“Britt Mooney is a good writer and author; he tells great stories. He is passionate about teaching ministries and non-profits with the power of storytelling to inspire and spread the truth”
Greetings Roger, and thanks for the links. A Merry Christmas to you and yours in spite of being in dark Sweden (in more ways than one!.) You can't beat the 300 days of sun here in the Cape :-)
Dear people - readers and writers, this is entirely over complicated. We are told about John "The Baptist's" father, a Priest Named Zachariah. He was "conducting The Course of Abijah". This took place 2 times a year. If you can do simple addition and subtraction the date becomes pretty clear.
The Angel Gabriel visited Zachariah inside behind the Holy Vail (that would be torn from TOP to bottom later) and Gabriel told dear good Zachariah his wife Elisabeth would conceive and they would have son and the boy's name shall be called John (Yohan).
Six months later Mary (Mariam) was visited by Gabriel. He told her (favored above all women) she would conceive "The Promised One". Being overwhelmed with this, she runs to her cousin home (mother's side) and upon entering their home John, in the womb "now six months MOVED" sensing the presence of EMANUEL = GOD WITH US.
After doing the math and political / historical calendar changes, we end up with THE HOLY CONCEPTION AT our current December 25th date or very close. Yes! Conception! HIS Nativity would have been in September. By all means even though HE didn't tell us to Celebrate December 25th, it is a wonderful show of affection for that is when HE, THE WORD, THE CREATOR became flesh and blood . . . . ; there is more to this story, its meaning, and it is deep. Celebrating with knowledge only adds to your overall wellness, mind, body, and especially soul.
Greater beneficial knowledge awaits for those that care enough to KNOW more.
FYI since I'm here, a "ChristMas Tree" is Evergreen and one of many symbolic trees like Cedars, Olive, Fig, Oaks etc mentioned in scripture. Having one and decorating it is perfectly fine. That all said, why are we so ready to observe ChristMas Day as HIS Nativity without being told to but most don't celebrate Passover although we were COMMANDED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN to do so? Why friend? Why do "Christ flavored religions" choose to celebrate easter instead? Maybe the simple answer is STOP PLAYING CHURCH? Did HE authorize or endorse any religion at all?
Do they follow THE WORD LINE BY LINE? HE Warned us all about churches and "their" doctrines!
Thank you Darius for a convincing argument. There will always be multiple approaches to a problem like this where any conclusion relies on logical speculation. Sometimes the lessons of Occam become lost in the fog of science! :-)
While I agree in principle, digging into God's word and history is always valuable, IMO. Some will dig further than others. I came to similar conclusions to Britt Mooney.
For some, the first 5 verses of John are sufficient:
Thank you Greg - so simple and so true! My insatiable curiosity gets the best of me on occasion but I am convinced that there's is much more to this story. I am now researching for my Easter edition that might throw some light on the date of Jesus' sacrifice and perhaps offer a little credibility to those who's faith is failing.
If the quote from Romans 12:2 is read in context it appears as an instruction to meditate and still the mind to know God and not be distracted by the world. Paganism is a term the church hierarchy use for those not under their control.
The idea that sheep could not survive winters in the Holy Land seems far fetched. For a start winters there are short and comparatively mild and the animals 2,000 years ago were much hardier and closer to their wild ancestors than the man bred creations of today. Also it would be far more likely shepherds would be more watchful in winter months because of wolves of which there would have been much bigger numbers back then.
Thank you Iain - others have noted the likelihood of shepherds out in the fields during winter. I am reminded of the resilience of our ancestors when weathering adverse conditions with little or no technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ31TsutqqM
Tis the season to be jolly. I hope you are having a bright Christmas in your new location. All is well here with last minute preparations for family and friends. May your days be merry and bright. Merry Christmas my friend.
Many thanks Bert and yes we are having a good old time now in our new home, at last. A very merry Christmas to you and yours. I am grateful for virtual friends like you Bert - they are few and far between; most are silent.
Thank you most sincerely Zara, you are one of my stalwart supporters and I appreciate your lovely comments which enhance my wellbeing and faith. A very merry Christmas to you and yours - have a peaceful and comfortable holiday.
Merry Christmas Peter, Greetings from Sweden, God Bless.
Unto Us is born a Son.
https://youtu.be/NJ5yVD8FA4Q
The Digital Servile State: Aadhaar and the New Feudalism
In the style of Chesterton and Belloc. Men without chests: a dystopian future. C S Lewis
https://grubstreetinexile.substack.com/p/the-digital-servile-state-aadhaar
Greetings Roger, and thanks for the links. A Merry Christmas to you and yours in spite of being in dark Sweden (in more ways than one!.) You can't beat the 300 days of sun here in the Cape :-)
Blessings
AP
Dear people - readers and writers, this is entirely over complicated. We are told about John "The Baptist's" father, a Priest Named Zachariah. He was "conducting The Course of Abijah". This took place 2 times a year. If you can do simple addition and subtraction the date becomes pretty clear.
