Every year in the month of December a birth celebration is observed throughout the Christian world. This celebration is even expanding to include nations who do not believe in the Savior of Christianity such as Japan, etc. However, the festivities and the manner in which this birth is observed actually obscures the real truth behind the Savior's birth. What is the truth concerning the Savior's birth and what is the truth behind the festivities dedicated to this birth? If you are hungering for the truth then this treatise is prepared for you.

Before getting into the core of the truth concerning the birth of the Savior, I must ask these questions of you, Are you a believer in the Savior, the Messiah? Do you love the truth? Are you a sincere truth seeker? If faced with the truth are you prepared to change?

The Savior Himself, speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well, said, "Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. YAHWEH is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth," Jn. 4:22-24.

Truth is such a rare and precious commodity in this present evil world. People will become more offended at someone if they tell them the truth than if they tell them an outright lie.

In a recent election one of the chief parties attempted to run ads which focused on certain specific and outright lies that had come from the White house. This party was seeking to focus on and remind the people that they had been lied to. It was not a particularly offensive ad, it was simply proffered to remind the people of the lies promulgated.

The other party ran some ads (in limited areas) which sought to get people motivated to vote. One specific ad warned minorities that if they didn’t vote then another church was going to be burned. If they didn’t vote then another cross was going to be burned. If they didn’t vote then another brother or sister was going to die. If they didn’t vote then the Head Start program and free school lunches were in jeopardy.

This ad was laced with falsehoods and innuendoes which "subtly" implied that the other party was part and parcel to the burning of churches, crosses, even the death (through violent murder) of their brothers and sisters.

The result was that the party that sought to focus on reminding the people of the lies that had been told, lost to the party that had been part and parcel to the lies and had run the outrageously false ads.

One person commented, "Why is it that if you tell people lies, even outrageous lies, they will have a greater tendency to believe you than if you tell them the truth?" Why is it that the minds of the majority of the people are more open to lies than to the truth?

Of course, you can say. "Well that is politics and everyone expects politicians to lie." There is even a saying that goes something like this, "All politicians are professional liars." But what about religion? Of course you expect truth from the pulpit don’t you?

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Sovereign YAHshua the Messiah and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of the Messiah is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called Elohim, or that is worshipped; so that he as Elohim sitteth in the temple of Elohim, shewing himself that he is Elohim. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Sovereign shall consume with the spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming: even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause YAHWEH shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thes. 2:1-12.

These are strong words from Paul, but the Apostle John wrote in the same manner in the book of Revelation which states, "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him," 12:9.

Can you believe it? The book of Genesis is the very first book of the Bible. It reveals the serpent entering into the garden of Eden, deceiving Eve and her husband blindly follows her actions in the things forbidden by YAHWEH. The book of Revelation is the last book of the Bible and it reveals that the serpent is still around and is still in the process of deceiving THE WHOLE WORLD!!!

The Scriptures continually cry out concerning the failure of man to believe YAHWEH'S word and to seek and walk in the truth. Moses wrote of Israel’s failure before it even came about. The Psalms spoke about it. The prophets foretold it. Then when the New Testament assembly came along, the disciples and apostles warned of the deception that not only was to come, but was taking place even in their day (See 2 Cor. 11:1-3, Gal. 1:6-7, 2 Thes. 2:3-12, 1 Tim. 4:1-2, 2 Pet. 2:1, 1 Jn. 4:1, 2 Jn. 7-11, 3 Jn. Jude 4-19, etc.). Even YAHshua the Messiah warned of deceivers who would come deceiving the many (Mt. 24:4-5, 11, 23-24).

How quickly does it take to become deceived and corrupt the truth? Look at the deliverance of Israel and how wondrously they rejoiced at the destruction of their enemies in the sea in Exodus 15:1-21, yet a mere three days later when the only water that they could find was bitter, the people began to murmur and complain against their great leader Moses (Ex. 15:22-24).

Look at the history of our own nation, America. The founding fathers not only wrote up a Declaration of Independence, but also formulated a Constitutional law for the inhabitants of the new nation. A little over 200 years later, we have extremely corrupted the original intent of those documents and, if we are given more time, we will corrupt much, much more and much more quickly. If the original founding fathers were resurrected today to be able to see the latter end of their nation, they would be horrified at the corruption from the original intent.

How much more multiplied has been the corruption of the so-called religion of the Savior in 2000 years? Many late 19th century and early 20th century authors of Biblical commentaries, dictionaries and encyclopedias comment that after the first 100 years a curtain was seemingly rung down on the original assembly (church) and then rung up again on an entirely different assembly (church). There was very little comparison between the two.

When the Holy Spirit was given on the day of Pentecost as recorded in the book of Acts chapter 2, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance," v. 4.

Many churches and assemblies seek to carry on this speaking in other tongues by speaking in unknown languages, but the simple fact of the matter is that the apostles spoke in languages that were known by the people who had gathered there from all parts of the world, "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, "Behold, are not all these which speak Galileans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of Elohim," Acts 2:5-11.

