The Appointed Season of the First Advent
While the world pauses during this season to acknowledge the birth of the Saviour, the student of the Word must discern between the traditions of men and the precision of God. We must begin by charitably noting that most believers and historians alike agree that the birth of our Lord did not occur on December 25th. The Scriptures record that “there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8, KJV). In the climate of Judea, such a scene points not to the winter frost, but likely to the late harvest or the season of the autumnal feasts.
However, since this is the time of year when the hearts and minds of so many are turned toward the miracle of His arrival, it is the most opportune moment to speak of it. If the world is willing to listen, let us tell them the truth of how the King of Glory entered time and space—not by chance, but by the sovereign appointment of the Father.
The Evidence of the Courses
To understand the season of His birth, we look to the “course of Abia.” The Gospel of Luke records that Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was of the priestly course of Abia (Luke 1:5). By calculating the time Zacharias served in the Temple and the subsequent conception of John, we find that John was likely born in the Spring.
Scripture tells us that Mary conceived Jesus in the sixth month of Elisabeth’s pregnancy (Luke 1:26). This timeline places the birth of our Lord in the Autumn, coinciding with the Feast of Tabernacles. This is theologically significant, for the Evangelist John writes:
“And the Word was made 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.” (John 1:14, KJV).
The word “dwelt” literally means “tabernacled.” He came to tabernacle with men during the very season God ordained for His people to dwell in booths, reminding us that God is ever-present with His people.
The Precision of Prophecy
The birth of Jesus Christ was not an isolated event of history, but the culmination of a divine promise whispered since the fall of man. God did not leave the world to guess who the Messiah would be; He provided a prophetic “fingerprint” that only one Person in history could match.
I. The Place of His Appearance Centuries before the decree of Caesar Augustus, the Spirit of God moved the prophet Micah to name the very village where the King would be born:
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2, KJV).
This prophecy establishes two vital truths: the humanity of Christ (born in a specific town) and His eternal deity (“from everlasting”). The Roman taxation was merely a tool in the hand of the Almighty to move Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, ensuring the Word of God was fulfilled to the letter.
II. The Manner of His Appearance The defense of the faith rests upon the doctrine of the Virgin Birth. It was not a biological anomaly, but a theological necessity. Isaiah declared:
“Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” (Isaiah 7:14, KJV).
To save a fallen race, the Redeemer had to be of the seed of the woman, yet without the inherited sin of the first Adam. By this miracle, He became “Immanuel,” which being interpreted is, “God with us.”
III. The King’s Lineage Not only was the place of His birth prophesied, but His ancestry was strictly governed by the Word. To be the Messiah, He had to be of the root of Jesse and the house of David.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:” (Isaiah 11:1, KJV).
Through the genealogy in Matthew, we see His legal right to the throne through Joseph; through Luke, we see His blood right through Mary. Every political and genealogical requirement was met. Despite the “no room in the inn,” the King arrived exactly where and how the prophets had written.
The Sign to the Gentiles
We must also acknowledge the “Star of Jacob.” The arrival of the wise men from the East was a fulfillment of the promise that the Gentiles would seek His light.
“The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60:3, KJV).
These men did not follow a wandering light of nature, but a divine sign that led them to the “King of the Jews.” Their presence proves that the First Advent was not a secret event for a few, but a global declaration that the Redeemer had arrived.
As we witness the world celebrating a season, let us celebrate the Truth. The same God who was precise in the location, the timing, and the manner of the First Advent is just as precise regarding the events of the Second. He came once in humility to pay a debt; He is coming again in glory to claim His kingdom.