Ellen Gonzalez (2 Dec 2005)
"Re: CAPS and Christmas"


    CAPS had this article posted today in which he uses a few verses to support the idea that Jesus was born at Christmas or Hanukkah.

    http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2005/caps121-1.htm
 
    This quote sums up his premise:
 
    "Was not the foundation laid at the birth of Jesus? Jesus IS the foundation of the Church, the Temple."
 
    I don't want to be argumentative, but it seems to me the foundation being laid corresponds to the seed being in the barn. In other words, the foundation is the CONCEPTION, not the birth, which would have placed the conception of Jesus at Hanukkah and his birth at Tabernacles, nine months later. After all, he came to dwell upon the earth, or tabernacle among us, which would be his birth, but the Light of the World had a foundation laid at the Festival of Lights. I think some of the numbers guys have shown relationships between DNA and Jesus, as in Bob Ware's excellent post:
 
   http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2005/bobware121.htm
 
   DNA is called the building block of life and as such is the foundation that cells are built upon. To quote Bob:
 
   There are 23 pairs of chromosomes donated from the man and woman to create the zygote > the first cell of a new life.
 
   I think the connection between the three 8s is no coincidence, and that the numbers support the idea that the foundation is the very beginning of life, which is conception. For those of you familiar with construction, the foundation is the very first thing laid when building an edifice. The groundwork is prepared and then the concrete is poured. The framework of the house is essential for the rest of the building, but without a proper foundation, the house can collapse. Jesus himself used the analogy of building a house in the following verses from Matthew 7:24-27:
 
   "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it."
 
    The entire argument over when life begins, whether at birth or conception, is the basis for differences of opinion over abortion rights. I think all discerning believers will admit that life begins at conception, not birth. The Psalmist testifies to this in Psalms 139:13-14:
 
     "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."
 
    Many verses in God's Word support the belief that He formed us in the womb, before birth, and one of my favorites is Jeremiah 1:5:
 
    "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."
  
    It is interesting that in these days the Lord is revealing some of the hidden mysteries. We are discovering many truths regarding manmade traditions and the true feasts of the Lord, among other things. He gives a puzzle piece to one, and a different puzzle piece to another. When we share our pieces and add them to the puzzle, the entire picture begins to emerge. It is when we are obedient to compare scripture with scripture, line upon line, precept upon precept, that the truth becomes clear. Pray for discernment, beloved Doves, and He will bestow it. Discernment is a gift, as we are reminded throughout God's Word. The example of Solomon is wonderful, as recorded in 1 Kings 3: 9-12:
 
    "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee."
  
    But what a sad ending Solomon came to. Either through willful disobedience or ignorance, he allowed idolatry in the land and his discernment appears to have totally vanished. Solomon, the very king who laid the foundation for the temple of the Lord, the wisest man who ever lived, died knowing that his kingdom would be divided because he turned away from the Lord. Chapter 11 of 1 Kings records this sorrowful account of how a well-intentioned man of God was led astray and reaped the consequences.
 
    "And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,  And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant." 1 Kings 11:6, 9-11.
 
     Precious friends, be careful to not worship other gods in the holy days that you keep. December 25 is the birthday of the sungod. Our God is a jealous God, as He tells us throughout scripture, so it is not surprising that He would not allow His Son to share the same birthday with a false god.
 
    "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." Isaiah 42:8.