The Real Christmas Story
When Is Jesus’ Birthday?
Luke 1:5-56 Part 1
One of the most controversial least known facts in history is the time of Jesus’ birth. For centuries men have debated over the events surrounding the nativity. Was Jesus born on December 25th, most bible scholars know this not to be true. The facts denounce any conclusions drawn from man’s traditions: 1. It would have been highly unlikely that Joseph, Mary and the unborn Child could have made this journey to Bethlehem in the middle of winter. 2. Shepherds are not out in the field in the middle of December because there is no grass to eat during that time of the year.3. The final; and I believe, the most overlooked fact is there was no room at the Inn. If you take a moment and ask yourself the most treaded question, “Why was there no room at the Inn?” it leads to a path few people take. “If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God.” In order for to answer the age-old issue of “When was Jesus Born?” we must look at the three facts previously mentioned.
But before we go there let’s look at the scene surrounding Jesus’ cousin’s, John the Baptist, birth. You’re going to need your Bibles for this journey. Let’s look at the Gospel according to Luke. We have to remember Luke was not only a writer but he was also a historian and a doctor by trade. In order to persuade his non-believer friends, both Jew and Gentile, he had to be very detailed in revealing that Jesus was and is the Son of God.
The Lot of Zacharias’ Service in the Temple
Luke 1:5-10 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.
Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, was not just a priest but he was a High Priest. The office of the High Priest could only be carried out by a male who was a “Son of Aaron”. This meant only the direct descendants of Aaron could hold this office. If you didn’t have any sons in your family this office fell to your daughter’s husband, in this case it was Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband.
Each of the Sons of Aaron was given a “lot” or a division to serve in the temple during the course of a year. Zacharias’ “lot” or division was of Abijah. These divisions were established during the time of King David (I Chr 24:1-19)
Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 And Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children; therefore Eleazar and Ithamar ministered as priests. 3 Then David with Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, divided them according to the schedule of their service.
4 There were more leaders found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar, and thus they were divided. Among the sons of Eleazar were sixteen heads of their fathers’ houses, and eight heads of their fathers’ houses among the sons of Ithamar. 5 Thus they were divided by lot, one group as another, for there were officials of the sanctuary and officials of the house of God, from the sons of Eleazar and from the sons of Ithamar. 6 And the scribe, Shemaiah the son of Nethanel, one of the Levites, wrote them down before the king, the leaders, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and the heads of the fathers’ houses of the priests and Levites, one father’s house taken for Eleazar and one for Ithamar.
7 Now the first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, 8 the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, 9 the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin, 10 the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, 11 the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, 12 the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, 13 the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, 14 the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, 15 the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, 16 the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel, 17 the twenty-first to Jachin, the twenty-second to Gamul, 18 the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah.
19 This was the schedule of their service for coming into the house of the Lord according to their ordinance by the hand of Aaron their father, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded.
There were 24 divisions, which meant you would have to send a family representative only once every two years. In order to know the time of year the 8th lot fell on you have to be familiar with the Hebrew calendar. Remember, our current calendar and the Hebrew calendar do not coincide. I’m going to give you the brief summary of the Lot of Abijah. The eighth lot was during the Civil Hebrew calendar of Iyar (April-May using our current calendar). If you would like a copy of the Hebrew calendar, both Civil and Sacred, please email me at pastor@TempleOfTheRemnant.org.
An Angel Announces the Birth of John The Baptist
Luke 1:11-17 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in the month of Iyar (Apr-May) in the Temple while in the Holy Place. He not only announces the birth of John but he also declares what John’s purpose is. God is letting Zacharias know that He has not forgotten about him. John was to fulfill the duty of the High Priest by preparing the people for the Lord. He was to prepare them by being filled with the Holy Ghost and bringing about repentance among the children of Israel.
The first step to revival is repentance. Repentance is more than just turning FROM something but it involves turning TO Someone. That Someone being Jesus Christ. Once we do that then the Lord will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. Will we continue to tell our children that a man in a red suit is dropping them off gifts? The news stations even show “Santa” flying across the sky on Christmas Eve to deliver presents. We hide presents and sneak them in the house and tell them a man delivered them because they were “good” this year. As they get older they find out that there is no Santa, no Easter Bunny, and no Tooth Fairy so they draw a conclusion that God isn’t real either. Just something to think about.
The Days Of John the Baptist’s ConceptionLuke 1:18-25 18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. 20 But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”
21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
23 So it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that he departed to his own house. 24 Now after those days his wife Elizabeth conceived; and she hid herself five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
The angel closes Zacharias mouth at the time he needed to speak to the people. Zacharias’ lot was complete and the people began to worry because he had not come out yet. When a High Priest entered into the Temple he was to “hear a word from the Lord and make a declaration to the masses. But Zacharias was unable to leave the Holy Place. No one had heard him saying anything. They thought that he had died in the Holy Place. If a High Priest died while being in the presence of the Lord this meant destruction for God’s children. The people believed that if God would strike down His own High Priest then there would be no hope for the “common” man.
