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1    Many say something like “we can not know when Yahshua (Jesus) was actually born”, or “what difference does it make” or “it is the thought that counts”.  Maybe it is merely a lack of knowledge and understanding, maybe it is a matter of not wanting to shake their world.  In any event, what follows is what Scripture say about when Yahshua was born.

Many, of not most “christians” claim no one knows when the Christ was born.YET, they allegedly claim to celebrate his birth on the Gregorian date of December 25.

It is TRUE that “christians” celebrate a sun god, they do not celebrate a son of God. They are sun worshippers.  They are worshipping the return of the son.

Proof is easily found in their catholic teachings of Mithra and Saturnalia.
 

Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

According to history, the Catholic church [http://www.atruechurch.info/catholicism.html] in the 4th century adapted (Christianized) the evil idolatry of its day. In the Encyclopedia Britannica (Macropaedia, 1978 edition, Vol. 15, p.1062-1063) under Roman Religion, the following is written:
 

For a time, coins and other monuments continued to link Christian doctrines with the worship of the sun, to which Constantine had been addicted previously. But even when this phase came to an end, Roman paganism continued to exert other, permanent influences, . . . [then speaking of the ecclesiastical calendar] notably Christmas, which blends elements including both the feast of Saturnalia and the birthday of Mithra.

At the risk of over simplifying the matter – in the 4th century (around 325AD) Emperor Constantine desperately wanted to make peace in his Roman empire.  He had two basic factions, one being the relatively new “christians” [jewish converts – not to be confused with modern (20th century jews) and the historical cultures [called pagans by the “christians”].  So Constantine devised an idea to JOIN the competing cultures.  Basically, he declared the ancient “pagan” holy days to now also be “christian” holidays.  Notably, this included the celebration of the returning sun and the goddess of Spring.

The Winter Solstice is the beginning of the return of the Sun, or when the days begin to get longer.  Those in various cultures whose job it was to monitor the Sun were not certain the Sun had actually began its return path in the sky until a day or two after the Solstice, when they actually noticed its position had reversed.  So once the official observer had noted the returning Sun he would make an announcement and then the community would celebrate.  Hence, the process of noting the returning Sun and celebrating it took about 3 days.  The Winter Solstice occurring on a day the Gregorian calendar marks as December 22, begins the 3 day notice and celebration, which happens on December 25.

HENCE, DECEMBER 25 IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE SUN, OR THE RETURN OF THE SUN.

Elements of Mithra are
 

1. Mithra was born of a virgin on December 25th in a cave, and his birth was attended by shepherds.
2. He was considered a great traveling teacher and master.
3. He had 12 companions or disciples.
4. Mithra's followers were promised immortality.
5. He performed miracles.
6. As the "great bull of the Sun," Mithra sacrificed himself for world peace.
7. He was buried in a tomb and after three days rose again.
8. His resurrection was celebrated every year.
9. He was called "the Good Shepherd" and identified with both the Lamb and the Lion.
10. He was considered the "Way, the Truth and the Light," and the "Logos," "Redeemer," "Savior" and "Messiah."
11. His sacred day was Sunday, the "Lord's Day," hundreds of years before the appearance of Christ.
12. Mithra had his principal festival of what was later to become Easter.
13. His religion had a eucharist or "Lord's Supper," at which Mithra said, "He who shall not eat of my body nor drink of my blood so that he may be one with me and I with him, shall not be saved."
14. "His annual sacrifice is the passover of the Magi, a symbolical atonement or pledge of moral and physical regeneration."
15. Shmuel Golding is quoted as saying that 1 Cor. 10:4 is "identical words to those found in the Mithraic scriptures, except that the name Mithra is used instead of Christ."
16. The Catholic Encyclopedia is quoted as saying that Mithraic services were conduced by "fathers" and that the "chief of the fathers, a sort of pope, who always lived at Rome, was called 'Pater Patratus.'"

Saturnalia probably was the most popular Roman festival. Saturnalia was held in mid-December to honor the god Saturn with feasting, gift giving and role reversal [where the rich and poor switched places].

All of this and more is easily provable and shows what is really celebrated on December 25, but strays a bit from the proof intended by this study, being what Scripture tells us is the birthdate of the Messiah..

