Before returning to our regularly scheduled program of truth sifting on the eve of Christmas Day, we thought that we would drop a reminder that December 25 is not the day of the birth of Jesus, but the day when the Magi visited him as a toddler the year following his birth.
Our alert readers may recall our article on the birth of Jesus which pointed out that his birthday was in September, 3 BC. We published his birth date as September 11, but have since discovered that it is actually September 7, 3 BC.
The annals of history became corrupt at the hands of the Church fathers who, laboring under the decline of the Roman Empire and the ever darkening Dark Ages, determined that Jesus was born on December 25th, perhaps to compete with the pagan festival of Saturnalia.
Through diligent research produced by the late Dr Ernest Martin, and modified by us ever so slightly from the outstanding scholarship of Don Roth, we are certain that Jesus was born on the Feast of Trumpets on September 7.
While the tradition of gift giving comes from the Magi, it is uncertain why Westerners indulge in the froth and excess of it. If people want to celebrate the birth of Jesus, then we would suggest giving unto the least of these as Jesus taught. No where did the Savior teach giving gifts - including gawdawful fruit cakes - in celebration of his birth. It gives Christmas a bad name.
Let your hearts be merry, if but once a year, but know that December 25 is Magi Day.
Copyright 2015 Tony Bonn. All rights reserved.
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