October 7/8 of 7 BC - The Birth of Jesus Christ

All went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child (Luke 2:3-5).

All Jewish men were required to travel to Jerusalem for Tabernacles. At the same time, the Romans conducted the census. Joseph and Mary traveled about eighty miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register. It could take a week to travel that distance and movement was restricted on Sabbaths, Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets), Yom Kipper (Atonement) and the first day of Sukkot (Tabernacles). It made the trip longer but Jews traveled around Samaria.

So it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn (Luke 2:6-7).

Joseph and Mary stayed with family at Bethlehem. Because of the holy days, there was no room in the guest quarters so they slept in a stable. During Tabernacles, the Jews are required to live in booths. From the first day of Hanukkah to the first day of Tabernacles is 287 days. Both feasts are called the Feast of Lights and Feast of Dedication. The Jewish temple was dedicated on Tabernacles and rededicated on Hanukkah, two key days of Jesus Christ's incarnation.

On the full moon of the 15th of Tishri (Tabernacles) which is October 7/8 Julian or 5/6 Gregorian in 7 BC, Jesus Christ was born. NASA lists that night with a full moon and lunar eclipse.

In 1614, German astronomer Johannes Kepler determined a series of three conjunctions of the planets Jupiter, Saturn and a star in Pieces occurred in the year 7 BC. The dates were May 27, October 6 and December 1. Julian and Gregorian calendars are off two days. The October conjunction was the Christmas star but not the Bethlehem star, both signs of the nativity for the world then and today.

Christmas Star: Jupiter and Saturn form a rare close conjunction on the early evening of December 21, 2020. The Bethlehem Star was seen by the wise men over a year later.

October 7/8 of 7 BC - The Feast of Tabernacles

There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:8-10, 11-14).

Luke writes that the angel appears to the shepherds and says, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people". The Feast of Tabernacles is celebrated for seven days and is called "Season of Our Joy" and "Feast of the Nations". John refers to Jesus Christ as "the light of the world" as another reference to the Feast of Lights. Jesus Christ dwelt or tabernacled with us. Matthew quoted Isaiah which said they will call Him Emmanuel, which means God with us. As God the Father dwelt in the Jewish tabernacle and temple and the Holy Spirit dwells in our temple, so Jesus Christ dwelt with humanity.

In him [the Word, Jesus Christ] was life; and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt [or tabernacled] among us (John 1:4, 14).

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:23).

Jesus Christ is the double fulfillment of Tabernacles. During the future one thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth, we will go up to Jerusalem on the Feast of Tabernacles to celebrate both the birthday of Jesus Christ and His coronation as King of Kings. God dwells with humanity.

Every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and keep the feast of tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16).

When eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called Jesus (Luke 2:21, Leviticus 23:36).

After Jesus was born, shepherds came to worship in Bethlehem. Eight days later, He was circumcised on the 22nd of Tishri called Shemini Atzeret or the Eighth Day of the Assembly (Leviticus 23:36).

Forty days after His birth, Jesus was dedicated at the temple. That is when Simeon and Anna saw their promised Messiah.

When the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord (Luke 2:22).

Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel (Luke 2:25, Luke 2:30-32).

She [Anna] coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).

When they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth (Luke 2:39).

There was no rush to flee. After the requirements of the Law were fulfilled, Joseph, Mary and Jesus return north to Nazareth.