Interesting Information in a Bathroom Reader...

[Babyruth]

Weird title, I know. My friend's family is a big fan of those Bathroom Readers, so my dad got one, and I was reading it. That's all, no more, because this could go in a wrong direction. Anyways, there is some interesting info in this book. I was reading some information about holidays. The following information is about Christmas:


Merry Mithras
The Bible doesn't say when Jesus was born, but many historians think it was in April. So why is Christmas celebrated on December 25? One possible reason: Mithras. Mithras was a Persian deity known as The Conquering Sun, and his birthday was traditionally celebrated at the winter solstice in late December. Mithraism and Christianity were both becoming popular in the Mediterranean region at about the same time. But early Christians were determined to prevail, so they adopted December 25 as the date of the Nativity. By the third or fourth century A.D., the already popular day was firmly entrenched as Christmas.

All information in the quote is taken from Uncle John's Bathroom Reader copyright 2002.

I thought it was so interesting that this was in there. I mean, we know when Christmas was, at least the general time. But it is nice to know that there is some more people out there thinking the same, and that it would be published in a book that is read by many, many people. Just thought I'd share this info with you all. Let me know your thoughts, ideas, etc.

[PianoMan79]

April? How interesting! I always heard and read that Jesus was born December 25. Just curious, is there any evidence to back up claims of April being the actual birth?

[Babyruth]

There is tons of evidence! I can tell you some, but Joe might be the man to tell you more. Jesus was a type of a Lamb, and when are lambs born? In the spring! Also, the shepherds were on the hills with their sheep when Jesus wasa born. How could they be on the hills with their sheep if there was snow, as in the winter? It had to have been spring, when the lambs are being born. Visit this website for more information: http://www.new-life.net/chrtms10.htm. There are tons more like it. Just google it, and read on!

[God'schild]

our pastor spoke on christmas being in april but the december 25 was adopted by the catholic church something like that i can't really remember

sorry if this is all mixed up and hard to understand.

[joris]

our pastor spoke on christmas being in april but the december 25 was adopted by the catholic church something like that i can't really remember

sorry if this is all mixed up and hard to understand.branham seemed to think? guess? or directly say, it was in spring

anyway, the date of end of december has to do with some heathen feast
but anyway, the fact that God didn't mention in bible, what time of the year Jesus was born, it means something, I think

[redeemed]

i read in some book or another that Dec 25 was the sun gods b day and the catholics wanted to change it from the sun gods to the Son of God, so they did lol

[God'schild]

i read in some book or another that Dec 25 was the sun gods b day and the catholics wanted to change it from the sun gods to the Son of God, so they did lol

You got that right...

Bro: Branham said that Jesus was the Lamb that was born to die for our sins.. and he said that when sheep are going to have lambs, the lambs are born in the spring.. so if Jesus was the Lamb of God he would have to be born in the spring right?

i can't find the exact quote but as soon as i do i will post it.

[redeemed]

amen!! that took me a while to grasp a few years ago but as soon as i thought about it in detail it made perfect sense!!

[marichino_freedom]

The year 336 is when christmas was first celebrated.

And yes, the shepherds would not be out on december 25; although snow is rare in bethlehem (and israel in general) the shepherds take their flocks back home from the months of late october to late march/early april because there is no pasturage. Also, Luke mentions the census that caesar augustus ordered: in those days a census would most often take place in september or october after the harvest. Also there is a matter of the magi; it is speculated that they were from babylon....and the fact that they spotted the star in the sky comes down to this (babylonians excelled at astrology and would have easily noticed a new star, Babylon was known as the "land to the east", the only time of year that jews would have looked to the sky was during the feast of tabernacles (which was actually in the beginning of autumn). The magi may or may not have been jewish, but the fact that they may have been from babylon says that they would have noticed the star rather quickly.

Also, as far as the year that Jesus was born: he was born when Herod was alive, according to Josephus, and Herod died in 4 B.C. When he ordered all boys two and under, that would have meant that Jesus had to have been born in 5 or 6 B.C. (because it was customary that when a child was born in those days, he was "1" years old until his first birthday. then he was "2". so, either of those years fits. And he was about 30 years old when he started his ministry.....if he was born in BC 5, then he would have been 30, if he was born in BC 6, he would have been 31 (there is no year zero and he is recorded to have started his ministry in the year AD 26). He was crucified in AD 30, so those dates fit best.

