People Israel (then to the nations) and yes even a temporal remnant that is Jewish or for lack of a better term “Jacob”!
I hardly believe we are driving the Jew to jealously with Christmas!
Believe me …. I know how hard this issue is …. I struggled …. I tried to justify …. I tried to maintain what had been inherited …. for a long time.
But also consider this: when The King Of Kings returns in glory and takes command of His Kingdom …. do we think we will be celebrating Christmas? …. Seriously!
Anyway …. I know the angst which comes from addressing this very issue! But as Skip points out …. Try and see the bigger picture … it is His picture and it is much better than anything that we can conjure!
Be at ease and at peace! Enjoy and be safe!
Shalom, Drew. I can relate to what you’ve said about justifying, inheritance etc. It reminds me of a passage in Jeremiah 16 speaking of the days when God would restore the whole house of Israel (not just Judah):
14 ¶Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that it shall no more be said, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
15 But, The Lord liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
16 ¶Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the Lord, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.
17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.
18 And first I will recompense their iniquity and their sin double; because they have defiled my land, they have filled mine inheritance with the carcases of their detestable and abominable things.
19 O Lord, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction, the Gentiles shall come unto thee from the ends of the earth, and shall say, Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.
20 Shall a man make gods unto himself, and they are no gods?
21 Therefore, behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know mine hand and my might; and they shall know that my name is The Lord.
Verse 19 was a key for me in realising that we have inherited many lies from our forefathers, who in turn inherited them from previous generations and taught them in good faith, believing them to be truth. In these days we are seeing a world-wide awakening of God’s people to the truth of His Torah, His Feasts and His purpose. Praise God!
Skip – keep pressing in and faithfully preaching what YHVH reveals to you; you’re not a lone voice on this. May YHVH give us grace to Shema! (Hear AND Obey).
Thanks, Skip or the insight of being in relationship with others who may not know the “truth” about Christmas and the birth of our Saviour. For me what stands out is the need to be “gentle.” I have not always been that way and I have hurt people unintentionally (or maybe I did intend). This year I will be gentle.
Thank you, Skip, for addressing this some what delicate subject this morning. Just last night when I met up with a girl friend of mine on my daily walking course, she so critically exclaimed to me “I don’t celebrate Christmas!” She seemed so cold and unconcerned about those around her. Through my studies, I have been learning that the time around the Feasts of Tabernacles is more closely related to the birth of Yeshua than the traditional December Christmas celebration. And as my husband and I observed this Biblical feast back in October, we were mindful that this could have been the time of His birth, but still, I am not ready to trash Christmas, and I appreciate your sensitive spirit on how to handle this season.
For the past 23 years my adopted son has boldly celebrated two birthdays, one on the date that is on his birth certificate, which was a mistake created 23 years ago in the demographic office in the country where he was born, and secondly on his real birth date which was a month later! Actually, today, most people wish him Happy Birthday on his legal birth date, since that is what he uses for identification purposes. But, every year, on his real birth date, he knows that He can expect a card from home, or a call from me just to say “Happy Birthday son.”
I pray that as we learn more about our true Hebraic roots, we will develop an even truer love and devotion for our Lord, that our hearts will not become cynical, or self righteous, but that by God’s grace, we will continue to make Jesus the Reason for every day of our lives!
Each year I do a play on words and adopt my own personal motto for the following year, kinda like a New Year’s Resolution… last year it was: “In 2009 may my heart be Thine”, in 2008 it was: “On Thee oh Lord, I will wait.” This year it will be: “In 2010, You, Jesus, are my reason.” (I know that the word reason isn’t as perfect a rhyme as in the past years, but it is for me, …for some reason, I have always pronounced it “reasen”)…so, truly, no matter what everyone else is doing or not doing, Jesus remains, “My Reason for the Season!”
May I say (gently!), today brother Skip, I agree and disagree with you. Isn’t ambivalence wonderful? I celebrate Christmas with my family. We will celebrate the incarnation of the G-d’s gift to this world. We are fully aware of the pagan roots of Christmas, yet we celebrate the season. Everyday is Christmas, because everyday we celebrate Christ. He is the the reason for our existence, period. For me.. to live is Christ (and to die is gain!). Over the years, “Christmas” has evolved and devolved. It has been used and abused. Santa and Christ- what an unholy mix! This is a wonderful day to “remember” Him. Christmas (to me) is one of many mnemonic devices G-d uses to “remind” us of Him. It is a season of giving and “reminds” me of the greatest gift and the greatest Giver. The full gospel of the Messiah includes Genesis through Revelation. We will celebrate every day (is Christmas), because every day is a gift. I hate to “pop” another balloon, but also there is no record of angels singing! We are the ones who sing the song of the Lamb. Is “Christmas” a heathen holiday? yes. Am I a “saved sinner?” Yes, absolutely! Will I rejoice concerning the birth of the King? Yes, amen.
