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The Story of Yeshua’s Birth: A Divine Plan Unfolded
The birth of Yeshua is a story woven into the fabric of YHWH’s appointed times, revealing His perfect plan of redemption. Many assume His birth took place in winter, but a careful examination of Scripture and historical context points to a different reality—His arrival during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.
This story does not begin in Bethlehem but rather in the Temple, with an aging priest and an angelic message. It is a story of preparation, prophecy, and promise, culminating in the birth of the Light of the World in a humble shelter.
A Divine Beginning: The Birth of Yochanan the Immerser
Before Yeshua’s arrival, YHWH sent a forerunner—Yochanan (John) the Immerser. His birth was not just a miracle; it was a prophetic sign, fulfilling Isaiah’s words that one would come to prepare the way of the Messiah.
Yochanan’s parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were righteous and faithful, yet they endured years of childlessness. When Zacharias, a priest, entered the Holy Place to burn incense during the course of Abia (Abiyah) in Sivan (May/June), he encountered the angel Gabriel.
"Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yochanan. He will be great before YHWH… and he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 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 YHWH."
—Luke 1:13-17
Zacharias, struggling with doubt, was struck mute until the prophecy was fulfilled. When his service ended, he returned home, and Elizabeth conceived. Yochanan’s birth, approximately nine months later, aligned with Passover (Pesach).
Why is this important?
Passover was a time of expectation, where the Hebrew people awaited the coming of Elijah, who would announce the arrival of the Messiah. Yochanan, born during this time, came in the spirit of Elijah (Luke 1:17), preparing the way for the true Passover Lamb.
The Timing of Yeshua’s Birth: A Closer Look at the Calendar
Six months after Elizabeth conceived, the angel Gabriel appeared again—this time to Miriam (Mary), Elizabeth’s relative. This visit took place during the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, aligning with the month of Kislev (December), during Chanukah, the Feast of Dedication.
Chanukah commemorates the rededication of the Temple after it had been defiled by the Greeks under Antiochus IV. It was a time of restoration, victory, and renewal—when YHWH’s people took back what was rightfully His.
The symbolism is unmistakable. During this time, YHWH placed His presence within Miriam, as she became the vessel for the true Temple of YHWH—Messiah, the One who would restore and redeem His people.
Nine months later, in the fall of 2 BCE, Yeshua was born—during Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).
For those studying the astronomical signs of Yeshua’s birth, using Stellarium or similar software, the correct alignment of the stars appears in 3 BCE, because these programs mistakenly include a year 0 (which does not exist in actual historical dating).
Yeshua’s Birth During Sukkot: “God With Us”
"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us)."
—Isaiah 7:14
Sukkot is a time when YHWH commanded His people to dwell in temporary shelters (sukkahs) as a reminder of their time in the wilderness, when His presence dwelled among them.
Yeshua’s birth in a sukkah aligns with the ultimate fulfillment of this feast: "The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us." (John 1:14).
This was no accident—it was divine design.
Bethlehem (Beit Lechem, “House of Bread”) was filled with pilgrims coming to observe Sukkot. Miriam and Yosef (Joseph), unable to find room in the crowded village, found shelter in a sukkah, a humble place where Yeshua was born.
Shepherds in the fields—watching over sacrificial lambs for the Temple—were the first to receive the angelic announcement:
"I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day… a Savior, who is Messiah, YHWH."
—Luke 2:10-11
Joy is the theme of Sukkot, a feast celebrated with rejoicing, feasting, and waving palm branches. The angelic declaration reflected the meaning of this appointed time:
YHWH’s presence had come to dwell among His people.
The Shepherds and the Angelic Announcement
Luke 2:8-14 recounts the angelic proclamation to shepherds watching over their flocks by night. This announcement, occurring during Sukkot, reflects the festival’s themes of joy, inclusion, and the presence of YHWH among His people.
"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 Savior, who is Messiah, YHWH."
—Luke 2:10-11
This message was not only for Israel but for all nations, aligning with Sukkot’s prophetic role as the "Festival of Nations." Zechariah 14:16-19 declares that, in the Messianic Kingdom, all nations will come to Jerusalem to celebrate Sukkot—pointing to Yeshua’s role as the Redeemer of the entire world.
The shepherds, likely tending the very lambs designated for Temple sacrifices, were the first to hear the good news. They found Yeshua wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a phátne (manger), a humble feeding trough, possibly made of wood or stone. This detail emphasizes the humility of Yeshua’s incarnation—the King of Kings, born among the lowly.
Many believe that this manger may have been located inside a sukkah, adding even greater significance. Sukkot is the feast of dwelling in temporary shelters, and Yeshua, the promised Messiah, came to tabernacle among us.
The shepherds were the first to witness this fulfillment of prophecy, a moment full of undeniable meaning. Yet today, the significance of this timing has often been overlooked or misunderstood.