The Apostle Paul had to deal with those who were speaking in unknown tongues (See 1 Cor. 12-14). Paul went on to say that tongues are not for those who believe, but for those who do not believe (1 Cor. 14:22). However, he did not forbid the speaking in unknown tongues, but rather charged that if any did speak in a tongue let it be by two or at the most, three and let one interpret (1 Cor. 14:27).

The fact of the matter, though, is that the real unknown language of today’s world is the TRUTH! Most people would not know the truth if it smacked them right between the eyes! Why? Because today’s world is not the world of our Heavenly Father YAHWEH, nor of His beloved Son YAHshua.

Notice what YAHshua told Pilate, "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called YAHshua, and said unto Him, "Art thou the King of the Jews?" YAHshua answered him, "Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?" Pilate answered, "Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered Thee unto me: what hast Thou done?" YAHshua answered, "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence." Pilate therefore said unto Him, "Art thou a King then?" YAHshua answered, "Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice." Pilate saith unto Him, "What is truth?"," Jn. 18:33-38.

Pilate was one of the princes of this world. He had the truth right before his eyes, but was not able to recognize it, even though he knew that there was something special about YAHshua and that YAHshua was innocent of the charges labeled against Him.

Such are those of this present evil world. They know that YAHshua was special, that He was born and did live, that He died and was resurrected, that He was innocent of the charges that were labeled against Him, etc., but they are not able to recognize or detect the truth concerning Him. The truth about Him is as strange and unknown to them, even though they seek to behold Him before their face, just as it was to Pilate in that day.

Why is that? Because they have not a love for the truth. Because Satan is the god of this present evil world and he has blinded them to the true message (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Because Satan is the prince of the power of the air that works in the sons of disobedience (Eph. 2:2-3).

It is made plain and obvious that Satan is the god, king and prince of this present evil world when YAHshua was baptized, received the Holy Spirit and then driven into the wilderness for a fast of 40 days wherein Satan came to Him and tempted Him at every point. The last temptation consisted of, "...the devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, "All these things will I give thee, if Thou wilt fall down and worship me"," Mat. 4:8-9.

If he (Satan) were not the god, king and prince of this present evil world, then how is it that he could offer them all to YAHshua if He would just fall down and worship him? Such is the power of the master of lies and deceit. The kingdoms of this world belong to him. Those who seek power in this present evil world will have to bend to his will or they will be run out of office in shame, their life and reputation completely and totally ruined.

Thus, the language of the world tomorrow, the language of YAHWEH and YAHshua, the language of the true followers of the true Elohim and Messiah will be the TRUTH which is opposite and contrary to this world’s language which is deceit and lies. The TRUTH is the unknown language to this present evil world.

A minister of a group that we fellowshipped with at one time coined the phrase concerning Satan, "Deception is his name and destruction is his game." The problem with man is that, under Satan’s sway, he almost always gets things backwards from the way that they really are. Such is the case with this phrase.

We read in Rev. 9:1-11, "And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of YAHWEH in their foreheads. And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon."

The star that fell from heaven is Satan, known to some by the Latin name Lucifer. The bottomless pit is nothing more than a grave and a type of death. The king over death is Satan. The Hebrew word Abaddon and the Greek word Apollyon both mean the "destroyer." So another name for Satan is "the destroyer."

His game that he plays in order to achieve the goal of destruction is deception. Such is the game that he played with the first woman, Eve. Satan deceived the women into disbelieving and disobeying YAHWEH. How did he do so? He made a statement, "Yea, hath Elohim said, ‘Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’" Gen. 3:1. Notice that he made a statement that is close to the truth without actually being the truth for YAHWEH had said, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat," Gen. 2:16.

The serpent was fairly close to quoting YAHWEH'S words, but he left part of it out; the important part which was a warning. The woman responded to correct the statement by saying, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’" Gen. 3:2-3.

Next enters the great lie for the serpent said, "Ye shall not surely die," Gen. 3:4. This statement is in direct contradiction with YAHWEH'S word, in other words, a lie. Thus Satan became the father of the lie and also a murderer as YAHshua so aptly stated to the Pharisees, "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it," Jn. 8:44.

Thus we see that Satan’s name is the destroyer. His chief tactic is deception. He takes a little of the truth to make his word look official, but then outright contradicts the rest of the truth, or conveniently leaves part of it out, finally holding out a little piece of bait that makes the beholder wonder, question, lust and then reach out for the lie as in the case of Eve for he said, "Ye shall not surely die" (contradiction, lie) and then continued, "For Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as elohim, knowing good and evil (the bait)," Gen. 3:5.

The tactic is to get the person or people to doubting the very words and intent of the Creator YAHWEH; make it look like He is holding something back, something that would make them better than they are at the moment (set the trap); then the victim takes the bait; result - death and destruction. Thus the phrase coined should have been "Destruction is his name and deception is his game." (Request our free article entitled "The Devices Of Satan".)