Was Jesus born on December 25 at approximately 8:30 in the morning (Eastern Standard Time)? How Greek!- lol! Let’s all think Hebrew.. we’re talking “shock and awe!.. The Creator became the created. G-d incarnate! The union of two houses. The very human and the very holy. Jesus, the G-d/man. Amazing! O, holy night! He came unto His own, and His own received Him not, but as many as received Him.. to them gave He the power to become the sons of G-d. (John 1.11,12)
This “event” is far too rich to turn our backs on and ignore. This (and every day) is a season of wonder and a season of worship. The living bread born in Bethlehem! G-d so loved… from His cradle to His cross to His coronation..- the LORD, He is G-d! The Messiah born in a manger. O come.. let us adore Him.
John 17:15-16 comes to mind (Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer): “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”
In the world…not of the world. What that looks like in each of our lives is something we must each wrestle with as we study the Word and listen to/obey the Spirit’s leading. But one thing I am pretty sure of and implied in this verse: I am pretty confident that I am not going to “change the world” nor anything that has its origins in it or that has evolved under its pagan systems (e.g. like the day we celebrate Christmas).
Shalom,
Christmas … as Skip identified the Winter Solstice is not open to debate! The pagan relationship of this event to fertility rights, Mithra, the Sun god, Saturnalia, and a hosts of other false conventions is well known!
Regarding the change from pagan to Christian Holidays … though initiated by Constantine (certainly Easter is his claim to fame) records point to Julius in 350 CE and later it was Theodisius in circa 389 CE that threatened the populace with making all non-Christianized festivals actual work days. Just some added info so that Constantine does not get all the credit/blame! LOL
The bottom line as we learn in The Word however …. we don’t mix the Holy with the profane …. meaning that we don’t transfer false pagan festivals to make them what they are not … Mo’adim! There are no ifs ands or buts about it!
Regarding Yeshua’s birth: I have quite honestly seen numerous studies indicating a Fall/Sukkot time frame birth for Yeshua. But perhaps a discussion at another time?
Anyway …. I agree brother Skip (in faith) that Yeshua’s birth, like everything about Him, would have meshed perfectly with the Mo’adim. It is so sad that genuine outpouring of reverence and love for Yeshua by some believers during this season is not exercised at the properly ordained Mo’adim. And the great thing about the Mo’adim … all of them …. they are all about Yeshua so we can actually get the feel of this season … ALL THE TIME! 🙂
Any time to praise HIM is tov!
Why not “Jesus is the Reason for All Seasons?” (Rev 4:11 – “for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being”)
Hi David,
Great idea David!
Makes me think of Paul Scofield, the great Shakespearean actor who played Thomas More in the the movie “A Man for All Seasons.”
The story of Thomas More, who stood up to King Henry VIII when the King rejected the Roman Catholic Church to obtain a divorce and remarriage.
He also played lead roles in some other great ones ….