The Angel Gabriel visited Zachariah inside behind the Holy Vail (that would be torn from TOP to bottom later) and Gabriel told dear good Zachariah his wife Elisabeth would conceive and they would have son and the boy's name shall be called John (Yohan).
Six months later Mary (Mariam) was visited by Gabriel. He told her (favored above all women) she would conceive "The Promised One". Being overwhelmed with this, she runs to her cousin home (mother's side) and upon entering their home John, in the womb "now six months MOVED" sensing the presence of EMANUEL = GOD WITH US.
After doing the math and political / historical calendar changes, we end up with THE HOLY CONCEPTION AT our current December 25th date or very close. Yes! Conception! HIS Nativity would have been in September. By all means even though HE didn't tell us to Celebrate December 25th, it is a wonderful show of affection for that is when HE, THE WORD, THE CREATOR became flesh and blood . . . . ; there is more to this story, its meaning, and it is deep. Celebrating with knowledge only adds to your overall wellness, mind, body, and especially soul.
Greater beneficial knowledge awaits for those that care enough to KNOW more.
FYI since I'm here, a "ChristMas Tree" is Evergreen and one of many symbolic trees like Cedars, Olive, Fig, Oaks etc mentioned in scripture. Having one and decorating it is perfectly fine. That all said, why are we so ready to observe ChristMas Day as HIS Nativity without being told to but most don't celebrate Passover although we were COMMANDED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN to do so? Why friend? Why do "Christ flavored religions" choose to celebrate easter instead? Maybe the simple answer is STOP PLAYING CHURCH? Did HE authorize or endorse any religion at all?
Do they follow THE WORD LINE BY LINE? HE Warned us all about churches and "their" doctrines!
Follow HIS WORD only and truly live!
Thank you Darius for a convincing argument. There will always be multiple approaches to a problem like this where any conclusion relies on logical speculation. Sometimes the lessons of Occam become lost in the fog of science! :-)
Yes sir, KISS is best!
Have a happy Christmas dear friend and stay the course for 2025! :-)
While I agree in principle, digging into God's word and history is always valuable, IMO. Some will dig further than others. I came to similar conclusions to Britt Mooney.
For some, the first 5 verses of John are sufficient:
Jesus is eternal
Jesus is God
Jesus created all things
Jesus is life
..and that's great.
Thank you Greg - so simple and so true! My insatiable curiosity gets the best of me on occasion but I am convinced that there's is much more to this story. I am now researching for my Easter edition that might throw some light on the date of Jesus' sacrifice and perhaps offer a little credibility to those who's faith is failing.
Blessings and Happy New Year
AP
If the quote from Romans 12:2 is read in context it appears as an instruction to meditate and still the mind to know God and not be distracted by the world. Paganism is a term the church hierarchy use for those not under their control.
The idea that sheep could not survive winters in the Holy Land seems far fetched. For a start winters there are short and comparatively mild and the animals 2,000 years ago were much hardier and closer to their wild ancestors than the man bred creations of today. Also it would be far more likely shepherds would be more watchful in winter months because of wolves of which there would have been much bigger numbers back then.
Thank you Iain - others have noted the likelihood of shepherds out in the fields during winter. I am reminded of the resilience of our ancestors when weathering adverse conditions with little or no technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJ31TsutqqM
And, I hadn't checked this but it seems winter temeratures in Israel are not that cold: https://www.climatestotravel.com/temperatures/israel
Tis the season to be jolly. I hope you are having a bright Christmas in your new location. All is well here with last minute preparations for family and friends. May your days be merry and bright. Merry Christmas my friend.
Many thanks Bert and yes we are having a good old time now in our new home, at last. A very merry Christmas to you and yours. I am grateful for virtual friends like you Bert - they are few and far between; most are silent.
Blessings
AP
As I hope you know, those feelings are mutual. So glad to hear you are settled in.
Bert
Please allow me to thank you for all the invaluable information you generously share.
May I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
I bring you tidings of Comfort and Joy - https://youtu.be/CDcSyaW-tTI?si=g3zXrHVB7D9-6qHw
Thank you most sincerely Zara, you are one of my stalwart supporters and I appreciate your lovely comments which enhance my wellbeing and faith. A very merry Christmas to you and yours - have a peaceful and comfortable holiday.
Blessings
AP
Thank you!
:-)