Christ Was Born in Sukkot

Thank God for leading us all the way from the Feast of Trumpets through the Day of Atonement to Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) in the biblical New Year 5782.

We have resumed observing biblical festivals since 2004. In the Old Testament, it has been mentioned many times that the people of God “shall appear before God three times a year and shall not appear before Him empty-handed”. The three times here refer to the three major festivals, namely the Passover, the Day of Pentecost and the Sukkot. The festivals signify God’s rhythm. Jesus was crucified at Passover, the Holy Spirit came down on the Day of Pentecost, and Jesus was born in Sukkot. Therefore, the Church is to follow God’s rhythm. We lead brothers and sisters to observe the Lord’s appointed times together.

For the past 17 years, we have been following God. It is our strong belief that “Christ was born in Sukkot”. Traditionally, the birth of Jesus is set on December 25. It was ordained by Constantine the Great, a Roman king who was converted to Christ. He turned the day to celebrate sun god to Christmas, a time to commemorate Jesus, hoping to change the rave and evil atmosphere of that day. However, Christmas has since been turned to meet secular and commercial purposes. The Bible does not tell us the actual date of Jesus’ birth, however, it does call Jesus the Passover (between March and April) Lamb. We know that He walked thirty-three and a half years on earth. Based on that, He should have been born between September and October which we believe was around Sukkot.

God often speaks to us during His appointed times. Back in 2018, on the eve of Sukkot, God told me: “Sukkot is the Feast of Ingathering”. Afterward, typhoon Mangkhut hit Hong Kong, hence the beach baptism was unable to continue as planned. At the same time, the media was under the wrong impression that we neglected public safety. The truth was, we had both faith and reasoning. Hence, we held eight indoor baptisms instead and baptized 800 people. Truly God is with us in Sukkot and grants us abundant fruits.

This Sukkot, God has given us people and land, the two great blessings in the Old Testament. We will hold two Child Dedication Services, as a token of thanks to God who gives us beautiful next generation as our heritage. Moreover, C-Mo and I will move to our new house after Sukkot, a place specially prepared by God.

Dear brothers and sisters, despite the pandemic and economic hardship we face today, let us simply follow God. The harder life gets and the greater challenge we face, His blessings shall be even greater as long as we walk through the trials in faith. He will surely look after us and tabernacle with us. In the Lord’s appointed times, let’s continue to trust God and we will encounter His abundant provision together.■【2021.0919】