You may ask – Actually the Bible God’s Word specifies no date for Jesus’ birth and there is no record that Jesus himself spoke of it, much less directed that it be celebrated.
However, the Bible does help us to determine the time and year when the Saviour was born. The gospel of Mathew chapters 26 and 27, tells us that, the Lord was executed on Nisan 14, late in the day of the Jewish “Spring Festival” that had commenced on March No. 31, 32 AD of the common era. We learn from the gospel of Luke that Jesus was about 30 years old when He was baptized and began His ministry (Luke 3: 21-23). That Ministry lasted (3) three and half years.
Therefore, Jesus was about 32 – 33 ½ years old when He died. Luke reports that at the time of Christ’s birth, shepherds were “living out of doors and keeping alerted in the night over their flocks.” (Luke 2:8) Shepherds would not have been out with their flocks in the rigorous cold of December, when it may even become snowy froze in the district of Bethlehem.
But they could have been there with their flocks the month before November, that is October, because the month November through December was and is one of the four season in a year called autumn that characteristically typical of the onset of winter ad so very cold and icy as the winter itself that hardy for anyone to live out of doors or goes into the fields, especially the shepherds.
I therefore have no doubts in believing that October No. 1, which according to the evidence is when the Messiah was born. “For unto you, this day, a child is born”.
Announced by the Heavenly great company of angels who, descended with great glory in the clouds of heaven during the midnight summer of October the 1st, which marked the expiry and end of the longest ever period of 4004 BC (Luke 2:11), (Lune 2: 13).
You might feel middling about the date, perhaps have doubts regarding it anyway. Let me explain. In order to determine the time and date of Christ’s birth, let us go back and begin with the prophetic vision of Daniel concerning the 23 hundred days mentioned in chapters 8 verse 14 (Dan. 8:14) and in chapters I, we can read the details given in the book which explains certain chronological events that leads to the time of Christ, through the great advent movement of 18th century. The 23 hundred days, years covers three main prophetic period mention in the Book Daniel chapters 9. The 70th weeks, the 62 weeks and the 69 weeks. 70 weeks in prophetic calendar represent 490 years. 62 weeks, represent 434 years in prophetic chronology 69 weeks x 7 equals to 483 years.
(70 x 7 = 490, 62 x 7 = 434, 69 x 7 – 483).
Let’s take the 69 weeks as a clue because from here we would discover that, after a total of 483 years messiah would be alive, for it was at that time that he was to be cut off.
From the commandment to restore and build Jerusalem, given by Artaxerxes, in 457 to March No 14, 445 BC, the 69 weeks then was began. On condition that the complete number of prophetic years involved is multiplied by the number of prophetic days per year (483 x 360) we have 173,880 days.
Starting with March No. 14, 445 BC, the probable date of the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem and adding 116 days for leap years, 173,880 days bring us to April No. 6.
AD 32 of the common era. The date of the Messiah’s crucifixion. If truly Christ’s lifetime on earth is or was 33 and half years old, then, there is no hesitation in believing that Christ exactly born according to prophesy a year or two before the opening of a new era called “Anno Domini” as named after himself, “ In the year of the Lord”. His prophetic birth, marks the complete period of four thousand and four years which began right from the creation of Adam down. (4004 years). If that is true, then there is no difficulty in determining the time and year of Christ’s birth.
Because of you minus Christ’s life time period of 12,420 days on earth, from the longest prophetic period of 483 years that equals to 173, 880 days, certainly you will hit the right nail on the head by means of coming to know that, Christ’s 12,420 days, began a year before the death of Herod the Great, sometimes between (BC 4 and BC 3). Because at that time of the Messiah’s birth, Herod the Great who was also a great builder was a ruler of Judea itself by consent of Rome, from (37 BC – 4 BC).
He, Herod died suddenly after the birth of Christ, and was succeeded by one of his 3 sons who the realm of their father was divided among them. Over the district of Galilee, Antipas Ruled from (BC 3 to AB 39). (Matthew 2:1, Luke 1:5, Matthew 14:1, Luke 3:1, Mark 6:14). At the time too, Augustus was the emperor of Rome. Caesar’s grand nephew, Octavian, the first to become Roman Emperor since or from 27 BC to AD 13, Ad 14, Tiberius Caesar took over the throne and was later successes by Caligula’s, Maron No. 16, AD 37, of the common era. Pontinus Pilate, who handed Christ to be killed, became prefect of Judea AD 26. There are some of the most historial evidence that helps one to determine the time and month, or year the Lord was born. Even the date and time His crucifixion can be easily discovered.
BUT WHAT ABOUT DECEMBER 25 ITSELF?
Clearly in the light of the facts surrounding the holiday season, such distinctive phrase as Jesus is the reason for the reason itself ring hollow. On condition that you are upset by the commercialism and troublesome conduct linking with the Christmas season, as well as its distasteful pagan origins, do not be discouraged. There is always a fitting way in which we can show due reverence for God and honor Christ, at the same time strengthening family ties.
The bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many” (Matthew 20: 28). He allowed himself to be afflicted, willingly dying for our sins. Some might like to honor Christ, feeling that they can do this during the Christmas season. But as we have seen Christmas and New Years have little to do with Christ and have their boots in pagan celebrations.
Also, the Christmas season however attractive it is to some is marked by crass commercialism, sexual crimes, drinking parties of alcohols and the pomp and pride ceremonies. Furthermore, it must be admitted that the Christmas holiday is associated with shameful conduct that not acceptable to God himself and Christ.
Finally let me say here that it is not the birthday of Christ that we always celebrated every year. But rather it was and is the birth day of Mithra, the ancient Persian god of the sun. But please, don’t believe me and those who opposed the date, December the 25th.
Stand by your doctrines and follow what your pastors and Bishops teaches you about. Go on and do whatever you want to during this Christmas holiday. But true Christmas in this country, remember, it is a curse to enter relationship with the Sun goal instead of honoring Christ the true son of God.
By JIMMY RAX
Mbarana Range
Guadalcanal
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