At the close of every year Churchianity acts out what is described as the birth of the Saviour, never realizing that this practice actually hides the real truth of the events. The scenes are always the same. There is a manger with a little baby, his mother and (step) father looking on in worshipful adoration. There will be animals, angels, shepherds, three wise men and gifts. It seems so right and good because, after all, it comes from, it leaps right out of the pages of the Bible, right? WRONG!!! This scenario is acted out every year with manger scenes and plays that are devised to absolutely deceive people and to actually HIDE the real meanings that were intended to be revealed!

Once again we must remind you that the tactic is to utilize only a small portion of the truth, contradict or omit the rest and then add lies. It looks wonderful, but remember, the deception, the deceit, the lie kills.

There are only two Biblical books that deal with the conception and birth of the Messiah. They are Matthew and Luke. One of the key problems that the Christmas plays, pageants, etc. help to confuse is that they are always lumping the events of these two books together. This is a key error.

It is the book of Luke that actually deals with the time of the birth of the Savior. Miriam had already conceived in her womb in Luke Chapter 1. About the time of her delivery, she and her betrothed husband, Joseph, had to travel to Bethlehem in order to be enrolled for the purpose of being taxed by Caesar.

They had already been living in Nazareth of Galilee for we read, "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Miriam his espoused wife, being great with child," Luke 2:4-5.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn," Luke 2:6-7.

This was a very humble origin, a very lowly beginning for One Who was to become the Savior, King and High Priest of the whole world. Imagine that, born in a stable and placed in a manger no less! But there is deep symbolism here that is totally brushed over by the world in its fervor to merchandise this event. But then, the whole life of the Savior was a life of lowliness, meekness and humbleness of mind from beginning to end.

At the end of His life, upon the final entry into Jerusalem, YAHshua came riding upon the colt of an ass, another symbol of humility and meekness, "And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent YAHshua two disciples, saying unto them, ‘Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, ‘The Master hath need of them; and straightway he will send them’.’ All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, ‘Tell ye the daughter of Sion, ‘Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.’ And the disciples went, and did as YAHshua commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon," Mt. 21:1-7.

The newborn Savior was placed in a manger. Of course the Christmas scenes and the stage pageantry's vividly portray this. But none ever explain the depth of the symbols involved. A manger is a crib or trough from whence animals are fed.

YAHshua was born in Bethlehem which, true enough, was the city of David from whence the Governor, the King of Israel was to be born, but the name "Bethlehem" has a greater meaning. Bethlehem is composed of two Hebrew words "beth" and "lechem" and means "house of bread."

YAHshua told the people of His day, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger....., I am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.....Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever," Jn. 6:35, 48-51, 53-58.

YAHshua called those who belonged to Him His sheep, YAHshua charged Peter three times, "Feed My lambs," Jn. 21:15. "Feed My sheep," verse 16. "Feed My sheep’," verse 17. What do you think His sheep should be fed with? Shouldn't it be the Bread of life from heaven? The Child YAHshua, the true Bread from heaven, was born in Bethlehem, the house of bread, and placed in a crib or manger, the feeding place for animals (including sheep) symbolizing Him as the food, bread for His sheep so that they might eat of Him and live forever.

Why isn’t this concept explained every year when the scenes are displayed and the pageantry is enacted? Is it because Satan has deceived the world into taking only a part of the truth, withholding the rest of the in-depth meaning, twisting and corrupting it into a lie and then feeding the people with destruction?

Another event that is totally glossed over concerning the birth of the Savior is that the only ones to whom the announcement is made locally are shepherds abiding in the field, "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of YAHWEH came upon them, and the glory of YAHWEH shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is the Messiah the Sovereign. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising YAHWEH, and saying, ‘Glory to Elohim in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, ‘Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which YAHWEH hath made known unto us.’ And they came with haste, and found Miriam, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Miriam kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart," Luke 2:8-19.

Why would the announcement be made to shepherds and then they, in succession, would make the announcement to the people? Firstly, we must remember that YAHshua calls those who belong to Him, His sheep. In the second place, the True, Great, Chief Shepherd was being born. YAHshua told the people of His day, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers’...‘I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep’... ‘I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father’," Jn. 10:1-1-5, 11, 14-18.

The book of Hebrews witnesses, "Now the Elohim of peace, that brought again from the dead our Sovereign YAHshua, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through YAHshua the Messiah; to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen," 13:20-21.

YAHshua, the great Shepherd was being born. The shepherds were watching over flocks. This is a type of those whom YAHshua has placed over His people, His sheep, until He can return in all of His kingly glory.

A shepherd’s job is to tend sheep whether they belong to themselves or to someone else. David, the son of Jesse, was a shepherd and set a good example of what a shepherd is supposed to do. When he was stirred to face Goliath, the champion of the Philistines we read, "And David said unto Saul, ‘Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock: And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living Elohim.’ David said moreover, ‘YAHWEH that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, He will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine.’ And Saul said unto David, ‘Go, and YAHWEH be with thee’," 1 Sam. 17:34-37.

