'Twas The Night Before Christmas And The Truth Is Out

The Christmas Story You Probably Will Not  Read to Your Children . ©

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and you shall call his name Immanuel.         (Isaiah 7:14  [KJV])

Growing up, in the middle of the last century, my childhood was probably very similar to many other kids growing up in modern times. I looked forward to the Christmas season with great joy and anticipation. There always seemed to be an air of excitement surrounding this season. So, let me assure everyone, this is not the easiest expose' to write.

However, in ones search for the truth, there are often choices we have to make. We can either face the truth and make the change, we know we need to make, or we can close our eyes to it altogether. By doing this however we will face the consequences. As a believer, in Yeshua haMashiach (Jesus the Messiah), I want to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to Him. That means turning away from those things which He abhors.

Many try to use the excuse that we are under grace and arrogantly say, "I have Jesus and that's all I need." Really? I declare that if we claim to have Yeshua, but have no conviction, doing the things God condemns, we do not have the Yeshua (Jesus) of the Bible. Ruach Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit) was given to lead us into all truth. The truth always points us to Yeshua and God's intention for mankind. He never leads us into paganism, or idol worship, which is contrary to God's will for His people. The Ruach (Spirit) never leads us into deception. We go there by seeking after the pleasures of our natural human desires. In doing so, we rob ourselves of God's blessings. We also place ourselves in danger of losing all the benefits He has in store for us. 

Please understand this. The purpose of this writing is not to judge anyone in their understanding. It is meant in a spirit of love with the sole purpose of awakening God's people to the truth. Satan is the most subtle of all creatures. His goal is to make you believe you are serving God but through his cunning and deceptions you are actually serving him. Satan has used these tricks, to rob God's children of their blessings, from the beginning of time.

There is a saying that says, "Ignorance is bliss." That bliss will only last for a short time because there are always consequences to ignorance. There are blessings in keeping God's appointed feasts. Although it may feel good for a time, celebrating Satan's feasts, there is always a curse attached to it.

Sometimes it may be necessary for someone to jump out into the middle of the road. By doing so they could be placing themselves in danger in order to warn the oncoming traffic that the bridge is out up ahead. There are those of us who are called to blow the shofar and sound the alarm. It is not in our power to turn anyone's life around. Truth is either accepted or rejected. It is ultimately your decision as to what you will do with the information provided here. I pray you will be wise. It is not God's will that any should perish but that all would come to repentance (2nd Peter 3:9).

The fact of the matter is this. Just about every Christmas tradition, practiced today, has its origin in the exact same pagan traditions that caused Israel to be scattered among all the nations of the world. Do we really think that suddenly our holy God puts His stamp of approval upon the exact same wickedness He has already cursed and called abominations? Has God changed? Malachi 3:6 says, "I am the LORD. I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."  God was very specific. He told the Israelites what they were not to do when they entered into the land He promised their fathers. In Deuteronomy 12:29-31, God says this:

"The LORD your God will cut off before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land, and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared by inquiring about their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.' You must not worship the LORD your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods." (NIV)

Also In Leviticus, 18:2-5, God gives His people Israel this warning:

"Speak to the people of Isra'el; tell them, 'I am ADONAI your God. You are not to engage in the activities found in the land of Egypt, where you used to live; and you are not to engage in the activities found in the land of Kena'an, where I am bringing you; nor are you to live by their laws. You are to obey my rulings and laws and live accordingly; I am ADONAI your God. You are to observe my laws and rulings; if a person does them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI.'"  (CJB)

Most professing Christians are not even aware of the fact that many of the customs and traditions they are practicing, during the Christmas season, predate the birth of Yeshua by hundreds and even thousands of years. Many of these traditions are thought of as harmless fun. However, we must understand that even if they are not the actual practice of pagan rituals, they are a direct imitation of them. These customs and traditions, which were an abomination to God in the past, are still an abomination to God today. Remember? I am the LORD. I change not. 3rd John verse 11 says:

"Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God,, but he who does evil has not seen God."