The article I was reading was leaning more towards an autumn birth, but I could see it either way.

(www.new-life.net/chrtms10.htm)

I'm not disagreeing with anyone, I'm just providing some interesting information.

[joris]

The year 336 is when christmas was first celebrated.

And yes, the shepherds would not be out on december 25; although snow is rare in bethlehem (and israel in general) the shepherds take their flocks back home from the months of late october to late march/early april because there is no pasturage. Also, Luke mentions the census that caesar augustus ordered: in those days a census would most often take place in september or october after the harvest.I think I remember some saying Jesus might have been born in autumn, perhaps based on that census thing
well anyway -- what is there to proof Jesus was indeed born in spring instead of in summer or autumn?

[redeemed]

well, the natural types the Spiritual and naturally lambs are born in the spring rather than summer, autum, or winter.

[HotShot53]

well, the natural types the Spiritual and naturally lambs are born in the spring rather than summer, autum, or winter.

Some lambs are born in the autum as well....

[God'schild]

Some lambs are born in the autum as well....

i remember Brother Branham saying that if a lamb was born in autum then the lamb was born with a blamish(can't remember the exact quote where he said it.)

And Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God So therefore he would've had to be born in spring right?? Jesus had to be perfect without blamish..

[Babyruth]

This is all really good info, thanks everyone. I have to agree with you all, Jesus had to have been born in the spring. There's so much evidence, scientific evidence, they just don't spread it around because Santa is so popular, and the Catholic church is behind everything, it's the Mark of the Beast. It has to be that way.

[joris]

well, the natural types the Spiritual and naturally lambs are born in the spring rather than summer, autum, or winter.
that's just wild interpretation...
Jesus is the Lamb as He sacrified Himself - which the sacrifice of innocent lambs was a type of -- but that doesn't say anything about whether He was born when a natural lamb is born; nor did He eat grass... don't take the type too far

so as I was asking ;) - Branham wrote somewhere Jesus was born sometime in spring, and I think he had reasons to say that

[joris]

And Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God So therefore he would've had to be born in spring right?? Jesus had to be perfect without blamish..
uhm: yes ofcourse Jesus was perfect - but that's in the sence of, without sin; bible tells us... basically nothing about His body or such
the statement that He can fully understand all our troubles (uhm somewhere in book Hebrews); that includes emotional ofcourse, but... I don't know how, if it says all wouldn't that include sickness? but maybe that's because between getsemane and the cross He went through all the effects of sin - yet without sinning there (which is way stronger than not sinning while being protected by Father I guess)

okay just venting my thoughts there... I hope you can make out what I meant to say

[azurity]

PRESUMING_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ 62-0117
E-21 Now, we have just passed two of the major holidays, that we know here in America to be the Christmas time and the New Year's. It's actually not a Christmas. It's a day that we set aside, 'course we realize it isn't the Lord's birthday. He couldn't have been born on December the 25th, because it's--it's so cold up there shepherds could not have been on the hill, and so forth. And if you was ever in Judaea along that time of year, you'd know it wasn't--it wasn't in the wintertime. But it's thought that it was perhaps along in April or May, when lambs are born. And like He come by all nature, just like the regular lambs are born; He was the Lamb of God, and He was born along that time. But I don't suppose that He cares what day we set aside, because the actual day is lost. But it's in commemoration of His birthday.

[God'schild]

PRESUMING_ PHOENIX.AZ WEDNESDAY_ 62-0117
E-21 Now, we have just passed two of the major holidays, that we know here in America to be the Christmas time and the New Year's. It's actually not a Christmas. It's a day that we set aside, 'course we realize it isn't the Lord's birthday. He couldn't have been born on December the 25th, because it's--it's so cold up there shepherds could not have been on the hill, and so forth. And if you was ever in Judaea along that time of year, you'd know it wasn't--it wasn't in the wintertime. But it's thought that it was perhaps along in April or May, when lambs are born. And like He come by all nature, just like the regular lambs are born; He was the Lamb of God, and He was born along that time. But I don't suppose that He cares what day we set aside, because the actual day is lost. But it's in commemoration of His birthday.

Thank you so much for posting that quote..

God bless you so much.

[azurity]

You're welcome!

I always thought Jesus was born in April... that's what Brother Branham said.

[joris]

You're welcome!