David was tending his own father’s sheep. He exhibited courage, loyalty and faith in protecting the flock. Lions and bears are fierce animals to face, yet David put his own life on the line in order to protect these animals. David was very much like YAHshua who was willing to lay down His life for the sheep.

When the shepherds beheld the child concerning Whom the angel spoke, "...they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds," Luke 2:17-18.

These shepherds were forerunners of the apostles and disciples of YAHshua who were to go forth to the whole world and announce the good news concerning YAHshua, the Chief Shepherd. Remember that YAHshua had commanded Peter to feed His sheep.

However, the Chief Shepherd YAHshua was smitten and His sheep were scattered, "Then saith YAHshua unto them, ‘All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.’ But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee’," Mt. 26:31-32.

After His resurrection YAHshua told His disciples, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth," Acts 1:7-8.

Today, as then, YAHWEH'S sheep are scattered. It is the role of those who are appointed as shepherds to go forth with the good news concerning YAHshua calling them out of this world, preparing them for the world to come, "For even hereunto were ye called: because the Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His Own Self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls," 1 Pet. 2:21-25.

Peter wrote to the elders exhorting them, "The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of the Messiah, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of YAHWEH which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being sovereigns over YAHWEH'S heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away," 1 Pet. 5:1-4.

Today’s shepherds should tend to the flock full of the faith, courage, loyalty and truth after the example of David, YAHshua and the apostles. Not for personal gain, but for the joy that shall be revealed in them and in the sheep at the glorious appearing of the Messiah.

YAHshua said, "But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep," Jn. 10:12-13.

The prophet Ezekiel was inspired to prophesy, "And the word of YAHWEH came unto me, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, ‘Thus saith the Sovereign YAHWEH unto the shepherds; ‘Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock. The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them. And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, My flock was scattered upon all the face of the earth, and none did search or seek after them.’ Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of YAHWEH; ‘As I live,’ saith the Sovereign YAHWEH, ‘Surely because My flock became a prey, and My flock became meat to every beast of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did My shepherds search for My flock, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not My flock; Therefore, O ye shepherds, hear the word of YAHWEH; thus saith the Sovereign YAHWEH; ‘Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; for I will deliver My flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them.’ For thus saith the Sovereign YAHWEH; ‘Behold, I, even I, will both search My sheep, and seek them out. As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out My sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed My flock, and I will cause them to lie down,’ saith the Sovereign YAHWEH. ‘I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment’," Eze. 34:1-16.

Thus, the prophet Ezekiel’s words and the words of YAHshua agree in that the hireling shepherds are only in the business in order to line their pockets and to utilize the sheep in order to make themselves fat. They are not careful in what they feed the sheep, but rather will feed them of the poisoned food of the false messiah of the heathen and pagans. Therefore, YAHWEH'S sheep suffer and are fed half truths laced with lies.

The prophet Jeremiah was not only stirred to pronounce an indictment against the false shepherds, but was also inspired to reveal the truth concerning what the false shepherds were feeding YAHWEH'S flock, "Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!’ saith YAHWEH. Therefore thus saith YAHWEH Elohim of Israel against the pastors that feed My people; ‘Ye have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith YAHWEH’," Jer. 23:1-2.

How were they scattering and destroying YAHWEH'S sheep? "Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of YAHWEH, and because of the words of His holiness. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in My house have I found their wickedness, saith YAHWEH. Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith YAHWEH. And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused My people Israel to err. I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none doth return from his wickedness: they are all of them unto Me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah. Therefore thus saith YAHWEH of hosts concerning the prophets; ‘Behold, I will feed them with wormwood, and make them drink the water of gall: for from the prophets of Jerusalem is profaneness gone forth into all the land,"..."I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. ‘Am I a Elohim at hand,’ saith YAHWEH, ‘and not a Elohim afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him?’ saith YAHWEH. ‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ saith YAHWEH. ‘I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in My name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed.’ How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; Which think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten My name for Baal’," Jer. 23:9-15, 21-27.

The prophets of Samaria and Jerusalem were feeding the people with the poisoned food of heathenism and paganism. The people had turned away from the worship of YAHWEH to that of Baal!

Furthermore, Jeremiah says, "Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets,’ saith YAHWEH, that steal My words every one from his neighbour. ‘Behold, I am against the prophets,’ saith YAHWEH, ‘that use their tongues, and say, ‘He saith.’ Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams,’ saith YAHWEH, ‘and do tell them, and cause My people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all,’ saith YAHWEH. And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, ‘What is the burden of YAHWEH?’ thou shalt then say unto them, ‘What burden?’ I will even forsake you,’ saith YAHWEH. And as for the prophet, and the priest, and the people, that shall say, ‘The burden of YAHWEH’, I will even punish that man and his house. Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, ‘What hath YAHWEH answered? and, What hath YAHWEH spoken?’ And the burden of YAHWEH shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living Elohim, of YAHWEH of hosts our Elohim’," Jer. 23:30-36.