Let's begin with the date of Yeshua's birth. Was it really December 25th? It is a well known and documented fact that the day we now call December 25th was celebrated as the birth date of several gods and false messiahs, for thousands of years, before the birth of Yeshua.

This date was chosen for the birth date of the "sun god" in ancient Egypt, named Osiris. The reason for the date December 25 was, because in ancient times, it was the first day they could detect the days were growing longer after the winter solstice. December 25th was observed by many cultures during ancient times and is said to be traced, all the way back, to the time of Nimrod in ancient Babylon. Others, said to be born on this date, are Tammuz (the son of Nimrod); Horus, Shamash, Hercules, Bacchus, Adonis,  Jupiter, and several others.

In later times, during the height the Greco/Roman period, the sun- god Mithras was said to be born on this date. Throughout Europe and Asia he was called, Deus Sol Invictus Mithras. They called December 25th, "The Nativity of the Sun."  This period of time, around the winter solstice, known in Rome as Saturnalia, became known for its great festivities which included drunkenness; gluttony, orgies, gift giving, and all types of revelry. The festival of Saturnalia lasted about a week leading up to December 25th. 

The date December 25th is first referred to as Christmas Day in documents, dating to 354 C.E., compiled by a group of Roman Bishops. The document makes this statement. These words appear for A.D. 336: "25 Dec.: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae." December 25th Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea. This day, December 25, 336 C.E., is the first recorded celebration of Christmas. This date may have been chosen to counter the pagan feast of Natalis Solis Invicti, or "Birth of the unconquered sun." [40]

Between the third and fourth centuries, the Roman Church, in order to add to the numbers of adherents of Christianity, adopted this pagan date. This date made it easier for the pagans to be assimilated, into the Church, while still holding on to many of their cursed cultic beliefs. In other words, the Church did not stand against the pagan beliefs of the time. They adopted them. It did not take long before the Church was immersed into pagan superstition and the traditions of men. In 350 C.E., Pope Julius 1 declared December 25th the official date of Christ's birth,  and in 529 C.E., Emperor Justinian declared Christmas a civil holiday.

We also know, from Scripture,  that Yeshua could not have been born anywhere near late December for meteorological reasons. The Bible clearly records in Luke 2:8 that the shepherds were out in the fields, watching over their sheep by night, around the time of Yeshua's birth. The meteorological patterns today, for this area of Judea, are known to be exactly the same as they were around the time of Yeshua's birth. The lambs would be at risk, in the freezing weather, and would have been in shelter, during the cold Judean nights of late December. This fact makes it certain that Yeshua could not have been born in late December according to Scripture.

So, if Yeshua was not born in December, does Scripture give us a clear indication as to when he actually was born? Since God does not change, and always works within the parameters of His appointed times, if man knew the day and hour of His birth, he would also know the day and hour of His return. God intentionally keeps these times a mystery. However, God has given clear indications, in His Scriptures, as to the times and the seasons. We can know according to God's appointed times the approximate period in which Yeshua was born.

We know, for a fact, from the Scriptures, in Luke chapter one that the father of John the Baptist was a priest named Z'kharyah (Zacharias). He served in the temple burning incense during the course of Aviyah (1st Chronicles 24:10). He was chosen by the drawing of lots (Luke 1:9) as was the custom of the priests (See 1st Chronicles 24:5). The names of the different courses of priests, who served in the temple, are mentioned in 1st Chronicles 24: 1-19. Aviyah was the 8th course. Each course served in the temple for one week with the 1st course starting, in the 1st week, in month of Nisan, in the Spring (See 1st Chronicles 27:1 & 2). All priests served during God's appointed feasts of Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). After six months the cycle would repeat so each course would serve two weeks during the year.

