by Gary L. Evans
The Conception and Birth of Christ — Part 1
Luk 1:5-6 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Zacharias was a Levitical Priest of the course of Abia. He was married to Elisabeth. They were both in compliance and strictly obedient to God’s Law including the ordinances that governed the priesthood, temple worship, and sacrifices.
Note the word “ordinances” is from the Greek “dik-ah’-yo-mah” which means “an equitable deed; by implication a statute or decision.”
God’s Laws are organized in four categories, Commandments, Laws, Statutes, and Ordinances. All of the Ordinances have been fulfilled by Christ Jesus by His Divine Sacrifice and nailed to the cross with Him, in that they are superseded by a much better way through The Blood of Christ. In other words, we are no longer bound to a temple service, a priesthood based on family descent, and animal sacrifice for sin.
Two important facts are presented in these verses. One was that Elizabeth must have been a pure blood Levite, because she was married to a priest, who was forbidden to marry outside of the Levitical blood line, which was the blood line of Aaron, the first priest. And the other was that Zacharias was of the course of Abia, one of twenty-four courses which were appointed certain times of the year for their temple service.
The time of Zacharias’ service in the temple will give us an actual date, which in this case would have been from June 13 — 19. Remember this date and write it down.
For complete documentation of this date for the course of Abia, see The Companion Bible, by E.W. Bullinger, Appendix 179, III.
Luk 1:7 And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.
They were in their old age and had given up on the hope of having children.
Luk 1:8-11 And it came to pass, that while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, According to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
We know that the angel appeared to Zacharias sometime during the week of June 13-19 because he was performing his duties in the temple according to his course of Abia.
Luk 1:12-13 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
The angel declared that Zacharias and Elisabeth would have a son, and name him John, which is from the Hebrew “yeh-ho-khaw-nawn'” and means “Jehovah-favored.”
This child would be one of the rare cases in which The Lord named a child before his birth. So we know that John had already been chosen since the destruction of The First Earth Age by Election to serve The Most High. Note that John had not yet even been conceived.
Luk 1:14-15 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb.
John would be separated from the things of this world, but fulfill a great service to God.
Although drinking wine and strong drink was lawful, he would avoid it. Note also that John would never marry. And he would be filled with The Holy Spirit or Mind of The Most High even while in his mother’s womb!
John was already ordained as a preacher of God’s Word even before he was born. John was to be fully dedicated to God’s service.
Luk 1:16-17 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
This was John’s Ministry, to cause many of Israel to turn back to The Lord, and in The Spirit and Power of Elijah to turn the hearts of fathers to the children and the rebellious back to the wisdom of the righteous, and to prepare a certain people for The Lord.
Mal 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
John The Baptist was not Elijah, but would come in “The Spirit and power of Elijah.”
The Conception and Birth of Christ — Part 2
The angel of The Lord was telling Zacharias in the temple about what was going to happen to him and his wife Elisabeth.
Luk 1:18 And Zacharias said unto the angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years.
So Zacharias wanted a miraculous sign to be given to prove to him the truth of what the angel was telling him. Apparently, Zacharias was not recalling the prophecy of Daniel which had foretold the approximate date of The Lord’s First Advent. And he was a priest and should have known better than to doubt the angel’s message because of what was written in Scripture that was supposed to happen at about this time in history.
Luk 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings.
So the angel identifies himself to Zacharias to make a point. “Gabriel” is from the Hebrew “gab-ree-ale'” and means “man of God.”
Luk 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season.
You require a sign? Okay, so Gabriel declares that Zacharias would be dumb and unable to speak until the fulfillment of this announcement. Note the word “season,” which regarding childbirth would require nine months.
Luk 1:21-23 And the people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. And it came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his ministration were accomplished, he departed to his own house.
After completing his course, he was ready to begin the journey back home, but this would have been on June 20, a Sabbath, so he couldn’t actually start until June 21.
And he lived about thirty miles from the temple, which was at least a two day’s walk, so he would get home on or about June 23 — 24.
Therefore June 23 — 24 is the approximate date Zacharias’ wife Elisabeth conceived the one called “John the Baptist.”
The Conception and Birth of Christ — Part 3
So Zacharias walks home from the temple in Jerusalem, about 30 miles, and arrives around June 23 — 24.