Notice it carefully! The false prophets and the priests literally perverted YAHWEH'S words to say something that He did not say or changed His words to mean something different from the original intent! The people, YAHWEH'S sheep, were turned to worship the pagan Baals and not the true Elohim, Creator of heaven and earth. How could this be accomplished? By taking only part of His words, leave off or deny the rest and then add lies that directly contradict! Such has been the case with the birth of the Savior. The true words have been preserved for us, but things have been added, deleted, lumped together and changed in order to mislead people into a false worship of a false messiah.

One can read the rest of the chapter in Luke and will find no reference of a visit by the magi or wise men from the east. Why is that? Because they did not arrive on the scene until the Messiah was in excess of one year of age.

The English translation of Mat. 2:1 gives the idea that the wise men came when YAHshua was born for its reads thusly, "Now when YAHshua was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem." A better translation would be, "And YAHshua having been born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem." "Having been born" gives a more proper and true idea that the event had already occurred in the past.

The wise men never saw the child in a manger. It was the shepherds in the book of Luke who visited on the night of the birth and beheld the child. When the wise men arrived to pay homage to the Messiah they were in a house. Notice it, "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Miriam His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him...," Mat. 2:11, first part.

Some time had transpired from the time that the wise men had seen the star announcing the birth of the Messiah and when they had arrived in Jerusalem. We don’t know exactly how far the wise men had to travel, but we do know that they came outside of Herod’s realm.

If people would only think. Travel was not as fast and efficient as what we are used to today. Those people had no planes to jump on or cars to jump into and either fly or drive to the spot. A trip took some planning. Animals were the mode of transportation. Camels were the primary beasts of burden as well as a primary source of transportation. Supplies to support the expedition had to be gathered and prepared. The trip probably took days, weeks or months.

That months or even a year to a year and a half had transpired before the wise men arrived is made obvious by Herod’s actions after he found that the wise men had deceived him and left secretly.

Herod and all of Jerusalem were troubled by the visit of the wise men (Mt. 2:3). This is an indication that the visiting party was probably much greater in number than three. It was probably a very large contingent that came to visit the Child.

Herod first inquired of the priests and scribes as to where the Messiah should be born (Mt. 2:4). They informed him that it was to be in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:5-6). Bethlehem was the city of David. It was very close in proximity to the city of Jerusalem (less than 5 miles). Surely the report of the shepherds to the people of Bethlehem would have caused a stir that could have been easily traced by Herod and his soldiers had the birth occurred at the time of the wise men’s visit.

Notice that after Herod had inquired of the priests and scribes he called the wise men privately and inquired of them DILIGENTLY what time the star appeared (Mt. 2:7). The word "diligently" would have better been translated as "accurately" according to the Companion Bible.

Herod had requested that the wise men, "Go and search diligently for the young Child; and when ye have found Him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship Him also," Mt. 2:8. After he realized that the wise men had tricked him by leaving another way (Mt. 2:12-13), Herod became incensed, "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men," Mt. 2:16.

Notice it once again. Herod had diligently or accurately inquired of the wise men as to when they had seen the star. When he found out that he had been tricked, he sent forth and slew all of the children from two years old and under, according to the time which he had DILIGENTLY (ACCURATELY) enquired of the wise men! Thus, the Messiah had probably been born around one to one and one half years earlier. If He had been a newborn infant then Herod would only have had to slay all children under one year of age.

The flight to Egypt until the death of Herod is yet another proof that Matthew and Luke are speaking of two different events in time.

When the wise men departed then Joseph was warned in a dream, "Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.’ When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of YAHWEH by the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt have I called My Son’," Mt. 2:13-15.

Luke’s account reveals that Joseph and Miriam remained in the area until they were able to offer the sacrifice of purification as commanded in the law of Moses, "And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, His name was called YAHshua, which was so named of the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to YAHWEH; (As it is written in the law of YAHWEH, ‘Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to YAHWEH;’) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of YAHWEH, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons’..."And when they had performed all things according to the law of YAHWEH, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth," Luke 2:21-24, 39.

When the two accounts in Matthew and Luke are lumped together as the world does it the result is confusion. The events must be somewhat twisted and perverted in order to present these accounts, but when one separates between the two, then the real truth comes out.

Miriam’s offering for her purification also reveals that the wise men had not yet arrived even 40 days after the birth of the Messiah. According to the law of Moses, if a woman bore a male then she would have to wait for 40 days, "And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying, ‘Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Who shall offer it before YAHWEH, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean," Lev. 12:1-8.

Think about it. Miriam offered the offering of someone who couldn’t even afford a lamb. This offering proves at least two things. YAHshua was not born into a rich family since she couldn’t offer a lamb. Neither had the wise men visited for they brought expensive gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Surely the gold could have been utilized to provide a lamb in order to fulfill the law of Moses, but Miriam couldn’t afford to offer one. She had to present two turtledoves or pigeons.

