Big Bubba - The Holidays Threads Merged

[pixelpusher]

And that is why I'm such a meanie and a grump according to some. My reasoning was not as perfectly assembled, it was simpler: "If I lie to my kids about Santa, how will they trust me about Christ?"

But its just in good fun...

Subtle subtle subtle. In your face subtle.

[Regan7312]

So I am very curious about Christmas. I am curious as to why people think December was when Jesus' was born? I would like verses helping me understand. As I think the Feast of the Tabernacles was around when Jesus' was born. I am a new-ish Christian so don't be mean, just honest!

[Wishing4]

I found this:

http://www.gotquestions.org/December-25.html

[Regan7312]

Thanks! And that is true, if God wanted us to know he would have given us a date. So I will try not to focus so much on a date then, it's just something I was/am curious about.

[Wishing4]

I understand. I find the Feasts very interesting and have been studying about them a bit. I have been a Christian most of my life but have learned so much in the past couple of years. For example, I am finding the Old Testament more and more interesting because I am finding how much it points to Jesus. I wish I would have studied this stuff earlier.

[acceptedintheBeloved]

Christmas...can someone help me understand?

So I am very curious about Christmas. I am curious as to why people think December was when Jesus' was born? I would like verses helping me understand. As I think the Feast of the Tabernacles was around when Jesus' was born. I am a new-ish Christian so don't be mean, just honest!

I agree that it was likely Tabernacles when He was born. This is what I wrote on another forum (in a slightly different context of conversation):

I don't have the time to explain it all out, right now [...], but it is believed that this date (Kislev 24 [Haggai 2:18], which we now know as Hanukkah) was when Jesus was conceived (Luke 1:35 [Matt 1:20]), aka "feast of dedication [John 10:22]," "the festival of LIGHTS"... and born some 40 weeks later at Tabernacles ("the Word was made flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us"--John 1:14), which is usually around our September. It is figured through understanding of the timing of "the course of Abia[Abijah]" [Lk 1:5] (of the 24 courses [1 Chr 24:10]), and the 6 month difference between John the Baptist's and Jesus' births... too long for me to go into right now.

I don't mind celebrating His birth in December, though (as that is likely when He was conceived anyway).

[IMSAVED]

It is only a date Regan.The most important fact here is that Jesus came to Earth and was born to Mary and Joseph.To die on the cross for you and me for our sins.

[Regan7312]

Thanks guys! I was just interested to see what other people thought about it, someone posted something on Facebook and got me thinking, you know how it is. I also find the Feasts interesting to learn about though!

[james46888]

So I am very curious about Christmas. I am curious as to why people think December was when Jesus' was born? I would like verses helping me understand. As I think the Feast of the Tabernacles was around when Jesus' was born. I am a new-ish Christian so don't be mean, just honest!

There are no verses which tell us when the birth happened. But for why Dec 25 came to be known as the date, see: www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=16-10-012-v. My personal opinion is that although we don't know when He was born, there is no reason why a winter date is impossible.

[Blood Bought]

Luke 2:8 would indicate, not likely. They wouldn't be in the field in winter months, and they generally don't after the start of the rain season. August/September seems more likely.

[james46888]

Luke 2:8 would indicate, not likely. They wouldn't be in the field in winter months, and they generally don't after the start of the rain season. August/September seems more likely.

Actually someone else made that point - which is quite a popular one - a couple of weeks back and I answered that in post #24 here: http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?182132-The-Almost-Christmas-Holiday-thread/page2

[Sandee]

Ya know, I have not considered it very important that Jesus was or was not born on December 25. My sister was born on December 18, and when we were growing up Mom always wanted to give her a birthday party so she did it in July. I always just assumed that December 25 is when we remember His birth, but it could have been anytime during the year, its just that we remember him then, kinda like we did for my sister.

[IamHis]

Here's an in depth article from the Biblical Archaeology site
as to how Christmas came to be celebrated on Dec 25th.

http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/d...ampaign=E2BD10

[BarbT]

Hi Regan

Just as an aside, you'll see lots of people every December try to discourage you from acknowledging/celebrating Christmas due to irrelevant issues they probably discovered on apostate websites.

They'll endlessly cite the pagan origin of the Christmas tree and/or the fact we don't know the exact date of the Savior's birth as reasons believers should stick their noses in the air and ignore December 25th. As it that's a great witness.

Don't listen to the lemon-eaters .....the fact Jesus Christ came at all is reason enough to use this time to joyously point others to Him!

[Chaya]

It is pretty clear that Jesus was not born on Dec. 25. For one, it was at the time of the census for tax purposes. You can't tax people in the winter when the fields are bare; the most likely time would be during the harvest. And as previously mentioned, shepherds wouldn't be abiding in the field during winter. There appears to be some scholarly research that indicates Jesus was born on Sukkot, using the time that Zecharias took his turn in the temple along with other indicators. Dec. 25 was the feast of Saturnalia, a time of drunken debauchery. Things haven't changed much.

[Kliska]

Don't judge others according to the days kept, that is what Paul tells us. If one dedicates a day to the Lord, let it be to the Lord. If December 25th is a day unto the Lord for you, keep it, and let no one judge.

[kim0515]

Someone brought this to my attention and I would like to know is this scripture talking about the Christmas Tree.

Idols and the True God

Jeremiah 10

Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.
2 Thus says the Lord:
“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4 They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5 They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good.”

[HisBeloved]

http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bibl...pagan-holiday/

This is a link from Jack Kelley's webpage. Hope it helps

[DaughterOfRuth]

I have a favorite childhood memory about a Christmas tree. The room lights were out and only the tree lights were illuminated. My younger brother and I were laying on the ground next to our baby brother. I remember my younger brother pointing out to some shadows on the ceiling. He was about 7 years old and was pointing to one spot where the shadow of the branches looked like the manger. He pointed out how other branches looked like animals (wild imagination I know). When I see a Christmas tree, it brings smiles to my face. Christmas trees reminds me of how my younger brother was telling the birth of Jesus story to my baby brother.

When my children were young, they loved to participate in the church food giving program. Each year they would get an angel decoration for our tree. Those ornaments meant a lot to them. They really looked forward to giving each year. I am thankful to God for His creation and gifts. I am thankful that God has allowed me so many nice memories of love and family that have occurred around our tree.

[kim0515]

I have great memories also, I love having a Christmas Tree I have one right now in my living room. When a friend called me and was telling me he saw in the bible that we shouldn't have a Christmas tree I was feeling like maybe I should throw mine out but before I did that I wanted to see what others thought about it. Thank you all so much!! God Bless and have a Merry Christmas.