Thank you for introducing new ideas. Again, you amaze me!
Karen Wright KallioinenJanuary 1, 2014
I enjoyed your article and your insights. Modern revelation seems to suggest that Jesus was born on April 6 (see D&C 20:1). A spring date fits with Luke's image of shepherds abiding in the fields and would make sense as the time people would be traveling to the city of their birth to be taxed. Does April sound like a familiar tax time?
So, how did Christmas come to be celebrated on Dec. 25th? A search of Roman history answers that. At one time, Christ's birth was on the Roman calendar the same day as spring eqinox , but was later moved to December 25th. -
daleDecember 30, 2013
So many things we don't know and that are missing from the scriptures. Someone needs to write a work that combines social and historical with religious beliefs and customs of Biblical times. Maybe there is one already. Anyway, thank you for writing this article. I agree with WM's comments, Extraordinary and Speechless!
mlDecember 29, 2013
I admire you for the extensive research you did, to write such a powerful article.
About 40 years ago, I visited all the places in THE HOLY LAND that you talked about and as of today,it is as clear as it was then, being on the Shepherd's field on 12/24, that something very SPECIAL occurred
there a long time ago, that changed us for the better....Our Savior was BORN......
As for the painting.. it is beautiful but we must not forget people who paint have their own ideas
.....
April December 28, 2013
I learned to much from this beautiful article. Thank you for writing it!
jackDecember 27, 2013
Absolutely superb article!
WMDecember 26, 2013
That. Is. Extraordinary. Speechless!
SLDecember 25, 2013
This article was amazing and added so much to our Christmas Eve gathering. Thank you so very much. I love everything you write.
Janene ZimmermanDecember 24, 2013
With wondering Awe! We still admire and worship this babe that lay in the manger thousands of years ago. Thanks for the insightful article!
Randall TurnerDecember 24, 2013
So grateful for the research and the food for thought !
DavidDecember 23, 2013
Elder Rasband pointed out in his talk during the Christmas Devotional that Alma said "just and holy men" would be told at the time of Christ's coming. This article kind of reflects that theme too.
CynthiaDecember 23, 2013
To Eric: I'm interested in your source for this information.
Candy GroatDecember 23, 2013
Interesting story, Rynna. Thanks for sharing the story and the lovely painting.
ShareeDecember 23, 2013
I see nothing in this painting to indicate it was spring, except for the semi-undressed state of the shepherds. Even today, many scholars think it was this time of year that Christ was born (the shepherds watch over the temple flocks year-round). Jeffrey Chadwick wrote an article published in BYU Studies in which he suggests December of 5 BC (although it cold have been a year or so earlier than that.. He also wrote a book called The Stone Manger. Good reading and good insight. We are actual not far off in celebrating Christ's birth when we do.
EricDecember 23, 2013
I don't believe that he was swaddled with the same wrap as the sheep, but with the customary red under cloth and the embroidered swaddling band that Mary had made. On this band would have been a genealogy that would have clearly marked him as the rightful heir to the throne of David. That is how Simon and Anna knew who he was. (besides the witness of the spirit.)
strelnikovDecember 23, 2013
Beautifully told story and very plausible. Did not know that this history on the fields surrounding Bethlehem existed.
Rebecca B.December 22, 2013
What a beautiful and special message to be shared during this celebratory season. The symbolism in the scriptures is profound, especially as we learn more about the life and time of the Savior. Merry Christmas!!
Comments | Return to Story
Gayleen RenfroeMarch 20, 2014
Thank you for introducing new ideas. Again, you amaze me!
Karen Wright KallioinenJanuary 1, 2014
I enjoyed your article and your insights. Modern revelation seems to suggest that Jesus was born on April 6 (see D&C 20:1). A spring date fits with Luke's image of shepherds abiding in the fields and would make sense as the time people would be traveling to the city of their birth to be taxed. Does April sound like a familiar tax time? So, how did Christmas come to be celebrated on Dec. 25th? A search of Roman history answers that. At one time, Christ's birth was on the Roman calendar the same day as spring eqinox , but was later moved to December 25th. -
daleDecember 30, 2013
So many things we don't know and that are missing from the scriptures. Someone needs to write a work that combines social and historical with religious beliefs and customs of Biblical times. Maybe there is one already. Anyway, thank you for writing this article. I agree with WM's comments, Extraordinary and Speechless!
mlDecember 29, 2013
I admire you for the extensive research you did, to write such a powerful article. About 40 years ago, I visited all the places in THE HOLY LAND that you talked about and as of today,it is as clear as it was then, being on the Shepherd's field on 12/24, that something very SPECIAL occurred there a long time ago, that changed us for the better....Our Savior was BORN...... As for the painting.. it is beautiful but we must not forget people who paint have their own ideas .....
April December 28, 2013
I learned to much from this beautiful article. Thank you for writing it!
jackDecember 27, 2013
Absolutely superb article!
WMDecember 26, 2013
That. Is. Extraordinary. Speechless!
SLDecember 25, 2013
This article was amazing and added so much to our Christmas Eve gathering. Thank you so very much. I love everything you write.
Janene ZimmermanDecember 24, 2013
With wondering Awe! We still admire and worship this babe that lay in the manger thousands of years ago. Thanks for the insightful article!
Randall TurnerDecember 24, 2013
So grateful for the research and the food for thought !
DavidDecember 23, 2013
Elder Rasband pointed out in his talk during the Christmas Devotional that Alma said "just and holy men" would be told at the time of Christ's coming. This article kind of reflects that theme too.
CynthiaDecember 23, 2013
To Eric: I'm interested in your source for this information.
Candy GroatDecember 23, 2013
Interesting story, Rynna. Thanks for sharing the story and the lovely painting.
ShareeDecember 23, 2013
I see nothing in this painting to indicate it was spring, except for the semi-undressed state of the shepherds. Even today, many scholars think it was this time of year that Christ was born (the shepherds watch over the temple flocks year-round). Jeffrey Chadwick wrote an article published in BYU Studies in which he suggests December of 5 BC (although it cold have been a year or so earlier than that.. He also wrote a book called The Stone Manger. Good reading and good insight. We are actual not far off in celebrating Christ's birth when we do.
EricDecember 23, 2013
I don't believe that he was swaddled with the same wrap as the sheep, but with the customary red under cloth and the embroidered swaddling band that Mary had made. On this band would have been a genealogy that would have clearly marked him as the rightful heir to the throne of David. That is how Simon and Anna knew who he was. (besides the witness of the spirit.)
strelnikovDecember 23, 2013
Beautifully told story and very plausible. Did not know that this history on the fields surrounding Bethlehem existed.
Rebecca B.December 22, 2013
What a beautiful and special message to be shared during this celebratory season. The symbolism in the scriptures is profound, especially as we learn more about the life and time of the Savior. Merry Christmas!!
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