Dec. 25 has history before Christ

When Zacharias received the announcement concerning the birth of John, Luke 1:10 tells us of a multitude of people outside the temple. Why? The Feast of Trumpets on Oct. 1 was followed 10 days later by the Day of Atonement on Oct. 11. If that were the day, certainly there would have been a multitude of people there for a priest to make atonement for their confessed sins.

Luke 1:24 tells of Elizabeth hiding herself for five months because of her condition (pregnancy). Gabriel spoke of the sixth month, possible speaking of the pregnancy term, rather than it being the month of the year. If true, we are in April somewhere. Nine months from April would mean a December birth for Jesus.

In 164 B.C., Antinochus Epiphanes desecrated the temple. Later, under Judas Maccabaeus, it was reconsecrated and a feast was established, called the Feast of Lights. People left their lights on all day to celebrate this event. What day was this? It was Dec. 25. Is it not possible that God chose this same day to reconsecrate our living temple with the spirit of Christ?

Some argue that shepherds are not in the fields during winter. On Dec. 25, 1989 and 1990, the temperature in Tel Aviv was 61 and 63 degrees respectively. So much for shepherds not being in the fields.

Wayne Pinquoch,

Wasilla