As a Jew, I didn’t want to celebrate Christmas when I became a believer, partly because it wasn’t “Jewish”, and partly because it was too paganized and commercialized. But the Lord began to show me that my reasons were not all correct. In my other words, I was throwing the baby out with the bath water. The truth of God is not pagan, and it happened right here in Israel among Jewish people, as prophesied by the prophets of YHVH long before. Yeshua is still a sign spoken against, and still the cause of the fall and rising of many in Israel. (Also in the Church, if truth be told.)
We are celebrating the birth of the Messiah (who is also called Christ). But we are also celebrating, remembering, and looking forward to the Lord’s return in great power and glory. The Lord’s Supper reminds us of the death of our Savior God — who took on human flesh and blood, of the seed of Abraham, and of all humankind — until He comes.
God always does His great acts in a manner that sets Him apart from all other gods and from human beings. We are all created by YHVH God. Yeshua, the Son of God the Father, is the Creator and the Redeemer.
I have come to strongly accept that the birth of the Lord was during this time of year, and have given what I believe is sufficient Scriptural proof for upholding the long-held tradition.
Here is an article which addresses two objections — sheep out in the winter (don’t forget that Christmas is in early winter), and also the timing of the priestly course of Abia (Aviyah), to which John the Baptiser’s father, Zechariah, belonged.
Another objection used today is that Yeshua/Jesus was born during the Feast of Booths/Tabernacles, because He “tabernacled” with us. It is very interesting how God always shows Himself “ahead of the game”, and having thoughts and ways far above ours! Hanukkah was started by the Maccabees as an 8-day festival in order to be celebrated as a substitute Feast of Tabernacles, the 8-day festival of YHVH which the Jews could not celebrate at the scheduled time because of their war against the Greeks and the Jewish Hellenists. You can find this reference in the non-canonical primary source, the Apochrypha, in 2 Mac 1:9, 10:5-8.
Some, to arrive at a Feast of Tabernacles date, say that the conception by the Holy Spirit within Mary/Miriam occurred at the beginning of Hanukkah. But the light is not seen when hidden within the womb – or when even unknown to the mother before biological proofs — but when He is born and comes into the world.
A further argument given as to why Yeshua/Jesus could not have been born during this historically traditional time is that it is the time or season of celebration of pagan gods (Saturnalia, etc). But the point is missed that the Son of God came to take back what is His from all the usurpers and pretenders to the throne! The God of gods’ coming was/is an act of war on YHVH God’s part to restore the true spiritual worship of the one true God; redeemed humanity to Himself; and the Kingdom of God to the heavens and the Earth, over and to Israel and the nations. He began this with His birth in the flesh. When He pours out His wrath on His enemies prior to His coming again, the Kingdoms of this world will become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah! (Hag 2:20-23; Dan 2:31-45; Mt 1:18 – 2:23; Ps 2; Rev 11:15-18)
Jesus died in 30 AD (which is 40 years before the Temple’s destruction; mentioned in the Babylonian Talmud, Yoma 39b, and also referred to in the Jerusalem Talmud; see here), and was 33 1/2 yrs old (having begun His 3 1/2 yr public ministry when He was about 30 years old, then He was born on the 24th of Chislev, 5 B.C., some months prior to Herod’s death. (Hag 2:10-23) With all due respect to astronomy and God’s use of the sun, moon, and stars for signs and seasons, the Scriptures themselves provide a more sure Word of prophecy. The magi from the East could have seen His star up to a couple of years before they actually arrived in Bethlehem, Israel. (Mt 2:20-21)
Come, let us celebrate our great God and Savior for His great faithfulness and grace to us! He has remembered His covenants with the fathers in the birth of the Son of David, Son of Abraham, Son of Adam, Son of God. He rejoices in our freewill offerings of overflowing love and praise for His wonderful acts on behalf of His people. (God does not command us to celebrate the birth of our Savior, but if we accept that He did so from the Jewish people regarding Purim and Hanukkah, how much more so from all who would commemorate celebrating His most wonderful and awesome act in coming in the flesh in order to redeem us and save us from our sins – and especially without the pagan trappings?!)
YHVH has shaken the heavens and Earth with the birth of the Lord, and He will yet again shake them as He comes again to rule the Earth, establishing a kingdom that will never be shaken or pass away.
He has put a new song in our hearts.