With the above rotation sequence we can look at the information and have a pretty good idea as to when Messiah Yeshua was born. We know from Luke 1:11-20 that the angel Gabriel visited Zacharias while he was serving in the temple. We know from this information that Aviyah served in the 8th course. This would have put Zacharias serving in the temple from the month of Iyar 7 to Sivan 5. This brings us right up to the start of Shavuot (Pentecost) on Sivan 6. Since this is one of the three feasts, in which Jewish men are required to make a pilgrimage to Jerusalem, we can be sure that Zacharias would have remained in Jerusalem for another week. Upon returning home his wife Elizabeth soon conceived. If we add 40 weeks, or 280 days, to this time (the normal gestation period for humans), it would put the birth of John The Baptist right at Passover. (Remember: God always works within the parameters of His appointed times. God never works according to manmade times and seasons.)

When Elizabeth became pregnant Luke 1:24 tells us that she remained in seclusion for five months. In verse 26 Gabriel appears to Miriam (Mary) in the sixth month and tells her she is going to conceive by the Holy Spirit, and give birth to a son. He will be called the Son of God. The dialog continues through verse 37, and then in verse 38, Gabriel leaves her.  Then in verse 39 it says, Miriam hurried to the hill country to visit Elizabeth.  John leaped in Elizabeth's womb upon hearing Miriam's voice. From these passages we can determine that John would be born at least six months before Yeshua. That would put Yeshua's birth right at the first day of Sukkot (probably September, or early October, according to our calendar). Now remember this. God always works within the parameter of His appointed times. (I know I am being redundant about this but please bear with me. It is very important that this fact is embedded in your mind).

Let's examine Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles, as it is more commonly known among Gentiles. I will only highlight (for the sake of brevity) those verses, or portions of verses, from Leviticus 23:33-43, which are most important to understanding, but I suggest you read it for yourself from your own Bible.

vs. 33-36: "ADONAI said to Moshe, 'Tell the people of Isra'el, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to ADONAI. On the first day, there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work.---on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation;--- it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of work.'"

vs. 39: "But on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered the produce of the land, you are to observe the festival of ADONAI seven days; the first day is to be a complete rest and the eighth day is to be a complete rest."

vs. 41-42: "You are to observe it as a feast to ADONAI seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month. You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra'el is to live in a sukkah." 

 (All above verses from the Complete Jewish Bible)

Notice, God says, it is a feast for seven days but then He adds an eighth day to the end of this seven day feast. Why?  Again we turn to the Scriptures for the answer. In Genesis 17:10-12a,  God says this to Avraham (Abraham);

"Here is my covenant which you are to keep, between me and you, along with your descendants after you: every male among you is to be circumcised. You are to be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; this will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. Generation after generation, every male among you who is eight days old is to be circumcised,..."

From the above passages, it should be quite evident why God, in His infinite wisdom, added an eighth day at the end of the seven day feast of Sukkot. Since Messiah was to be born on the first day of Sukkot (a high holy day). Does it not make perfect sense that the eighth day, or the day of Messiah's circumcision, would also be a high holy day? Sukkot is an obvious prophetic feast pointing to the birth of Messiah Yeshua.

Many people today recognize that Yeshua was born in a manger. There was no room at the inn, because it was during Sukkot, and the roads were crowded with pilgrims heading to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. Look at any Nativity scene, or picture of a manger, and it should become obvious to you what you are seeing. It's a sukkah, or temporary dwelling place, in accordance with God's commandment that the children of Israel were to dwell in booths for the duration of the Feast of Sukkot.

Why do you think God placed these passages in Scripture? Are they only there for the purpose of great reading? He has a purpose for everything He commanded to be written down. It is so sad that most Christians do not know the Tanakh. If they did they would have so much greater understanding of the Apostolic Writings.

It is my prayer that all, who call themselves by the name of Messiah, would take the time to do your own homework. God is revealing Himself, in these last days, like He has not done since the days Yeshua made His sukkah among us in human flesh. Please, children of God, do your own searches on the pagan origins of Christmas. I implore you. Come out of the confusion of Babylon. God hates paganism and idolatry, as much today, as He did in ancient times. The time is short. Repent!

"And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth."   (John:1:14a   [TLV])

Shalom Chavarim,

Barry W. Gaugler