Tomorrow brings with it the first day of Gregorian New Year, an interesting calendar to say the least. Here you have a calendar based on a 12 month cycle (although 13 equal months fits very well, with 13 – 28 day months (364 days), and one month which would require an amendment to of one additional day), of which the twelfth month is called December (meaning the 10th month), the eleventh month is called November (meaning the ninth month), the tenth month is called October (meaning the eighth month) and the ninth month is called September (meaning the seventh month). So the first of the year is fixed at the first day of the month of Janus, which is the eleventh/first month of the year.
You recall that Christmas is fixed on the 25th day of the tenth/twelfth month called December, which is always 3 days following the first gain of daylight which occurs on the day after the winter solstice on December 21st. The sun is reborn and returns. The coincidence of MASHIACH’S three evenings and three mornings in the tomb with this practice is actually an artificial construct born out of an apocryphal edict and married to a pagan practice.
Again, scratching our memory, we find that Chanukkah – the feast of dedication – is to be practiced beginning on the 25th day of the ninth month (Kislev), and it is a feast that is to last eight days, as a reminder of the feast of Sukka’oth, also called the feast of tabernacles, which begins on the 15th day of the seventh month and continues in practice also for eight days.
The marriage of pagan practices with scripture – where the Sabbath was converted to the day when the sun worshippers worshipped the sun, then, necessarily the birth day of MASHIACH, which we ascribe occurred on the first day of the feast of tabernacles, or the 15th day of Tishrei (Ethaniym), required a date consistent with the high holy day of sun worship, which of course would be the celebration of the return of the sun on the 25th day of the twelfth (tenth) month called December in the Gregorian/Julian regimen.
The practice of circumcision for males under the Torah occurred on the eighth day following the birth
Vayiqra (Leviticus) 12:1-3
AND YAHUAH spoke unto Mosheh, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Yisra’el, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.
The early church recognized the circumcision of MASHIACH (WWJD?), because it most conspicuously appears in the test of the Besorah Lucas:
Besorah Lucas (Luke) 2:21-24
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called YAHUSHA, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of her purification according to the Torah of Mosheh were accomplished, they brought him to Yerushalayim, to present him to YAHUAH; 23 (As it is written in the Torah of YAHUAH, Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to YAHUAH;) 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the Torah of YAHUAH, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Let it be said at this juncture that both Yoceph and Miryam were Torah keepers to the last detail, and they proceeded accordingly. So MASHIACH was presented in the Temple, not only for the circumcision, but to offer the first born to YAHUAH. Now consider that they also did this on the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, i.e., Sukka’oth, as the Word tabernacled among them. It was for all of these reasons that the following occurs, iterated again in the Besorah Lucas:
Besorah Lucas (Luke) 2:25-39
And, behold, there was a man in Yerushalayim, whose name was Shim`on; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Yisra’el: and the RUACH HAQODESH was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the RUACH HAQODESH, that he should not see death, before he had seen YAHUAH’S את (eth)-MASHIACH. 27 And he came by the RUACH into the Temple: and when the parents brought in the child YAHUSHA, to do for him after the custom of the Torah, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed ELOHIYM, and said, 29 YAHUAH, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word: 30 For my eyes have seen your YAHUSHA, 31 Which you have prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the other people, and the glory of your people Yisra’el. 33 And Yoceph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Shim`on blessed them, and said unto Miryam his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Yisra’el; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through your own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Channah, a prophetess, the daughter of Penu’el, of the tribe of Asher: she was of a great age, and had lived with a man seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the Temple, but served את (eth)-ELOHIYM with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto YAHUAH, and spoke of him to all them that looked for redemption in Yerushalayim. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the Torah of YAHUAH, they returned into Galiyl, to their own city Netsereth.
Spectacular! MASHIACH is presented in the Temple being only 8 days old, and two give witness to his being MASHIACH – one presumably of the southern kingdom (Yahudah) and one of the northern kingdom (Yisra’el). We note again, that this occurred on the eighth day following His birth.
For those who ascribe to December 25 as the birth day, one might ask which day is eight days after? Yes, it is January 1.
Enter the Feast of the Circumcision. This Feast is celebrated on January 1 in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and in the Anglican Church, and until they changed its name, in the Roman Catholic Church. Now it is called the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus at the Vatican. Apparently, the idea of celebrating the circumcision became, as they say, a bit circumspect.
To add a bit of light on the actual birthdate, and our thinking on the subject, consider first this passage from the Besorah Yahuchanon:
Besorah Yahuchanon (John) 1:1-5; 14
IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with את (eth) ELOHIYM, and the Word was ELOHIYM. 2 The same was in the beginning with את (eth) ELOHIYM. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and tabernacled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the את (eth)-firstborn את (eth)-Son of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The firstborn Son of the Father is the Word made flesh who tabernacled among us. Given that discussion, why would it not be that he was born on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles?
Consider the birth narrative, found in Besorah Lucas 2:
Besorah Lucas (Luke) 2:1-17
AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Qeycar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Quriyniyuc was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. 4 And Yoceph also went up from Galiyl, out of the city of Netsereth, into Yahudah, unto the city of David, which is called Beyt Lechem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Miryam his espoused woman, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a cukkah; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of ELOHIYM came upon them, and the glory of YAHUAH shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David the Saviour, which is YAHUAH the MASHIACH. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a cukkah. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising ELOHIYM, and saying, 14 Glory to ELOHIYM in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Beyt Lechem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which YAHUAH has made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Miryam, and Yoceph, and the babe lying in a cukkah. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
While I realize that many have said the word here is manger (from the Greek φατνη fat'-nay, which means a crib, manager, or stall. However, for those of you who have been to Yershalayim at the Feast of Tabernacles, you can attest to the current reality that there is rarely room at the inn. It is also common for all of the families around to put up cukkahs for the Feast of Tabernacles, which in the Hebrew is called Sukka’oth (Cukk’oth), or the Feast of Cukkahs. These Cukkahs are also called booths (stalls?) and are commonly built as four hasty walls with palm leaves for a roof covering.
Therefore, it would be quite possible for Yoceph and Miryam to make a journey in the early Fall (September 15 was the first day of Sukka’oth in the year 4 B.C.) to Yerushaliym (as compared to traveling over the cold mountains in December); it would be quite likely that once they arrived, there would be no room at any of the inns, since all males were required to go up for this Feast; it would be common that they might try their luck in Beth Lechem (Bethlehem), because the city was full; it would also be likely that someone would offer them a Cukka in which to stay; finally, it is quite likely that the Shepherds will still be in the fields in September tending their sheep.
Therefore, given this chronology, the birth was on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and the circumcision was on the eighth day thereof, known as Simcha Torah – the joy of the Torah. Doesn’t that say it all?