As we celebrate Jesus (Xmas) Day...

Hi all!

Christmas is a time of cheer, good tidings and festivities but more importantly it is a day that we remember that God loved us so, so much He gave Jesus to the world.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Important thing here is also to know that God is not a condemning God, neither should His people be. We are all saved in His name. With that we receive His Truth & Grace.

John 1:17

For the Law came through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

It is in a season where the world says it is better to give than to receive, but in God's economy, it is better to receive first than give. Receive His love, His abundant blessings into our lives, receive His healing, receive His prosperity and of course most importantly before all this, we receive His salvation for the forgiveness of our sins and iniquities.

In the light of this, then, when we give, we will have a revelation of the Father's loving giving heart. We give to be a blessing to others, we give so that our friends, family and even our enemies will see the Light of God's love and the saving grace of Yeshua/Jesus.

Speaking of Light, today is actually the 5th day of Hanukkah, a Jewish festival also called, Festival of Lights or in the New Testament it is mentioned as the Feast of Dedication.

John 10:22

And the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem, and it was winter.

Many Christians have been studying the Jewish Calendar and Feasts and know that Jesus/Yeshua wasn't really born on 25th Dec. Most likely He was conceived during this time of Hanukkah. The Light of the world being conceived during the Festival of Lights. Yeshua was most likely born on the 15th of Tishri, which is the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The original Greek word for dwelt here is σκηνόω "skenoo", which explained by Thayer's Definition as:

1) to fix one’s tabernacle, have one’s tabernacle, abide (or live) in a tabernacle (or tent), tabernacle
2) to dwell

The verse before speaks of Jesus not being born of blood or flesh nor the will of man but of God. I'm sure this verse is a direct reference to Yeshua being born on Tabernacles.

You can read a bit more on the dates and chronology here http://www.messianic.com/articles/dates.htm

There are many other articles on the Birthday of Yeshua but i find this article explains it the clearest. Though the author has some strong comments about the Roman Catholic Church and even the Christian Church (Ekklesia) in general, we can learn from the author's research here. The author is a Messianic Jew, meaning a Jew who has received the revelation of Yeshua as his personal Savior.

There will be many of our friends or other people out there who might challenge the Christian to say that we're celebrating a pagan festival, to celebrate the pagan god of Sol-Invictus, we can safely say NO. Though Yeshua's original B'day is during Tabernacles/approx. Sept, it does not stop the Christian believer in celebrating Jesus/Yeshua anytime of the year! So what if Dec 25th is a pagan festival day? We remember Jesus! You know how your friends and family can always give you a belated birthday wish right? Why can't we do that for our Savior? In fact we can celebrate Him anytime we want! Because we have a GOD that can turn ANY circumstances around for the good!

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

And ALL believers in Christ Jesus are called according to His purpose. Amen!

Be greatly blessed in this season. I pray that you receive YHVH's abundant Grace & Favour for your coming year of 2009! He has already given it ALL! Receive. Amen.

Shalom to one & all,

Emmanuel