Press Release: 'Twas Christmas to Passover: God’s Graphic Image of a Savior Who Would Die for His People

Press Release:

Stephen S. Ahokas, DVM, is excited to announce the release of his enlightening book, 'Twas Christmas to Passover: God’s Graphic Image of a Savior Who Would Die for His People. This compelling read offers a deep exploration and profound understanding of the connection between the Jewish Passover and Christ’s birth and death as the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover—a connection that has been virtually missed or underappreciated by both Jews and Gentiles throughout the centuries since His birth and death took place.

Ahokas says the inspiration for the book took shape for him over forty years ago, while he was studying at The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. While he was there, he began to see that God doesn’t write just words. He writes word pictures. “That is when I first began to see in a very rudimentary way that the circumstances surrounding Christ’s birth presented a sign or word picture for the Jewish people (His people) that He was born to be the Savior Who would one day die for them . . . and for all mankind,” says Ahokas.

For Ahokas, the urgency for searching for and finding a more complete understanding of God’s word picture also came to him during his veterinary studies. Ahokas goes on, “While a few of us were in equine anesthesiology clinics, we overheard one of our clinical professors say to some of his colleagues and students that, because he is Jewish, he can’t place his faith in Christ. That made me sad because Jesus was Jewish. And from that moment on, I have felt commissioned by God to find the true understanding that my professor—and virtually all mankind, theologians included—have missed for over two thousand years.”

Ahokas continues, “Now, having acquired a much deeper understanding of God’s word picture, I finally realize that one cannot fully understand the meaning of the Passover by studying the Tanakh (Old Testament), alone. Likewise, one cannot fully understand the meaning of Christ’s birth by studying His birth, alone. Finally, one cannot fully understand the meaning of Christ’s death by studying His death, alone. We can walk into any cemetery on any given date and see two dates on every tombstone; a date of birth and a date of death. For Christ’s time on earth, the dates were Christmas and Passover. By studying the circumstances surrounding His birth and the circumstances surrounding His death together, and by superimposing them over the puzzle of Old Testament Passover traditions, we can finally understand Who it really was that was born, and how He was the only One Who can—and ultimately did—fulfill the Passover through His death. Furthermore, we can finally see and understand the Passover as the most beautiful salvation poem ever written. For we can finally begin to see the intimacy with which God shelters and redeems His people. And from all of this, we can finally see, with crystal clear understanding, the connection between Old Testament Judaism and New Testament Christianity. At last, we can see that, in the heart of God, there is no difference between Old Testament Judaism and New Testament Christianity, and we can understand and say with great conviction that God has invited both Jews and Gentiles of all races into His loving family through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.”

Although ‘Twas Christmas to Passover: God’s Graphic Image of a Savior Who Would Die for His People contains deep and thoughtful insight into Old Testament Judaism and New Testament Christianity, don’t let that lead you to believe it will go over your head and can’t be an enjoyable read. Its deep insight comes not from deep theology, but from its vivid word pictures found right in the Old and New Testaments. Philip Van Heusen, a man with over forty years of experience as a pastor and serving as a literary critic, has reviewed and said this about ‘Twas Christmas to Passover. Can a book be filled with theological ideas and teachings while still being readable and enjoyable? If we are talking about ‘Twas Christmas to Passover by Stephen S. Ahokas, the answer is a resounding “YES!!”

Ahokas’ book can be purchased at his official website, www.TwasChristmas2Passover.com as well as other major online retail platforms, such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

• ISBN: 979-8-3304-8107-1 (Paperback)

• ISBN: 979-8-3304-8113-2 (Hardcover)

• ISBN: 979-8-3304-8108-8 (eBook)
  

For more information or to invite Stephen S. Ahokas for speaking engagements or book signings, please contact him directly at:

• Email address: TwasChristmas2Passover@gmail.com

• Cell phone: 701-212-8757

In his latest book, Twas Christmas to Passover: God's Graphic Image of a Savior Who Would Die for His People, Stephen Ahokas brings a fresh perspective on the significance of Christ's birth and death. Ahokas, a Melrose-based author, draws a direct connection between the divine events of Christ’s nativity and His sacrificial death on the cross—events that are deeply intertwined with the Jewish tradition of Passover.

Christ’s birth, often celebrated in isolation, cannot be fully understood without considering the purpose of His death, Ahokas argues. By examining the circumstances of His birth in Bethlehem and His death on Calvary, Ahokas uncovers a compelling narrative that reveals how Jesus Christ was born to be the Passover Lamb. Through this lens, His death becomes the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover, bridging a connection that has been underappreciated by both Jews and Gentiles for over two millennia.

Ahokas shares his journey of discovery, which began in 1983 during his veterinary studies at Ohio State University. It was during this time that he realized the deeper meaning behind the manger scene—a setting where a lamb could be found, symbolizing Christ’s purpose as the Savior. His inspiration to explore this connection came further into focus when, during his studies, he overheard a Jewish professor state that, as a Jew, he couldn’t place his faith in Christ. This moment was pivotal for Ahokas, sparking his mission to find the understanding that both his professor and many others had missed.

In his book, Ahokas delves into how the Jewish Passover traditions, from the first Passover in Egypt to the time of Christ, set the stage for Jesus to fulfill the role of the ultimate Passover Lamb. By exploring these traditions alongside Christ’s birth and death, Ahokas provides a new and profound understanding of the connection between the Old Testament and New Testament, showing how Christ’s divine purpose was evident from the very beginning.

Through his reflections and teachings, Ahokas hopes to share this revelation with a broader audience, encouraging both Jews and Gentiles to rediscover the true significance of the birth and death of Christ in the light of the Passover.

To learn more about this powerful connection, be sure to read Twas Christmas to Passover and join Ahokas in uncovering the deep spiritual truths that have shaped the foundation of Christianity.