Once again it becomes easy to see that the accounts of Matthew and Luke have been blended together in order to create a false scene. While both accounts are true in their individuality, they have been indiscriminately lumped together creating confusion when one attempts to view them together.

Many people have observed the differences between the two accounts, become confused, disenchanted and offended and have fallen away into disbelief because of it. Others never question it at all, but simply to allow themselves to continue to be deceived and lead away from the true Messiah by the false prophets and shepherds.

The next thing that we must focus on is just exactly when was the Savior born? The real truth of the matter is that NO ONE REALLY KNOWS. The Heavenly Father YAHWEH has conveniently hidden the true date of the Savior's birth so that Satan couldn’t make a spectacle of that specific time.

Here is what Alexander Hislop says about the current time (December 25th) that is celebrated as the Savior's birth, "How comes it that that festival was connected with the 25th of December? There is not a word in the Scriptures about the precise day of His birth, or the time of the year when He was born. What is recorded there, implies that at what time soever His birth took place, it could not have been on the 25th of December. At the time that the angel announced His birth to the shepherds of Bethlehem, they were feeding their flocks by night in the open fields. Now, no doubt, the climate of Palestine is not so severe as the climate of this country; but even there, though the heat of the day be considerable, the cold of the night, from December to February, is very piercing, and it was not the custom for the shepherds of Judea to watch their flocks in the open fields later than about the end of October" (The Two Babylons, p. 91).

Historian author Raymond Capt writes, "Some writers state the blooming of the Thorn Tree around Christmas time is in honor of Chr-st’s birthday. However, one thing is certain, December 25th was not the birthday of [YAHshua]" (The Traditions Of Glastonbury, p. 85).

If December 25th is not the true birthday of the Savior, then whose birthday is it? Hislop writes, "Therefore, the 25th of December, the day that was observed at Rome as the day when the victorious g-d reappeared on earth, was held at the Natalis invicti solis, ‘The birth-day of the unconquered sun’" (The Two Babylons, p. 98).

Hislop further reveals, "In Egypt, the son of Isis, the Egyptian title for the queen of heaven, was born at this very time, ‘about the time of the winter solstice’" (Ibid. p. 93).

The Encyclopedia Britannica, 14th Edition, Vol. 5 has this to say, "Christmas was not among the earliest festivals of the church, and before the 5th century there was no general consensus of opinion as to when it should come in the calendar, whether on Jan. 6, Mar. 25, or Dec. 25th...In Britain, Dec. 25 was a festival long before the conversion to Christianity, for Bede relates that ‘the ancient peoples of the Angli began the year on Dec. 25 when we now celebrate the birthday of the L-rd; and the very night which is now so holy to us, they call in their tongue modranecht (môdra niht), that is, the mother’s night , by reason we suspect of the ceremonies which in that night-long vigil they performed’" (pp. 641-642).

The Encyclopedia Britannica also says, "...certain Latins as early as 354 may have transferred the birthday from Jan. 6 to Dec. 25, which was then a Mithraic feast, the natalis invicti solis or birthday of the unconquered Sun of Philocalus" (Ibid, p. 642).

Alexander Hislop writes, "Long before the fourth century, and long before the Christian era itself, a festival was celebrated among the heathen, at the precise time of the year, in honour of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven; and it may fairly be presumed that, in order to conciliate the heathen, and to swell the number of the nominal adherents of Christianity, the same festival was adopted by the Roman Church, giving it only the name of Christ" (The Two Babylons, p. 93).

Hislop also says, "The very name by which Christmas is popularly known among ourselves—Yule-day—proves at once its Pagan and Babylonian origin [emphasis ours throughout]. ‘Yule’ is the Chaldee name for an ‘infant’ or ‘little child,’ and as the 25th of December was called by our Pagan Anglo-Saxon ancestors, ‘Yule-day’ or the ‘Child’s day,’ and the night that preceded it, ‘Mother-night,’ long before they came in contact with Christianity, that sufficiently proved its real character," (The Two Babylons, p. 93-94).

The Encyclopedia Britannica further reveals, "Mithras, identified with Sol Invictus, thus became the giver of authority and victory to the imperial house" ([The Roman Caesars], 14th Edition, Vol. 15, p. 620). It goes on to say that the sanctification of Sunday and of the 25th of December are associated with Mithras.

"Christmas. It was, according to many authorities, not celebrated in the first centuries of the Christian Church," as the Christian usage in general was to celebrate the death of remarkable persons rather than their birth.

"A feast was established in memory of the birth of the Saviour in the fourth century. In the fifth century the Western Church (Roman Catholic) ordered it to be celebrated forever on the day of the Old Roman Feast of the birth of Sol.

"The Holly, the Mistletoe, the Yule Log and the Wassel Bowl are of pre-Christian times.

"The Christmas Tree has been traced back to the Romans. It went from Germany to Great Britain."—The Encyclopedia Americana, 1942 edition. vol. 6, page 623.