Scorpio (1973) …. Zharkov
King Lear (1971) …. King Lear
A Man for All Seasons (1966) …. Thomas More (author of Utopia)
I hear all sides of the issue. I am living within the framework of one struggling to break out of the cocoon of living in a world groaning for redemption, in anticipation of feeling the wind around me as I move in total freedom with the ability God gave me. Inside the cocoon, I am not able yet, but somehow I know I will move in the exact manner He designed. Our charge as believers, just passing through, is to use the lamp He provides us, listen for His Voice with open ears and heart and follow His instruction with all our might. By the way, He is the Giver of the light, a new heart and strength! As I read about “gentleness” we, who are persuaded that Christmas is something other than what we grew up believing in, are displaying the precious fruit of the Spirit. I will display every one of the ornaments my daughter and I collected down through the years on a little Norfolk Island Pine, and use this as decor in my house afterwards. She now is purchasing them for her Mom and how loving would I be to take her git to me without gratitude for her “expression”? We will exchange gifts, and Yes, my brother (an unbeliever)will make shrimp cocktail and my mother ( a believer) will prepare a ham and bring them to my house. The LORD knows who eats what and some believers present will eat shrimp and/or pork with no concept of the God’s dietary guidelines on their radar. The government and medical community’s food pyramid has more influence! I will mourn for my other brother who does not have anything to do with either of his siblings ( 1 saved, 1 an unbeliever). But as we all gather together, I will thank my Father for each one gracing my home with their presence on this day, which is the Day He has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it and love them all deeply in my heart. Jesus loved each one He encountered in spite of their mindset, their practices, or religion. Some were dramatically transformed, many, it appears were not. Somehow, He loved me when I did not live according to His prescribed manner. Although positionally He sees my state of perfection as I trust Him in faith, He still loves me when I miss it and He still is my Help to attain the Prize…the high calling of Him who is the REASON we live…BECAUSE HE LIVES, LIFE IS WORTH LIVING!! HalleluYAH!
Mary.. I do not know you, but you are beautiful! G-d’s spirit is strong in you and for this I am grateful. The purpose of this website and our comments is for all of us to come to know Him. I am so blessed reading these comments and knowing my G-d is working in our lives to conform us to the image of the Son. ‘This is the LORD’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.” ‘When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men.’ (Ephesians 4.8). I see these gifts from above manifested among the readers and contributors to this online community of believers.
Our G-d is a G-d of diversity and unity. We are one in the bond of love. Won’t we all have a tale to tell in days yet to be. I’m reminded of a song by Mahalia Jackson.. “How I Got Over.” There were many creatures contained within Noah’s ark, but all were sealed inside. What a journey that must have been! (lol!). Traditions are just that. Hand-me-downs from generation to generation, from parents to children. I have celebrated (X) number of Christmas’s and Thanksgivings. I have to admit, I love this season and time of year for what it means to me. G-d came to live among us as one of us to show (demonstrate) how to live. He lived among us as 100% man and showed us how we also could become “fully free” and fully human. He was the perfect man and (much to my surprise), He also is the perfect woman! The incomparable Christ. Doesn’t your heart ache for those who do not know Him? G-d gave a gift to this world. But even a gift does no good, unless it is “received.” Why do some people turn away from the best thing ever given to mankind? It’s a wonder and a mystery to me.
Ernest Martin, in his excellent and well-researched book, The Star That Astonished The World, suggests that the birth if the Messiah was on September 11th, 3 B.C.; he ties this in with the Woman and Dragon passage in Revelation 12. It was truly an eye-opener for me, and now the whole thing has been put together on DVD entitled The Bethlehem Star (not produced by Martin, but based on his work.) The book examines in detail the astronomical signs in the sky that occurred around that time, including the planetary motions of Jupiter in the contellation of Leo, the Lion, near Regulus, the King Star, and conjunction of Jupiter and Venus that may well have been “the Star”…
http://www.amazon.com/Star-That-Astonished-World/dp/0945657889
http://www.bethlehemstar.com/
Hello John …. the Fall time frame suggested in your post is what I have come across often … and it tends to be aligned with Sukkot. Many suggest a first day of Sukkot birth for Yeshua and an 8th day circumcision on Shemini Atzeret …. which would make miraculous sense of course.
Was this Mo’ed issue addressed in the book you referenced? Just curious!
Shalom
I do not recall, Drew, but will go back and check and let you know!
John
John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh and Tabernacled among us…”. The Feast of Tabernacles is way more likely than Purim. Yoseph had to go up to Jerusalem for the Feast of Sukkot. Miriam did not need to go with him since the commandment was for “all your males 12 years and over”, however they also had to go to Bethlehem to register in the “census” (in actual fact it was to register support for naming Caesar Augustus (I think) as Father of the Roman Empire).
The word “Manger” in English is the word Sukkah in Hebrew, which of course should be translated Tabernacle or Tent. Yoseph was commanded to dwell in a Sukkah for eight days, but for Miriam it would have been quite acceptable for her to stay in more comfortable accommodation, especially being heavily pregnant as she was. Nevertheless, no room was found so she had to stay in the Sukkah with Yoseph (which it would seem was constructed in the stable), which is where the baby was born.
Once you put it back in the context of the Moedim it all makes perfect sense…
Thanks Rodney. You’re clarification is very helpful. Of course, shepherds would still be in the fields in October, but not December.