First, a very brief explanation of a few words is needed.  Yahshua is the name of the Messiah, and it is what his mother and friends called him.  Israel is the name of the creator (son of God) when he is not in the flesh.  Israel is also the name of HIS people (hence context is important to understand which meaning applies).

The English name "jesus" has NO meaning in any language.  "jesus" is a Greek/Latin hybrid.  “jesus” is an English variant of a bastardized Greek/Latin word/name, not Hebrew or Aramic.  But, after all, what is in a name.
 

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other NAME under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

But, this is a point for a different study.

Now you can at least know who is referenced in this study.
 

Let us see what doctor Luke has to say to help us determine the timing of the birth of the Messiah.

Luke wrote what amounts to 24 chapters in his book and began his writings (the 1st 2 chapters) with the chronology of the birth of Yahshua.

In Luke 1:5-25 (en# 1) we are told about the conception of John, the cousin of Yahshua.  The story begins with telling us what John’s father, Zacharias, was doing and when he was doing it.

The angel, Gabriel, appeared to Zacharias (father of John) as he was ministering in the Temple, it was during the ministration of Abiyah (Abia).  Abiyah was the patriarch of Zacharias' family after which his Temple duties were assigned. This order of Abiyah priests ministered in the Temple the eighth week of the Hebrew year according to the ordinance of 1 Chronicles 24:10 (en# 2).  The eighth week is the last week of the second Hebrew month, which is near Pentecost (Shavuot) (around 10 weeks). This is the anchor point for discovering the exact time of Yahshua’s, the Messiah, birth.  The angel, Gabriel, promised Zacharias that his prayer of a child had been answered, and after he went home, his wife, Elizabeth, conceived, it seems almost immediately. This puts the conception of John (the Baptist) after the 8th week of the year, after the beginning of the third (3rd) month of the year.

How do we know Zacharias’s duties were in the 8th week?  We must visit 1 Chronicles 24.

The duties of the priests and their schedule in 1 Chronicles 24 are only half a years time.  1 Chronicles 25 includes the schedule for the 2nd half year.  In this way, the descendants of certain Levite families delineated in 1 Chronicles 24 & 25 will follow in their fathers business and perform these same duties.  So, Luke 1:5-9 says that John's father was a certain priest named Zacharias, who was of the course of Abia.  1 Chronicles 24:10 tells us the duties of Abijah is the 8th week of the year.

At this point it is important to remember that Israel’s (the creator) calendar begins at the time of Abib.  Abib means green ears and is when the Barley will be ripe for harvest.  Typically this puts the 1st month of HIS calendar around the end of March or beginning of April in the Gregorian calendar.

JOHN IS PROBABLY CONCEIVED IN THE 9TH [early of 3rd month] WEEK OF THE YEAR [approximately end of May in the Gregorian calendar].

Human gestation is 39 weeks so if we add that to the week John is conceived we get 9 + 39 = 48.

JOHN IS BORN IN THE 48TH WEEK [12th month of the year] OF THE YEAR [approximately the middle to end of March in the Gregorian calendar].

Luke 1:26 & 36 & 39 (en# 3) tells us that Mary (mother of Yahshua) visited Elisabeth during Elisabeth’s 6th month of pregnancy.  Luke 1:26-55 (en# 3)tells us that Yahshua is conceived at the time of this visit.  This would take our count to around the 33rd week of the year (9 + 24 = 33).

An interesting contrast is that Luke 1:56-57 (en# 6) tells us that Mary stayed with Elisabeth 3 months till John was born.  If this is true and John was born around week 48 of the year, then Mary began her visit with Elisabeth around week 36.  There may be about a month discrepancy regarding the time beginning Mary’s visit to Elisabeth, and Yahshua’s conception.  But, since we can add and show that John was born around the 48th week of the year, we can at least be comfortable in that conclusion.  It follows then that if Mary stayed 3months till John’s birth, she arrived around wee 36.  This would mean the 6th month references in Luke 1:26-39 may be rather general and not specific.

Regardless, the timing of Mary going to visit Elisabeth is the time of Yahshua’s conception.