There you have it! December 25th is associated with the birth of the son of the Babylonian Queen of Heaven (Tammuz), the son of the Egyptian Queen of Heaven (Horus), Nimrod (the false Messiah, son of Baal), Mithras, and the unconquered sun (Solis Invicti). It is a day that is associated with paganism, heathenism, Baal worship, and ancient false saviors, false messiahs.

Remember what Jeremiah was inspired to write? The false shepherds will run and hide when the wolf comes. The wolf came and perverted the truth about the Savior's birth into what it is today. The false shepherds will not feed the sheep with the real true bread, the true Messiah, the food which they need for life and salvation. They go along with the wolf in order to fatten their pockets at the expense of the truth and the flock.

Having been born, YAHshua's mother wrapped Him in swaddling clothes. Bullinger says that the Greek word "sparganoo" = to swathe, a medical term = bandage. Doesn't this refer to YAHshua as the One who heals us? Didn't He heal the sick, the lame, blind, deaf, even the lepers, etc.? Don't we use bandages to wrap or bind up our wounds, aiding the healing process?

Do these bandages not agree with Isaiah's report in chapter 53? "Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of YAHWEH revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from Him; He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem Him stricken (beaten), smitten (killed, slain) of Elohim, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised (beat to pieces, broke in pieces: as bread?) for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed. All we like SHEEP have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and YAHWEH hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all," verses 1-6.

Both Isaiah and the swaddling clothes (as bandages) foretell of the wounds and stripes He would receive for our sins at the end of His life. And such was the case!

YAHshua was beaten by His Jewish captors, "And the men that held YAHshua mocked Him, and smote Him. And when they had blindfolded Him they struck Him on the face, and asked Him, saying, ‘Prophesy, who is it that smote Thee?’ And many other things blasphemously spake they against Him. And as soon as it was day the elders of the People and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led Him into their council, saying, ‘Art Thou the Messiah? Tell us.’ And He said unto them, ‘If I tell you, ye will not believe: And if I also ask you, ye will not answer Me nor let Me go," Luke 22:63-68.

YAHshua was delivered to Pilate who, in turn, sent Him to Herod (Luke 23:1-10). Herod and his soldiers had their turn in mocking and beating Him, "And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate," Luke 23:11.

Pilate and his soldiers had their turn with Him, "Then Pilate therefore took YAHshua, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ and they smote Him with their hands," Jn. 19:1-3.

Thus, YAHshua was mocked, beaten, bruised and whipped with a scourge (causing many stripes) as was prophesied by the swaddling clothes.

Bullinger also points out that the Greek word "sparganoo" (wrapped in swaddling clothes) = to swathe, also in the English "swathe" which comes from the Anglo-Saxon word "swathu" = as much grass as is mown at one stroke of the scythe. Thus we have another prophecy to deal with concerning this Child for He is the "first of the firstfruits" or the fulfillment of the "wave sheaf of firstfruits," as recorded in Lev. 23:9-11.

The wave sheaf was the first grain cut from the first field of ripened grain in the land of Israel. It was cut with a scythe or sickle and then offered on the morrow of the regular weekly Sabbath that occurred during the days of Unleavened Bread. It was offered as a wave offering (heaved, lifted up) before YAHWEH as a type or symbol of the resurrected Messiah which then signaled the beginning of the harvest.

In Israel’s day the offering of the wave sheaf began the grain harvest. The grain was also shown to be a type of YAHWEH'S people in many of the parables that YAHshua spoke. While the offering of the sheaf of grain began the grain harvest, the offering of YAHshua before the Heavenly Father to be accepted by Him as the firstfruits from the dead began the spiritual harvest of souls.

Thus, the swaddling clothes served as a dual prophecy concerning the child that had been born.

Another point to consider is that there was no room (place) for them at the inn. Thus Isaiah's report that, "He was despised and rejected of men" had not only come to pass at the end of His ministry, but also at the beginning of His fleshly existence. Both of these instances (Isaiah's and His birth) should serve to remind us of the rejection at the end of His life when He hung on the tree. But doesn't that rejection continue even today in a world deceived by the great dragon?

The Inn or lodging place, in parable form, can represent the world, the lodging place of humanity. YAHshua, Himself, said, "My kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My kingdom not from hence," Jn. 18:36.

YAHshua and His kingdom are rejected by the kingdoms of this world. When He returns, the kingdoms of this world will gather together to fight against Him, Psa. 2:1-3; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21.

When Moses was in the mountain receiving instructions from YAHWEH for 40 days, the children of Israel became disillusioned, made a golden calf and began to worship it (Ex. 32). The people had began to revel in the orgiastic type of revelling found in heathenism and paganism. When Moses returned he found that the people were naked (Ex. 32:25) for they sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play (Ex. 32:6). The Apostle Paul writes, "Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, ‘The People sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play’," 1 Cor. 10:7.

Moses was a type of YAHshua the Messiah (Acts 3:22-26). While YAHshua has been in heaven with the Father, those of His followers have turned to idolatrous observances.

