THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS (cont.) 
by Dave R. Mode, Jr.

Atonement. On the Day of Atonement, comfort and deliverance from the past year's sins came to Israel. There was an 8 day waiting period in which the people prepared themselves for the Day of Atonement. This period of preparation was called "the Days of Awe" or "the Days of Teshuvah (Repentance)". It was during the days of Teshuvah that Yeshua (Jesus) was brought to the Temple to be presented to the LORD. According to scripture, every male child was to be presented to the LORD after the mother's 40 day period of separation following childbirth (see Lev. 12:1-8 & Luke 2:22-24). Counting backwards 40 days from the day of Yeshua (Jesus) being presented to the LORD locates the time frame of his birth. The Days of Teshuvah occurred from the 2nd thru the 9th of the Hebrew month called Tishri. So then, the birth of Messiah took place on one of the eight days from the 21st of Ab (Av) to the 28th of Ab (Av). According to the Gregorian calendar, Yeshua (Jesus) was born in the first part of August. 

The purpose of this writing is not to bring condemnation on those who celebrate Yeshua’s birth on December 25th, but to inform the believer of the pagan influences that determined the date and manner in which Christmas is celebrated. Although it is good both to honor the birth of Yeshua and to show love toward others by giving gifts, the believer should be aware of the origins of what they choose to celebrate. To many unbelievers that celebrate Christmas on December 25th it is only a day of gift giving and merry making without any emphasis on Messiah. In reality, many unbelievers that celebrate Christmas are actuality celebrating with the spirit of the winter solstice Saturnalia festival. 

Based upon the information provided, the date and popular celebration of Christmas are not in agreement with the scriptures. Hopefully this information will help the believer to redirect their attention toward honoring celebrations that Yeshua celebrated which are consistent with the scriptures. 

Be blessed and BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU CELEBRATE. 

REFERENCES 

*Collier's Encyclopedia - "Feasts and Festivals"; *Faiths and Folklore, by Hazlitt 

*Holidays Around the World, by Gaer; 

*The Book of Religious Holidays and Celebrations, by Ickis

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