YAHSHUA IS CONCEIVED AROUND THE 36TH WEEK OF THE YEAR [approximately latter part of December in the Gregorian calendar].

Now we can again use the gestation time of 39 weeks and add it to the 36th week of the year and we get 75 weeks.  Since a 12 month year is only 48 weeks (assuming no leap year), this means 75 – 48 = 27 weeks into the next year is when Yahshua was born.

YASHUA IS BORN AROUND WEEK 27 OF THE NEXT YEAR [approximately end of September in the Gregorian calendar].
Incidentally, 27 / 4 = 7 months plus 3 weeks.  Israel (the creator) told us that the 15-22 days of the 7th month should be one of his appointed feasts, called Tabernacles.  Since almost everything Israel (the creator) did, or will do, is tied to his appointed times, it is reasonable to figure that Yahshua was born during one of them and especially during the one which means “temporary dwelling” and which is the only 8 day feast time.  Eight days seems significant since his circumcision would have been on the 8th day after his birth on the first day.

Each year consists of twelve or thirteen months, with months consisting of 29 or 30 days. An intercalary [Intercalation is the insertion of a leap day, week or month into some calendar years to make the calendar follow the seasons or moon phases] month is introduced in years 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 17, and 19 in a nineteen-year cycle of 235 lunations.

If the year in question for the birth of Yahshua was a 12 month year, then the counting in this study fits.

In any event, the birth of Yahshua WAS NOT in the Gregorian month of December.

Remember,
 

Amos 5: 21 I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.
22 Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.
23 Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

So, if you are celebrating your own selected day for his birth, death or anything else, you DO NOT have a blessing of God.

Israel (the creator) will not ACCEPT you gatherings or celebrations or “holy” days.  I dare say you can bet he will not accept you festives, especially if you refuse to honor HIS feast days.

Yahshua was probably born during the Feast of Tabernacles, probably on the first day, and circumcised on the 8th day of the only 8 day appointed time (Feast - Holy Days) of Israel (the creator).

22    The first day of Tabernacles is a Sabbath rest, so it fits that John and Mary planned their journey to Bethlehem, so they would finish their journey before the festival Sabbath. They found lodging just in time.

23    Regarding the Feast of Tabernacles, Israel (the creator) commanded that Israel (his people) should observe it eight days.  They were to build temporary dwellings (Tabernacles) called a Sukkah and dwell in them (Leviticus 23:34-43) (en# 8).  These Sukkahs were erected to house families with some bare comforts and food for the eight days.  Food was placed in a stall or a crib for storage in the tabernacle.  The King James Bible calls this food crib a manger.  Yahshua was not born in a barn, but rather in a temporary tabernacle which had been built for the celebration.

24    On the eighth day of the Feast of Tabernacles, Yahshua was circumcised according to the scriptural command (Luke 2:21) (en# 7).  For a male, this is what accomplishes a full Hebrew birth.  The Feast of Tabernacles is for exactly eight days.  The first and last days are both holy Sabbaths.  Yahshua was born on the first day, a holy Sabbath, and circumcised on the eighth day, a holy Sabbath.  Evidently, Israel (the creator) intended this entire Feast of Tabernacles to be set aside as a special feast, one reason was to accomplish and celebrate Yahshua's birth into the world.
 
 

25    This chronology provides us with the exact day of Yahshua's birth, according to the Hebrew calendar.  The Hebrew calendar is kept updated to this modern day, and every year the Feast of Tabernacles is absolutely set from 15th to the 22nd of the 7th month. The Hebrew calendar is based on the course of the Moon (Lunar) with its annual beginning established by a solar seasonal relationship of the first ears of barley (Deuteronomy 16:1) (en# 9). This means the Feast of Tabernacles will always occur somewhere between mid-September and mid-October, but not on the exact same Gregorian dates every year.

26    The Feast of Tabernacles is a most important commemoration. Zechariah 14:16 - 17 (en# 10) tells us that in the end days ALL NATIONS (nations means peoples, and refers to those who enter the Kingdom) will honor this feast.   For what greater reason, than it is the birthday of the King of Kings!  Why should we delay celebrating it?

