The Feast of Tabernacles is called “the season of our joy.” I believe Jesus was born during the time of Sukkot. He was obviously not born in December, for Luke 2:8 records that at the time of Jesus’ birth there were “shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.” From biblical times to the present, shepherds in Israel leave the cold of the open fields and pen their sheep at night beginning in the month of October. Due to the nighttime cold, there were no shepherds in any fields in December. I believe he was born during the Festival of Sukkot, the season of joy!
The angels gathered on the first Christmas morning and announced, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” They knew the King of kings had come into the world.
Zechariah prophesied that the Messiah would be God’s greatest gift to the earth. “And the LORD shall be King over all the earth,” he wrote. “In that day it shall be—The LORD is one,’ And His name one.” The Messiah’s coming will bring joy to the nations of the world.
Jesus Christ is our joy. As we await His second coming when He will rule over the entire world, we rejoice in the power of the name that is above every name. One of the given names of Jesus, Emmanuel, means “God with us.” He is the wonderful Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. Our Savior and Deliverer is also our Friend and Comforter. He gives us joy today that the world will know tomorrow. In His presence is fullness of joy.
Isaac Watts wrote the following hymn based on Psalm 98:
Joy to the world! The Lord is come;
Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.
Source: His Glory Revealed
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