Musing – Merry Christmas, but When? Where? Myths? Whether?

 Hebraic Musing – Merry Christmas, but When? Where? Myths? Whether?

When we did tours of the Holy Land, especially around Jerusalem, the guide would point out many historical sites and also told us which group or church had selected each particular site as where they believed the event(s) took place.  Whether that was the true site or not was hard to determine, but the need to designate ‘a site’ could easily have been for the sake of tourism.  So the question of where came up often.

My studies of the Torah and Old Testament and Hebraic culture leads me to question when the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach took place.  In fact, the prevailing belief is that He was born in Fall, during the feast of Tabernacles/Booths.  Reasons – it was in Fall when shepherds tended their flocks in the fields; and when the pilgrimage feast in Jerusalem would have filled the inns; and when Joseph and Mary would easily have been invited into a sukkah (for the night), etc.  Also, when was He born?  BC/AD 0, or 4-6BC?

The tradition of a Christmas pageant took place at our church and the title of the program was “Chris-myth Busters”.  The program was very well done in the way it exposed some of the myths around the traditional Christmas stories and understandings – three gifts, not necessarily three wise men!  It was in Fall, but now we celebrate in combination with the ‘sun god’ celebration in December!  There was not an innkeeper mentioned in the bible!  And there are many other myths like Santa, trees, chimney’s, reindeer, etc.

So there were questions while touring Israel about where the biblical events took place; and the studies of the OT reveal when other critical feasts were celebrated; and that many traditional Christmas beliefs and teachings are just myths.

However in all that touring and studying and reading, I find there is no question as to whether the events surrounding the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach took place!

Having said all that— I wish you a very Merry Christmas
          and “L’Shanah Tovah”, Happy New Year.

Points to ponder

Which is more important?    When?   Where?   Myths?   or   whether!!!

How can we help others to recognize the significance of Christ’s birth?

Is singing Christmas Carols out loud a way of praying & witnessing publicly?

♫ What child is this, who, laid to rest    On Mary's lap is sleeping?
     Whom angels greet with anthems sweet     While shepherds watch are keeping?
       This, this is Christ the King     Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
           Haste, haste to bring him laud      The babe, the son of Mary...  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     December 20, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

Note - Reprint of December 23, 2011,  Hebraic Insight