Zacharias wanted to say something but he couldn’t the bible says, “he beckoned for them and remained speechless”. As soon as his days of service were completed, he went home. This gets us into the month of Sivan (May-June). His wife, Elizabeth, conceived and she hid herself five months. Now we’re in the month of Heshvan (Oct-Nov). But in the sixth month things began to change.
Gabriel Announces to Mary that She Shall Conceive a Son
Luke 1:26-33 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Now in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s conception Mary was visited by Gabriel and told she would have a Son. His name shall be called JESUS. Let us go back to verse 28: Mary was blessed AMONG women not blessed ABOVE women. This is a key element in this passage of scripture. If Mary were blessed ABOVE women it meant that she was to be worshipped. Mary is NOT to be worshipped, hailed, nor prayed to. She was a vessel chosen by God because she found favor with the Lord. And since favor is something that cannot be earned, those that have it should not get beside themselves.
In the sixth month Gabriel made the announcement that the Son of God would be brought forth through her. Notice Gabriel said she would conceive. It had not taken place yet. This takes place during the month of Chislev (Nov-Dec). Again we need to understand the time of year this is taking place. The second most important element God uses to deal with man is time the most important is love. He tells us in Genesis chapter 1:14, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years. God made the lights in the heaven so man could recognize the time.
Mary Miraculously ConceivesLuke 1:34-38 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her
Mary had not known a man so she thought it was impossible to conceive. The angel told her the Holy Spirit WILL come upon you and the power of the Highest WILL overshadow you. “Will” is stating it had not taken place yet. We are still in Chislev (Nov-Dec). But there is an event that takes place during this time of the year when the Holy Spirit came down and visited his people. This is during the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. The Apostle John wrote about when Jesus was conceived (John 1:6-8 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.) That Light, John the Baptist was a witness to, being Jesus Christ. For further proof let’s look at when Mary visits Elizabeth.
Mary Visits ElizabethLuke 1:39-45 39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
Mary was in Galilee and she made the journey to Judah to see Elizabeth. This is about a weeks travel by donkey and by foot. She arrived towards the middle or the end of December in our modern calendar. Mary had not made the announcement about being pregnant. Elizabeth knew because at the sound of Mary’s greeting John the Baptist leaped in her womb. This was during the Festival of Lights; remember Elizabeth was six months pregnant, which would have made it December. During this time certain items were dedicated to the Lord in the Temple. Most scholars relate Hanukkah with the Dedication of Solomon’s Temple (I Chr. 28 and John 10) but it actually dates back to the time of Moses (Num 7:1-10; 84-88). And for the interested Bible scholars I Chr 7:11-83 deal with the true Twelve Days of Christmas.
Mary’s Song Of Praise
Luke 1:46-55 46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy,
55 As He spoke to our fathers,
To Abraham and to his seed forever.”
Notice the similarities between Mary’s prophecy and that of David in I Chr 29:10-18. It is not a coincidence that Elizabeth conceived at the time she did and Mary conceived six months later. Since we know Elizabeth conceived during the month of Sivan and Jesus was conceived six months later during the month of Chislev then we can find out when Jesus was born.
Nine months from Chislev (Nov-Dec) is Tishri (Sept-Oct) and that places us during the Feast of Tabernacles. It was during the Feast of Tabernacles that “He became flesh and dwelt among us”. In order for Christ to be our Savior He had to fulfill ALL of the Holy Days. For these Days were established by man but were established by God to remind mankind of His goodness and mercy toward us.
I know most of the world will not receive the things that were said in this lesson. If you have gotten this far it means that you are really searching for answers. How can we, Believers, bring our brothers and sisters into the knowledge of the truth if we don’t understand the truth ourselves? Jews and Muslims alike think that Christians are so for away from the Most High God that they consider us heathen aka infidels. The greatest love letter ever given to man is God’s word. All of our answers are in His word. I’m not saying this to ruin anybody’s Christmas. I’m saying this to put Christ back into Christmas. December 25th celebrates the time Jesus (The Light) was conceived but the Feast of Tabernacles is when He was born (became flesh and dwelt among us).
Part II “The Real Christmas Story…And He Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us” is coming shortly.
May God continue to bless each and every one of you.
Pastor A. James Tutson
Luke 1:34-38 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.”
38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her
Mary had not known a man so she thought it was impossible to conceive. The angel told her the Holy Spirit WILL come upon you and the power of the Highest WILL overshadow you. “Will” is stating it had not taken place yet. We are still in Chislev (Nov-Dec). But there is an event that takes place during this time of the year when the Holy Spirit came down and visited his people. This is during the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. The Apostle John wrote about when Jesus was conceived (John 1:6-8 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.) That Light, John the Baptist was a witness to, being Jesus Christ. For further proof let’s look at when Mary visits Elizabeth.