Addressing Misconceptions: Why Yeshua Wasn’t Born in December
Many assume Yeshua’s birth took place in December, but several key details challenge this tradition:
Shepherds were in the fields (Luke 2:8). In December, cold rains drive shepherds to shelter, but during Sukkot, they remain in the fields, watching over their flocks.
Caesar’s decree for a census (Luke 2:1-4) would have been strategically issued when the people were already traveling. Sukkot, a pilgrimage feast, provided the perfect occasion for such a decree, ensuring compliance across the land.
Prophetic fulfillment: Yeshua’s birth during Sukkot aligns perfectly with the pattern of YHWH’s moedim, while December 25th is rooted in pagan celebrations of the winter solstice.
The Divine Pattern: From Passover to Sukkot
Understanding YHWH’s appointed times is key to seeing how perfectly Yeshua’s birth aligns with His redemptive plan. From the birth of Yochanan to the birth of Yeshua, every event unfolds according to divine timing.
YHWH’s plan follows divine timing:
Yochanan was born at Passover, the time of deliverance, preparing the way.
Yeshua was conceived at Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, bringing hope into darkness.
Yeshua was born at Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, fulfilling the promise of “God With Us.”
YHWH’s appointed times are not arbitrary—they tell the story of redemption. Yeshua’s birth during Sukkot is not just a detail; it is a fulfillment of prophecy and a foreshadowing of His return.
The Significance of Sukkot in Yeshua’s Birth
More than just a feast, Sukkot is a prophetic declaration of YHWH’s presence dwelling among His people. It commemorates Israel’s journey in the wilderness, where they relied completely on Him for sustenance, guidance, and shelter.
"The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us, and we beheld His glory."
—John 1:14
Yeshua’s birth during Sukkot fulfills this picture perfectly. Just as Israel dwelled in sukkahs under YHWH’s care, Yeshua came to dwell (tabernacle) among His people.
Sukkot is also a festival of light, with large golden menorahs lit in the Temple, illuminating all of Jerusalem. This aligns with Isaiah’s prophecy:
"The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shone."
—Isaiah 9:2
Yeshua’s birth brought light into a dark world, fulfilling the Messianic hope and revealing the fullness of YHWH’s redemption.
Rejoicing in YHWH’s Perfect Plan
The births of Yochanan and Yeshua, intricately woven into YHWH’s redemptive timeline, reveal the perfection of His plan.
Yochanan’s birth during Passover heralded the preparation—the forerunner crying in the wilderness, calling hearts back to YHWH.
Yeshua’s birth during Sukkot fulfilled the promise of "God with us"—the Word made flesh, dwelling among His people.
Together, they invite us to celebrate the Light of the World, who came to bring salvation and hope to all nations. YHWH’s appointed times are not just historical markers; they are prophetic blueprints revealing His faithfulness, His provision, and His eternal plan of redemption.
Let us rejoice in the truth of His Word, the certainty of His promises, and the expectation of the King who will one day return to tabernacle among us forever.
Final Reflection: Are We Ready for His Return?
The same way YHWH’s moedim revealed Yeshua’s first coming, they also point to His second coming.
Zechariah 14:16-19 declares that when Yeshua reigns as King, all nations will be required to observe Sukkot. Why? Because Sukkot is a feast of dwelling in His presence—and one day, He will reign among us.
So as we reflect on His birth, we must ask:
Are we living with the expectancy of His return?
Are we celebrating YHWH’s moedim, or clinging to traditions rooted in falsehood?
Are we preparing our hearts to welcome the King who will once again tabernacle among His people?
The story of Yeshua’s birth is not just about the past—it is about the future.
Let us live today in expectation of that moment, so that when He comes again, we will be found faithful—ready to dwell in His presence forever.
Still Not Convinced? Look to the Heavens
But if all of that is not enough to convince you, then head over to the post Stars and Signs in the Heavens to see what was happening above before, during, and after His birth.
For the heavens declare the glory of YHWH, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)
The appointed times, the prophetic signs, and even the stars themselves bear witness to the arrival of the Messiah. His birth was not random—it was divinely orchestrated, from the pages of Scripture to the signs in the heavens.
Prayer: The Cry of Expectation
Abba YHWH,
How perfect is Your timing, how flawless is Your plan! You sent Yeshua at the appointed time, to be born among us, to tabernacle with us, to bring redemption to all who call upon Your Name.
Let us not be deceived by the traditions of men. Let us return to Your appointed times, to the moedim that You established from the beginning. Open our eyes to see the beauty of Your feasts, the depth of Your wisdom, and the power of Your redemptive plan.
As we remember Yeshua’s birth, let it stir our hearts for what is yet to come. May we be found watching, waiting, and preparing for His return.
For the King will come again—and this time, He will reign forever.
In the name of Yeshua, our Messiah, Amen.