YAHWEH'S commandments forbid the making of any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Yet, look at all of the images and likenesses that are involved with the Christmas displays. These are in direct contradiction to the very commandment of YAHWEH. Remember the devices of the Devil? Satan deceives mankind into going totally opposite to the desires and commands of YAHWEH every time.

The children of Israel were serving the golden calf through eating, drinking, nakedness and revelry. These are all also associated with the Christmas season. The Apostle Paul warns against these things, "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Elohim," Gal. 5:19-21.

If a person’s heart is set upon YAHWEH, YAHshua and the Kingdom of Elohim then they will consider these idolatrous practices, repent of these things and embrace the Spirit of truth.

YAHshua said, "YAHWEH is Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth," Jn. 4:24. While it is true that the Savior was born into this world, to celebrate His day of birth on December 25th is a falsehood for He was not born on that day. He was probably born in the early Spring or in the Fall. I say "probably," because no one knows the exact date. There is no Scriptural command concerning the observance of His day of birth. Had the Father desired such, He would have made it clear and exact in His Holy word, the Scriptures, as He has for other days that He has commanded to be observed. The world will not observe the days that YAHWEH has commanded in the Scriptures. Had the exact date been given and commanded it probably would have been corrupted and perverted to December 25th anyway as has the seventh day Sabbath to Sunday, Passover to Easter, etc., etc.

Christmas observance is a tool of Satan the devil to keep the world enslaved to idolatry, deceit and destruction.

The Levites of old girded on their sword and went through the camp slaying all who were worshipping the Baal calf (Ex. 32:27-29). It is time for the shepherds of truth to gird on their swords (the Scriptures) and to go into this world destroying the worldly idolatrous practices by the power of YAHWEH'S word.

It is a fact that Christmas observance did not come from the pages of the Scriptures, but was introduced into Christianity from heathenism and paganism. YAHWEH warned Israel, "Thus saith YAHWEH, ‘Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good," Jer. 10:2-5.

Many take these Scriptures to refer to the Christmas tree and certainly they can, but they also refer to the practice of the heathen of taking a tree and making an idol out of it overlaying it with silver and gold and then worshipping it. However, whether in the form of a Christmas tree or an idol, the practice is VAIN!

YAHshua warned the people of His day, "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth, and honoureth Me with their lips; but their heart is far from Me. But in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men," Mat. 15:8-9.

Some can say that YAHshua was speaking to the people of His day and most certainly He was. But he is quoting from the book of Isaiah 29:13 which says, "Wherefore YAHWEH said, ‘Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men’."

The people of Isaiah’s day were doing the same thing that the people of YAHshua's day were doing. In the hundreds of years from Isaiah’s day to YAHshua's day nothing had changed. In the almost two thousand years from YAHshua's day to our day today nothing has changed. The people of today are still giving lip service to the Creator, but their heart is far from Him for their worship is wrapped up in the things of idolatry which is vain!

The idolatrous practices may look good and may even seem to make one wise according to Scripture. Why? Because man looks on the exterior. Man likes for things to look good and pleasing. Remember that the first woman looked at the forbidden tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It appeared to be a tree to be desirable and to have the power to make one wise. The tree looked beautiful and desirable, but the reality of the situation is that the tree led to vanity, emptiness, pain, suffering grief and death!

Such is the Christmas celebration with all its accouterments. The Christmas celebrations certainly do that. They look so beautiful and so right, but they have been utilized as a tool of Satan to deceive and destroy!

Rather than the spirit of truth, the spirit of idolatry is revealed in the Christmas celebration. Idolatry is spiritual harlotry. The book of Revelation reveals a great whore which sits upon many waters. She is also sitting on a scarlet colored beast dressed in purple and scarlet having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication.

The word fornication is translated from the Greek word "porneia" which is defined as; harlotry (including adultery and incest in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.

Porneia comes from another word "porneuo" which is defined as; to act the harlot, i.e. (lit.) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (fig.) practise idolatry.

This harlot is identified as MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Rev. 17:5).

It is further stated, "For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, ‘Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and YAHWEH hath remembered her iniquities’," Rev. 18:3-5.

Notice it. The kings of the earth have committed fornication (spiritual harlotry, idolatry) with the harlot. All nations have drunk of her idolatry and the merchants are made rich through the abundance of her delicacies. What an apt description of Christmas and all the other pagan holidays that this great whore (under Satan’s influence) has deceived the world into observing.

The command is to, "Repent ye therefore, and be converted (to the truth), that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of YAHWEH," Acts 3:19.

The celebration of December 25th as the birthday of the Savior is a falsehood. It is admitted by all knowledgeable scholars that it is not the true birthday of the true Messiah.

The lumping together of the events of Matthew chapter 2 with the events of Luke chapter 2 serve to confuse the issue rather than clarify.

The Christmas celebration of today has a tendency to hide or take away the real truths and meanings concerning the birth of the Savior.

May YAHWEH'S Kingdom come!!! HALLELUYAH!!!

By Jerry Healan