- Zechariah’s Service in the Temple: Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest in the division of According to 1 Chronicles 24, the priests in the division of Abijah served in the Temple during the tenth week of the Jewish religious year. This week falls in the month of Sivan, which is usually late May or early June. After Zechariah finished his time serving at the Temple, he returned home, and his wife Elizabeth became pregnant shortly afterward.
- John’s Birth Around Passover: If Elizabeth became pregnant in Sivan (around June), her pregnancy would last nine months, meaning John the Baptist was likely born around Passover, which happens in the month of Nisan (March or April). This is important because many believed John’s role was to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus, John’s birth at Passover.
- Jesus’ Birth During the Feast of Tabernacles: Nine months after Mary conceived, Jesus would have been born in Tishri, which is in September or October, during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot is a festival where people celebrate how God took care of the Israelites in the wilderness by living in temporary shelters, called tabernacles or The Bible emphasizes that Jesus’ birth is connected to this festival because, in John 1:14, it says that “the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us”, meaning God came to live among people through Jesus. This connection highlights the belief that Jesus’ birth represents God physically dwelling with humanity.
Jerusalem was full of Festival pilgrims—there was no room for Joseph and Mary. Rome knew when Jews were commanded to go to the feasts with the second tithe in hand for taxation and census purposes. Sheep were still in the fields—there was no snow yet. Bethlehem raised thousands of lambs for slaughter in the temple.
The Symbolism of the Festivals:
Chanukah (Festival of Lights): This festival celebrates the rededication of the Jewish Temple and is known for the lighting of the menorah, which symbolizes light in the fact that Jesus, called the “Light of the World” (John 8:12), was conceived during Chanukah is significant because it represents how Jesus would bring spiritual light to a world in need.
Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles): This festival remembers how the Israelites relied on God’s protection while they lived in temporary shelters during their journey Jesus being born during this time adds meaning because it symbolizes how God came to live with humans through the birth of Jesus, fulfilling the idea of God’s presence among His people.
Conclusion: This timeline connects key moments in the story of Jesus with major Jewish festivals. Zechariah’s priestly service led to John’s birth around Passover, a time of deliverance, and Jesus’ conception happened during Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Nine months later, Jesus was born during Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, celebrating God’s living among His people. These connections show that Jesus is seen as the “Light of the World” and as God coming to dwell with humanity, bringing hope and salvation.