Read Luke 2 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
Luke 1:80-2:52 Chiastic Structure:
According to Luk 1:5, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was from the priestly division of Abijah, which was the eighth of the 24 courses established by King David for Temple service throughout the year (1 Chr 24:1-19). This detail helps us approximate the timing of events. Service in the course of Abijah was in late May or early June, and Elisabeth conceived John shortly after the angelic announcement. John would have been born in March or April of the following year. Since Mary visited Elisabeth when Elisabeth was six months along (Luk 1:36), shortly after her own angelic encounter, Jesus was likely conceived in late December, making His birth in the autumn of the following year.
Specifically, I believe He was born during Tabernacles, which is always celebrated in the autumn, not only because of the historical detail which Luke provides for us, but also consider:
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Mat 1:23
“God with us” is the very meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles!
“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” Exo 25:8
The Hebrew for “to dwell” is Strong’s H7931, שכן shakan. The noun from this verb is mishkan, “tabernacle,” literally a dwelling place.
And the Word became 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. Joh 1:14
The Greek for “dwelt” is Strong’s G4637, ἐσκήνωσεν, eskenosen, from the root σκηνή, skenē, which means “tent” or “tabernacle.” Literally, the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. The Teaching Tool of Common Theme helps us tie everything together, realizing that Jesus is the fulfillment of the feasts.
Moreover, I believe He was born on the first day of Tabernacles, and circumcised on the Eighth Great Day if so, the conclusion of the annual Feast cycle throughout the year.
Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruit of the land, you shall keep a feast to YHVH seven days; the first day shall be a Sabbath, and the eighth day shall be a Sabbath. Lev 23:39
This explains why the single verse concerning the circumcision of Jesus on the eighth day, is the central axis for the entire Chiastic Structure narrative of His birth.
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