But before we get too far into the subject... this page intends to present Christmas simply by taking a look at its historical roots. Might  as well be intelligent about it, especially if yours is a family of faith. Then, your kids will be able to cut through the confusion and clutter, and won't doubt everything else that's been told them. You know -- throwing the Baby (in the manger) out with the muddied bath water -- after they grow up, go read a book at the school library, and discover the truths about the reason for the Season.

So what's the fuss about Christmas Day, or eleven more for a total of Twelve... anyway? After all, Christ was born in the fall -- on the Feast of Trumpets.

The Scripture says: There were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field, keeping watch over their flock by night -- Luke 2:8 It's a well known fact that scruffy shepherds in Palestine do not "abide in their fields" during the Winter months.

I mean... look at these pictures of snow in Jerusalem. Do you see any shepherds in their fields keeping watch even in the daytime? Can you imagine spending the night out in this same kind of weather? Do you think the people back then would be any different than you or me? The furthest thing from our minds is to spend some holiday (...or any day for that matter) sitting out in the snow. Well, maybe some oddball shepherd with frozen brain and bun cells was out there, but it's not the custom. The shepherds always bring their flocks in from the chilly mountain slopes and fields no later than mid- October!

It is obvious that Christ was not born in the middle of Winter. On the other hand, the Scriptures do tell us in what season of the year he was born... (well, in a round about way). There is a way to approximate the birth of his cousin, John the Baptist; and since John was born six months before Jesus, by comparing the two, we can pretty much determine at least the season when Christ was born.

John's father, Zacharias, was a priest in the temple at Jerusalem. During those times, each priest had a definite period of the year to serve in the temple. There were 24 such time periods, divisions, or courses when each priest would serve during the year. The names of these courses are given in 1 Chronicles 24:7-19. According to Josephus, each of these courses lasted for one week, the first course began in the first month, Nisan (you'll find that on the Hebrew Calendar), in the very early spring (1 Chron. 27:1,2). Each priest in order would then serve his course. After six months, this order of courses was repeated, so that each priest served his course -- twice a year. Then, three weeks out of the year, all the priests served together -- during the periods of the Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles.

It is written that Zacharias served in the course of Abijah. According to Chronicles, Abijah was eighth in order. This would have been Iyar 27 to Sivan 5 on the Hebrew Calendar (early to middle June on the Gregorian Calendar). Nine months later... (according to the story, right?), John would have been born (the middle of March). Jesus was six months younger placing his birth in... April, May, June, July, August, oh!.. the middle of September (around... and quite probably ON the Feast of Trumpets (modern day Rosh Hashana) when Jerusalem would have swelled from approximately 100,000 people to over 1 or 2,000,000 people) (No wonder why the Roman IRS sent out a decree to tax the people... they knew when everyone got paid and would have their beginning harvest money. Governments always seem to know when we get paid!)

Why with that many people stuffed into Jerusalem and surrounding areas to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets, no wonder there was no room in the Inn. Makes good sense, right?! And isn't it also interesting that that  time of year and the extra-ordinary event recorded in the ancient book of Matthew involves Magi (Star Watchers) who announce: We saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him. All this just happens to correspond with the Constellation Virgo (the Virgin... and according to the meanings of the astronomical names of the stars that make up that Constellation, the Virgin holds the brightest star "Spica" meaning the Seed... in her hand and is about to give birth) -- which might be the best explanation for not only the Star of Bethlehem question, but also why and how... the heavens are supposed to declare the Glory of God. After all, it was written on the first page of Genesis -- the Book of Beginnings, that first and foremost the stars were for a sign. Well, last time I checked my Webster's dictionary, it said signs are for giving direction. They saw His Star in the East... a Star was His Sign.

(By the way... it is estimated by some historians that when an Eastern King travelled in those days, his royalty would often be accompanied by an entourage of servants and other assistants, pack animals and carts carrying food stuffs, supplies, clothing and wealth... not to mention a few gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, too. Easily, there could have been 700 - 1000 people in the travelling company. Now, times that by 3 Kings... and it makes the scenery pretty crowded!! Such a visit would most definitely catch the attention of the local political-yocals, don't you think?!)

But back to the Story -- In Virgo, the primary constellation points to the Woman, but the three minor constellations associated with Virgo point to the star clusters: "Coma" meaning the desired, longed for One; "Centaurus", the two natured pierced One; and, "Bootes", the guardian and keeper of the sheepfold. Makes you sorta wonder if the heavens do declare the Glory of God?! Just possibly, they do! But that's a whole other interesting subject - His Star - the Bethlehem Star.

Some details related to this event are hard to wholesale dismiss. Here is additional information about the birthright of the King.

BUT... for the finest presentation on this (and many other incredibly interesting subjects), please visit the homepage of Dr. Gene Scott. His teaching is, by far... the BEST ! You can listen to Dr. Scott's teaching 24 hours each day... anywhere in the world using Windows Media Player or Real Player. Just click on: Dr. Gene Scott™ on the University Network.

Perhaps... more later! Reggie Keith