Sunday Thought, December 21, 2014: Christmas and the "Fall" of the Christ?

Since Elizabeth (John's mother) was in her sixth month of pregnancy when Jesus was conceived (Luke:1:24-36), we can determine the approximate time of year Jesus was born if we know when John was born. John's father, Zacharias, was a priest serving in the Jerusalem temple during the course of Abijah (Luke:1:5). Historical calculations indicate this course of service corresponded to June 13-19 in that year ( The Companion Bible , 1974, Appendix 179, p. 200).

It was during this time of temple service that Zacharias learned that he and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child (Luke:1:8-13). After he completed his service and traveled home, Elizabeth conceived (Luke:1:23-24). Assuming John's conception took place near the end of June, adding nine months brings us to the end of March as the most likely time for John's birth. Adding another six months (the difference in ages between John and Jesus (Luke:1:35-36)) brings us to the end of September as the likely time of Jesus' birth.

United Church of God, "When Was Jesus Christ Born?" 

The dates are all over the map, but the best argument I have heard is in favor of the end of September.  Planetary alignments have been suggested for the "star" seen in the heaven in late winter to early spring and, allowing for the camel as mode of transportation and assuming any angelic message to shepherds and magi would allow for the time required to travel by this mode in order to arrive at the birth, this might confirm the other biblical evidence which points to the end of September and the beginning of fall; the Autumnal equinox.

But what do we consider life?  This is a debate consuming our morality today.  We have known for years that nine months is an average for carrying a child to term, but it can be more, or less.  I ask myself, why would a miraculous birth take full time?  Why not six or seven months?  Why not three?  Why not at the moment of conception?

I have always considered the argument of a "definition of life" to be fairly ridiculous.  This is where "intelligent" people lose credibility.  Life is what life is.  If we consider this to be true, Mary may have delivered during the autumnal equinox, but the birth would have occurred at conception during the vernal or Easter equinox.  Now this is where I want to play with your mind a bit.  Wouldn't it be just like God to make sure everything was perfect?  Christ would be conceived during the same equinox as His death; alpha and omega, both the beginning and the end.  But, is this really important, other than to quench man's insatiable curiosity?  Maybe.

For many, faith is enough.  For others, each piece of a puzzle clarifies the whole.  I have always said that science will never disprove God; science will continue to clarify our knowledge of God, what God means to all of us, and possibly what God really is.  Is God a supreme being, or a supreme power, both, or neither?  I think, sooner or later, science may provide a closer answer of proof more than one of disproof.  It may disprove what we assume now, but it just may prove what we don't yet know.

The information surrounding the birth of Christ, and other events in spiritual and religious scripture, are pieces to this greater puzzle that is the basis for much faith in our world.

Yeah, not what you thought this post was all about, huh?  Psych!



Note from Pastor Tony, the founder of the Congregation for Religious Tolerance, as well as the author and editor of "The Path," the Congregation's official blogsite:  

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion.  It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other.  An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so.

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion and debate in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth.  After over twenty years as a military intelligence analyst, planner, and briefer, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human.  God's test for us is what we do afterward, and what we learn from the experience.
  

Frank Anthony Villari, Pastor