Read Time:

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​​8 minute read.

 

Prayer

 

"Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Yeshua, and the truth of Your Word. Open our hearts and minds to discern Your will and worship You as You desire. May this devotional draw us closer to Your truth and deepen our relationship with You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen."

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Introduction

 

The birth of Yeshua, the Messiah, is one of the most profound events in human history, yet its celebration has been entangled with traditions and practices far removed from Yahweh’s truth. December 25th, Christmas trees, and gift exchanges are deeply ingrained in our culture but have no biblical basis. Yahweh calls us to worship Him in spirit and truth, free from man-made traditions and practices rooted in idolatry. In this devotional, we will uncover the biblical truth about Yeshua’s birth and how Yahweh desires His people to worship.

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Scripture Exploration

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• “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” — John 4:24

• “You must neither add anything to what I command you nor take away anything from it.” — Deuteronomy 4:2

• “Do not learn the way of the nations.” — Jeremiah 10:2

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Deep Dive: The Truth About Yeshua’s Birth

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1. The Date of Yeshua’s Birth

Nowhere in Scripture does it specify the date of Yeshua’s birth. December 25th was chosen centuries after His life, aligning with Roman pagan festivals such as Saturnalia and Sol Invictus.

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• Shepherds in the Fields:
  “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” — Luke 2:8

  • This detail suggests Yeshua was born during a warmer season, likely in the fall, not winter.

• The Census Timing:
  Luke 2:1-3 mentions a Roman census requiring travel. Such a census would not occur during winter due to difficult travel conditions.

• Prophetic Alignment:
  Yeshua’s birth likely coincided with the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) in the fall. John 1:14 states: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The word dwelt is derived from the Greek skēnoō, meaning "to tabernacle." This feast celebrates Yahweh dwelling with His people, pointing to Yeshua as Emmanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23).

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2. Christmas Trees and Decorations

The use of trees and ornaments in worship practices has pagan origins and is explicitly condemned in Scripture.

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• Jeremiah’s Warning:
  “Do not learn the way of the nations… A tree from the forest is cut down, and worked with an ax by the hands of an artisan; people deck it with silver and gold.” — Jeremiah 10:2-4

  • This passage describes practices strikingly similar to modern Christmas traditions.

• Yahweh’s Command Against Idolatry:
  “You shall not plant any tree as a sacred pole beside the altar that you make for the Lord your God.” — Deuteronomy 16:21
  Yahweh’s worship must remain pure, untainted by practices rooted in idolatry.

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3. The Pagan Origins of Gift-Giving and December 25th

The practice of gift-giving during Christmas originates from Saturnalia, a Roman festival celebrating the god Saturn. December 25th was chosen to honor Sol Invictus, the sun god, during the winter solstice.

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• False Worship and Traditions:
  “You abandon the commandment of God and hold to human tradition.” — Mark 7:8

  • Yeshua rebuked practices that placed human traditions above Yahweh’s commandments.

• Yahweh’s Appointed Times:
  Instead of adopting man-made holidays, Yahweh provided His appointed times (Leviticus 23), including the Feast of Tabernacles, which beautifully aligns with Yeshua’s birth.

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Relatable Scenario: 

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Imagine attending a celebration for someone you deeply love and respect, only to realize that the event’s focus has shifted entirely. The decorations, activities, and conversations seem unrelated to the person being honored. The guest of honor is almost forgotten, overshadowed by traditions and distractions that have nothing to do with them. How would this feel to you, as someone who came to celebrate the person’s importance?

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Now consider how Yeshua might feel when celebrations meant to honor His birth are filled with customs and symbols that have no connection to Him or His purpose. Christmas traditions often obscure the profound meaning of His coming—Yahweh sending His Son to dwell among us as Emmanuel, "God with us." Yahweh calls us to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24), focusing on what He has commanded, rather than man-made customs that dilute His message.

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Modern Connections

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In today’s world, Christmas has become a heavily commercialized holiday, often emphasizing materialism over spiritual reflection. Shopping malls, advertisements, and social pressures to buy gifts can drown out any focus on Yeshua. Instead of pointing to the Messiah’s purpose—Yahweh dwelling among His people—these traditions often lead to stress, debt, and distractions.

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• The Pursuit of Joy in Yahweh’s Truth: Many believers are rediscovering the Hebrew feasts and finding deeper joy and spiritual fulfillment in celebrating Yahweh’s appointed times, such as the Feast of Tabernacles. These celebrations align with Scripture and focus on Yahweh’s redemptive plan rather than cultural traditions.

• Reclaiming Worship: Families and individuals are choosing to honor Yeshua’s birth in ways that reflect biblical truths, such as gathering for a special study of His fulfillment of prophecy, incorporating symbols of Yahweh’s promises (like a menorah), and emphasizing giving to those in need rather than exchanging gifts.

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This shift in perspective allows believers to break free from the cultural noise and focus their worship on Yeshua, aligning their lives with Yahweh’s truth.​

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Key Question for Today: Are your current holiday practices drawing you closer to Yahweh’s truth, or are they centered on traditions that distract from His purpose?

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Core Message

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The birth of Yeshua is a monumental event, but Yahweh never instructed us to celebrate it with Christmas traditions. Instead, His appointed feasts, particularly the Feast of Tabernacles, reveal the deeper significance of His dwelling among us. By worshiping Yahweh in spirit and truth, we align ourselves with His will and honor the Messiah as He intended.

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Life Stories:

 

• A Family’s Awakening: After learning about the origins of Christmas, a family chooses to honor Yeshua’s birth during the Feast of Tabernacles. They experience a renewed sense of joy and purpose in their worship.

• A Personal Conviction: A believer reads Jeremiah 10 and feels convicted to remove their Christmas tree. They replace it with a study of Yahweh’s appointed times, finding deeper spiritual fulfillment.

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Common Experiences

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• Many believers feel torn between cultural traditions and biblical truth.

• Learning about the Hebrew feasts often brings clarity and excitement, deepening one’s understanding of Yahweh’s redemptive plan.

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Everyday Challenges

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• Breaking free from deeply ingrained traditions can be challenging, especially when family and friends are involved.

• Explaining the biblical truth about Yeshua’s birth requires grace and patience, but it opens doors for meaningful conversations about Yahweh’s truth.

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Reflection & Application

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1. Reflect on John 4:24 and ask how you can worship Yahweh in spirit and truth in your daily life.

2. Consider how understanding the biblical timing of Yeshua’s birth and its connection to the Feast of Tabernacles can enrich your faith.

3. Pray for wisdom and courage to align your worship with Yahweh’s will, even when it challenges cultural norms.

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Closing Prayer​

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"Father, thank You for revealing the truth of Your Word. Help us to worship You as You desire, free from man-made traditions and rooted in Your commands. May we honor Yeshua’s birth as the fulfillment of Your redemptive plan and walk in obedience to Your will. In Yeshua’s name, Amen."

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Further Study:

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1. Leviticus 23: Yahweh’s Appointed Times

2. John 1:1-14: The Word Became Flesh

3. Jeremiah 10:1-10: Warnings Against Idolatry

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Concluding Thoughts:

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Understanding the truth about Yeshua’s birth transforms how we worship. By breaking free from Christmas traditions and aligning our faith with Yahweh’s appointed times, we honor Him in spirit and truth, embracing the profound significance of Yeshua’s arrival as Emmanuel, "God with us."