Hi Skip!
You said, “When Constantine adopted Christianity as the official religion of Rome, he simply transferred the existing pagan celebrations into the religion of Christianity.” Just as a point of clarification here from an historical perspective, my understanding is that Constantine did not not make Christianity the official religion of Rome. In A.D. 313 Constantine issued the Edict of Milan which essentially made Christianity legal to practice within the Roman Empire. Apparently he himself had recently become a Christian and his mother Helen was a Christian and both are venerated in the Eastern church. In 325 he called the first council of Nicaea to address the Arian Controversy and some sources say the council also was to decide which day they would observe Easter. However, I have not read the translations of the original texts. My history book tells me that by A.D. 392 it was Theodosius I who made Christianity the state religion of the Empire and made the worship of pagan gods illegal.
Thanks for the correction.
Hi Skip,
We wanted to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas whenever you celebrate the Lord’s birth.
I also wanted to let you know that the bone cancer is now in remission. I may have told you that already. We pray it will NEVER return.
Minnesota is having a huge storm right now and we are in the middle of it with 4 inches and rising. They expect over 20 inches plus by Friday.
Thank you for your teachings. We appreciate them very much.
Jerry and Ruth Olson
Red Wing, MN
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Ha, ha! We are freezing here in Florida at just below 70. And I had a real shock on my return from Singapore where it was 90 every day with 94% humidity. My hands were so sweaty I had a hard time typing on the keyboard. Ah, yes, diversity in creation.
I am so glad to hear about the remission. God is good.
Les agradezco profundamente a todos las enseñanzas aquí vertidas. Al Dr. Moen, bendiciones por todo lo que he aprendido este año 2009. ¡Gracias! y estos dos estudios sobre el nacimiento y celebración de la navidad han confirmado mucho mis propios conceptos. Nosotros (Visión de Fe, nuestra congregación), no celebramos nada de esto, sin embargo, dejamos en libertad a nuestros hermanos congregacionales a que si necesitan reunirse con sus familia que lo hacen, que no se condenen según Romanos (“…ninguna condenación hay…”). Sin embargo, como dijo el Hno. Roy, tengo que enseñar estas cosas que hacen cosquillas a muchos de mis hermanos. Pero… “Conocereis la verdad y… te molestará”. Bendiciones a todos y Feliz Año Nuevo. Esto sí lo practico y lo predico.
The following aphorism I received from a great friend ( I met through Skip); he is Rabbi Bob Gorelik. Bob suggests (paraphrase): Stop the idolatry and remove Yeshua from Christmas. Celebrate the holiday and enjoy the traditions of fun, food, festivities, and gift exchanges. As long as we don’t mix it with any semblance of worship then we are not guilty of idolatry.
As an additional note I would comment that it is interesting how we “the church” seem to insist on worshiping Yeshua on our terms rather than on his. We continue to focus so much attention and vehement defense on issues not commanded in Scripture (Christmas, Easter, and lawn displayed manger scenes), while ignoring the ones commanded (Sabbath and the God designated festivals). Idolatry is not only the worship of something or someone other than YHWH, but also the worship of him on terms other than he stipulated.
However, we do not live in the “Promise Land”. I believe we are back in Egypt (metaphorically). We are making bricks and can’t help it. We want to do otherwise, but the task master is stronger than we are. I am crying out for the Deliverer – my Beloved Messiah – to return and set us all free. Please Yeshua come quickly and set up Your kingdom.
‘Don’t remember where I first read the analysis that showed Jesus was likely born during the feast of Tabernacles but we’ll know soon enough when it really was. According to Josephus, birthdays were not significant personal holidays for Hebrew peoples……..coming of age (bar/bat mitzpah) are, weddings are, significant milestones.
His birth may have been a significant milestone in the lives of the shepherds who heard/saw the angelic hosts telling them who He was and where to find Him. Wonder how many of them followed his life in Jerusalem–communication being nothing like the instant we have these days, maybe none since they could have lost track between Nasareth, Egypt and Bethlehem..
Imitating Jesus seems to mean many things … 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 and 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1.
Thank you all for sharing your insights.
http://www.cogwriter.com/birthdays.htm context – research by living church of god writier
http://www.ritualwell.org/lifecycles/babieschildren/firstmilestones/BirthdaysJewishly.xml/view?searchterm=