He Was Born Again
History tells us the pagan world in 1 BC celebrated the winter solstice and which we know is the pivot point for the earth to shift on its axis. Today we understand the winter solstice occurs on the 21, 22, or 23 of December.
However, in 1 BC the solstice occurred on 25 December. The celebration was called "The Rebirth of the Sun" and also "The Festival of Light". Worship of celestial bodies was not uncommon and so calculations had been made centuries before to learn what day was the longest for darkness and the shortest for light. The winter solstice of the 1st century BC was determined to be the moment when the earth's reverse pivot began for the northern hemisphere and light began to increase and that day was 25 Dec in 1 BC.
The winter and summer solstice are, of course, based on science and the physics of the earth's movement. These two events are exact, and the dates have varied only slightly because of our manmade calendars, leap years, etc.. Critics of the Christmas date say Christmas is based on a pagan holiday and some even choose not to celebrate. What the critics fail to see is that Christmas came to destroy the pagan holiday!
Instead of the 25th being a "Rebirth of the Sun", God caused a "Rebirth of the Son" and what a success this has been! Almost, with few exceptions in the world, Christmas Day dominates the world thought, time, and energy every Dec 25. Jesus was indeed born again on this day as He left His throne in heaven, to be born anew of a woman, of earthly parents yet with a heavenly Father. He was born to die so that He might reclaim heaven and live again along with all of those who choose to be "Born Again"! He entered the world as light incrdeased to prove He is the Light of the World! Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." Jesus replied, "Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again."
"How can someone be born when they are old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born!" Jesus answered, "Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." "How can this be?" Nicodemus asked. "You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven--the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him." (Joh 3:1-15 NIV)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. (Joh 1:1-9 NIV)
Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to brgbible@gmail.com