By Timothy W. Burnett
We recognize Victor Paul Wierwille for his service toward God by synthesizing the bibilical, historical and astronomical research of a number of scholars, to the end that more light could be shined on the events surrounding Jesus' birth. Among his many references, we especially note E.W. Bullinger (Witness of the Stars), and Ernest L. Martin (The Birth of Christ Recalculated). In his book, Jesus Christ Our Promised Seed (Chapter 6), Wierwille revealed that the birth of God's son occurred on the Hebrew calendar day that corresponded to our Wednesday, September 11, 3 B.C.
The year of 3 B.C. was chosen for various reasons. Wierwille listed eight of sixteen early Christian sources who dated Christ's birth between 4 and 3 B.C. The rest simply dated it after 4 B.C. He also explained the reference by Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews-Book XVII, Chapters 6-8), to a lunar eclipse that occurred just prior to Herod's death. Due to a possible misinterpretation of Josephus' dating, many scholars placed Christ's birth to be around 7 B.C. But Wierwille cited Ernest Martin who proved that the recorded January 9, 1 B.C. eclipse was the one referred to by Josephus. This caused many scholars to start looking at the astronomical events that occurred from 4 B.C. forward. This research helped to identify Jupiter to be "his star" as recorded in Matthew 2:2 & 9.
Having set 3 B.C. as the year of Jesus Christ's birth we now go to Revelation 12:1-2 for more information, "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered." The word "wonder" comes from the earlier known Greek word "semeion," which was often used in reference to zodiacal signs. The one constellation that symbolizes the woman is Virgo. It says the woman was "clothed with the sun." On the horizon, the sun was positioned at mid-body in Virgo. According to Wierwille, in the year 3 B.C., Virgo and the sun were in this position for approximately a 20-day period from August 27 to September 15. The scripture says that the moon was "under her feet." In 3 B.C. the moon was positioned under the feet of Virgo on what would be our September 11th. According to Luke 2:8 Jesus Christ was born at night. This means that his birth would have been between sunset and moonset on the Hebrew calendar day that corresponds to our Wednesday, September 11th, 3 B.C.
Wierwille laid out the significance of the Hebrew day on which Jesus was born. That day was originally the first of the new calendar year, or Tishri 1. This requires some extensive biblical research, but his main point was that Jesus Christ was born on a special day called The Day of Trumpets. During this day, Trumpets could be heard from morning until night. It was the day to recognize Jehovah as the one true King. It was also the day of coronation ceremonies for new kings (see 2Kings 11:12-14). In short, the birth of Jesus Christ was literally heralded by the blowing of trumpets. They not only recognized the ultimate Kingship of God, but they heralded the birth of His son who would be heir to His Kingdom from heaven.
Amen and praise God!
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