Luk 1:24-25 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
Elisabeth conceived and remained in seclusion for five months. Often when a woman realizes that she is pregnant, she does not tell anybody for a while, except maybe her husband, until she is sure that her pregnancy is certain and that she will not miscarry. And Elisabeth was up in years well beyond the normal childbearing age, and so used additional caution before announcing her pregnancy publicly.
Five months after conception would set this date at about November 24.
Luk 1:26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
Note that this is the sixth month of Elisabeth’s pregnancy when Gabriel appeared to Mary, which would have been on or about December 25.
Luk 1:27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph of the lineage of David, which was of the tribe of Judah. Their marriage had not yet been consummated, therefore she was still a virgin.
Luk 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
Gabriel now appears to Mary, and tells her that she is “highly favored,” meaning she is among The Elect, and that she will be very happy.
Luk 1:29-30 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
She was nervous about the appearance of this angel and wondered what his sayings might mean. He again emphasizes that she is “favored” by God Most High, meaning that she is very special in God’s Divine Plan.
Luk 1:31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
The name “Jesus” is from the Hebrew “Joshua” and means “Jehovah’s Savior.”
Now Joshua was a rather common name among the Hebrews, but in this case, since He was named by the angel even before His conception, His name would have prophetic meaning.
Luk 1:32-33 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
This Jesus would be called The Son of The Most High God, and He would take the throne of King David and reign for The Eternity, and His Kingdom would continue for The Eternity.
This announcement was given to Mary on December 25, when Elisabeth was six months pregnant with John.
The Conception and Birth of Christ — Part 4
Mary who was still a virgin had just been told by Gabriel that she would bear The Only Begotten Son of God Most High. She showed no doubt or reluctance to what was told her, but she was curious how this could be.
Luk 1:34-35 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
It will be by The Holy Spirit or Mind of God, and her child will be called The Son of God. Now we are all sons or children of God, but what is unique in this birth is that the flesh body of this One will be sired by God Himself.
Luk 1:36-37 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
With God, nothing is impossible. Elisabeth had conceived in her old age, and so Mary would also conceive in a way incomprehensible to men, but according to God’s Divine Plan.
Remember that Peter walked on water after The Lord called to him saying, “come.” So causing Mary to become pregnant, although miraculous, would be by The Power of God.
Luk 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Mary accepted what had been told to her and expressed her willingness to perform whatever The Lord desired of her. Her humility to fulfill God’s Will even though she did not comprehend how it could possibly happen is important.
Note that she did not bow in worship to Gabriel, which would have been a transgression of The Law, since we are not to worship any of the elohim (lower case), but only The Most High. But she was open minded to accept whatever God expected of her part in His Divine Plan. We should learn to think like Mary, not presumptuous but willing to obey.
Luk 1:39-41 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
Mary immediately went to spend some time with her cousin Elisabeth, and when she spoke to announce herself, John leaped in Elisabeth’s womb. This fulfilled the prophecy of Gabriel that he would be filled with The Holy Spirit while within the womb of his mother. This also signifies that Mary was pregnant and that already “Emanuel,” meaning “God with us,” was in her womb.
Luk 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
Elisabeth by The Holy Spirit in her knew that Mary was pregnant and that her child was The Lord Himself.
Luk 1:43-47 And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
So it was, that on December 25, Mary conceived by The Holy Spirit, and The Most High God began to dwell with man.
Luk 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 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.
Mary gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem. And this would have been on September 29, nine months after December 25.
Luk 2:8-12 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord 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 Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Shepherds did not keep their flocks out in the fields at night during the cool winter months in Bethlehem, which were also the rainy season, and instead put them in barns to keep them warm. Temperatures during December range daily with a low of 47 F and a high of 56 F.
But Mary gave birth in late September, or early October, which was the harvest season, so they would still be grazing their sheep in the fields at night. Temperatures during September range daily with a low of 65 F and a high of 82 F. So this narrative about the shepherds and their flocks out at night agrees with September 29 as The Date of The Lord’s Birth.
I’ll conclude this lesson with this summary by date:
June 23 — 24 — The conception of John the Baptist
December 25 — The Miraculous Begetting of our Lord
March 28 — 29 — The birth of John the Baptist
September 29 — The birth of our Lord (The Nativity)
CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 25 MARKS THE CONCEPTION OF CHRIST WHEN GOD BEGAN TO DWELL WITH MAN.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.