I always thought Jesus was born in April... that's what Brother Branham said.well read it closely, it's hardly a "THUS SAID THE LORD" thing there ;)
(though I like that idea too)

but I like the end line best, God didn't care to tell us the "birthday" -- birthday celebrations are... I don't know, just a cultural thing; I assume among Jews this is not so important (as otherwise, the writers might have mentioned it)

[azurity]

well read it closely, it's hardly a "THUS SAID THE LORD" thing there ;)
(though I like that idea too)
Maybe not to you. But I believe it. *grin*

[Babyruth]

Me too. I'm not picking on you Joris, but what Bro. Branham says, goes for me. He was the prophet to this End time, and I'm sticking with his word from God. I'd rather do that and be wrong, than not believe anyone and be right.

[HotShot53]

Me too. I'm not picking on you Joris, but what Bro. Branham says, goes for me. He was the prophet to this End time, and I'm sticking with his word from God. I'd rather do that and be wrong, than not believe anyone and be right.

Lol, I think we've covered this topic enough in the other threads... lets get back to the topic of this thread.

I wonder if any culture noted birthdays back 2,000 years ago? Or when people started to?

[Babyruth]

That is a good question. Since you seem to have so much time, :D, you could research it for us.

[AlanaH]

I agree that it's interesting what you find in the wildest places....
I've always heard that Jesus was born in the springtime as well....

[joris]

Me too. I'm not picking on you Joris, but what Bro. Branham says, goes for me.you did not really catch my meaning just now...

But it's thought that it was perhaps along in April or May, when lambs are born. - there; it's as though branham isn't saying that all that convinced there, if I read that correctly - more like a "they say this... it might be true"

[azurity]

That isn't the only time Brother Branham mentioned it. The quote I think of most often is:

THE.DEITY.OF.JESUS.CHRIST_ JEFF.IN V-20 N-12 SUNDAY_ 49-1225
We are today all over the world is being cel--celebrated of the birth of Jesus, which now is just traditional. Jesus was not born on no December the 5th or nothing like--or December the 25th. We know that's impossible. The hills of Judaea was full of snow at that time, so how could it be that? Jesus commonly by astrology and so forth, and by all of them was born, first, around first of April, so when it was springtime. But this is a day, which is all right, just set aside to worship in memorial of His coming to the world.
Just because "The Deity Of Jesus Christ" is my favourite message.

For me personally, the word of a prophet carries just a little bit more weight than a bathroom reader. (No offence to anyone here.)

But I do get your point. He's not saying that Jesus was definately born in April. He's saying that it is commonly believed that He was.

But really... does it matter when He was born? Praise God that He was born! That He came to the earth for me!!! Isn't that the main thing?

[HotShot53]

But really... does it matter when He was born? Praise God that He was born! That He came to the earth for me!!! Isn't that the main thing?

Amen :)..........

[Babyruth]

Amen from me too!

[BroTrevor]

While I agree that it doesn't really matter when, but that in fact HE was born. I think there are some good types if in fact he was born in April.

I remember something about the shepherds watching for a lamb to be born without blemish right around passover time, to be watched and saved for the sacrafice for the following year.

So if in fact his birth coincides with that, then there is strikingly rich type there.

But, anyhow... that's FWIW (for what it's worth)

[marichino_freedom]

Lol, I think we've covered this topic enough in the other threads... lets get back to the topic of this thread.

I wonder if any culture noted birthdays back 2,000 years ago? Or when people started to?


actually, way back in the day, if you were anyone of importance, they commemmorated/celebrated your death. births werent so important back then.

and i heard death put an interesting way. when my cousin died a couple weeks ago, the pastor said: "most people think about the day of birth on a gravestone, and the day of death; but no one ever thinks about the dash. that's all that matters about the person: what they did with the dash"

[Babyruth]

That's what Bro. Tom mentioned at Miriam's funeral too! My friend Miriam. It's so true.

This quote:

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our
hearts. And we are never, ever the same.
--Anonymous

Is so true!

[AlanaH]

That's what Bro. Tom mentioned at Miriam's funeral too! My friend Miriam. It's so true.

This quote:

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for awhile and leave footprints on our
hearts. And we are never, ever the same.
--Anonymous

Is so true!

Thanks for re-quoting this, Ruth, I needed that.

[Babyruth]

Yeah, it came in my email. It was good. Miriam left size 12 footprints on my heart. Too big for anyone else to fill.

[joris]

:sad: it's just that I can't imagine me leaving footprints

[Babyruth]

But you would. At least here you would. Especially after that nice comment. :)