27    It is hoped and prayed that the Ekklesia will return to the roots of her faith and learn to restore the fallen foundations.  May we all work to overcome the influence of pagan customs in our celebrations and become separate from this world as a holy people before Israel (the creator).

endnotes

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Luke 1:1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
 2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
 3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
 4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.
 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
 7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
 8 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest's office before God in the order of his course,
 9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.
 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord 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 unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.
 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.
 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, 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.
 18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
 19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
 20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
 21 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple.
 22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.
 23 And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
 24 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying,
 25 Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.

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1 Chronicles 24:1 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
 2 But Nadab and Abihu died before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office.
 3 And David distributed them, both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service.
 4 And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers.
 5 Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar.
 6 And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the king, and the princes, and Zadok the priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar.
 7 Now the first lot came forth 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 Aphses,
 16 The nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezekel,
 17 The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,
 18 The three and twentieth to Delaiah, the four and twentieth to Maaziah.
 19 These were the orderings of them in their service to come into the house of the LORD, according to their manner, under Aaron their father, as the LORD God of Israel had commanded him.
 20 And the rest of the sons of Levi were these: Of the sons of Amram; Shubael: of the sons of Shubael; Jehdeiah.

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Luke 1: 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
 27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
 28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
 30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
 34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
 35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshdow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
 36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
 37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.
 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
 39 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda;
 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth.
 41 And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
 42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
 43 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
 44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
 45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
 46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
 47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
 48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
 50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
 53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
 54 He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
 55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

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John 10:20 And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
 21 Others said, These are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a devil open the eyes of the blind?
 22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
 24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.
 25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

-5-  <return to link>
John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
 30 I and my Father are one.
 31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
 32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

-6-  <return to link>
Luke 1: 56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house.
 57 Now Elisabeth's full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son.
 58 And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her.
 59 And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father.
 60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John.
 61 And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name.
 62 And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called.
 63 And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all.
 64 And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.
 65 And fear came on all that dwelt round about them: and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the hill country of Judaea.
 66 And all they that heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, What manner of child shall this be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
 67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying,
 68 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,
 69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
 70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
 71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;
 72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;
 73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,
 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.
 76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
 77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
 78 Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
 79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
 80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
 

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Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, 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 manger; 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 the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord 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 a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
 14 Glory to God 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 Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
 21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, 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 law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
 23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
 24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband 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 God with fastings and prayers night and day.
 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
 41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?
 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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Leviticus 23:34 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD.
 35 On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
 36 Seven days ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: on the eighth day shall be an holy convocation unto you; and ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and ye shall do no servile work therein.
 37 These are the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD, a burnt offering, and a meat offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, every thing upon his day:
 38 Beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside all your vows, and beside all your freewill offerings, which ye give unto the LORD.
 39 Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the LORD seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath.
 40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
 41 And ye shall keep it a feast unto the LORD seven days in the year. It shall be a statute for ever in your generations: ye shall celebrate it in the seventh month.
 42 Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths:
 43 That your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in booths, when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
 44 And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.

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Deuteronomy 16:1 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the passover unto the LORD thy God: for in the month of Abib the LORD thy God brought thee forth out of Egypt by night.
 2 Thou shalt therefore sacrifice the passover unto the LORD thy God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to place his name there.
 3 Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
 4 And there shall be no leavened bread seen with thee in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which thou sacrificedst the first day at even, remain all night until the morning.
 5 Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee:
 6 But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.
 7 And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
 8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.
 9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
 10 And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto the LORD thy God with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto the LORD thy God, according as the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

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Zechariah 14:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that a great tumult from the LORD shall be among them; and they shall lay hold every one on the hand of his neighbour, and his hand shall rise up against the hand of his neighbour.
 14 And Judah also shall fight at Jerusalem; and the wealth of all the heathen round about shall be gathered together, gold, and silver, and apparel, in great abundance.
 15 And so shall be the plague of the horse, of the mule, of the camel, and of the ass, and of all the beasts that shall be in these tents, as this plague.
 16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
 17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
 18 And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
 19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
 20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar.
 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.

Tribble
April 2003
revised: December 2003
revised January 2004 (for new website)
revised: January 2008
 

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