Christmas & the Day of Lambs

     While debate still exists about the actual season of Jesus’ birth, some facts are settled. Jesus’ earthly Jewish parents traveled from their home in Nazareth up to the hill country of Judea to Bethlehem to meet the requirements of Caesar Augustus’ census order. The trip covered around 80 miles and took possibly 4-6 days. The prophet Micah foretold Jesus’ birthplace: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." 
     Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus’ forefather King David. Luke tells us that Joseph, Jesus’ adoptive father, belonged to the house and line of David too, thus the journey to Bethlehem. God is the Master of ancestry and genealogy!
      Bethlehem is significant for other reasons too. Its definition means, “House of Bread.” Our Savior is the Bread of Life. Bethlehem, as the birthplace of King David and Jesus,  scattered throughout the prophets’ writings in the Old Testament.
     Another fact that connects Jesus as the Perfect Lamb of God to His birthplace is rich with meaning. Fast forward to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The day we call Palm Sunday is, in ancient Jewish custom, the Day of Lambs. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey on our "Palm Sunday," it occurred on the same day when shepherds annually herded huge flocks of Passover lambs into Jerusalem, the Day of Lambs! Divine context at its finest! The connection has even  more significance....
     The Sadducees, one of the Jewish religious parties, owned the lambs. Not only that, they required the lambs to be born in Bethlehem! Bethlehem…Jesus birthplace! Only Bethlehem lambs could be sacrificed during Passover in The Temple. The Sadducees’ custom was like a “lamb beauty contest” as they stood outside the Sheep Gate and inspected each one making sure none were blemished. Perfection was the rule. When Jesus rode by on a donkey, the priests saw The Perfect Lamb. The Sadducees' jealously and evil intent grew as they heard the shouts and praises of many thousands of overjoyed Passover celebrants. 
     When shepherds herded Bethlehem lambs into Jerusalem for sacrifices in The Temple for annual Passovers, Jesus born in Bethlehem, sacrificed Himself on the cross for our sins at Passover outside Jerusalem. At the same time, priests were slaughtering the lambs in The Temple capturing their blood in vessels and pouring it on the altar. Each lamb was then spread out and hung on sticks in the shape of a cross and skinned.  The symbolism is unmistakable. Unlike the Day of Lambs that took place each year, Jesus’ sacrifice was a one-time sacrificial act enough for all time.
        How fitting that while “SHEPHERDS watched their flocks by night,” a chorus of Angels gloriously serenaded the birth of The Perfect Lamb. The shepherds walked and found their way to His lowly surroundings and celebrated with the angels and Jesus’ parents. I wonder if some of these shepherds who witnessed His birth still lived to see the day when Jesus entered Jerusalem for His last Passover. 
     Jesus, The Good Shepherd, The Perfect Lamb, among the bleating herds on the Day of Lambs; all birthed in the hills of Bethlehem where the Christmas story began. It ended with The Passover Lamb on the tree gasping His last human breath in agony. 
     Three days later, a world-changing crescendo into His glorious Resurrection reset the world’s timeline. Perfect salvation moments in history, designed by our Perfect Father in Heaven in a perfect plan of Redemption though The Perfect Lamb of God.  Merry Christmas to all!