So many people have an idea of how Christmas came to be. There are plenty of traditions that we look to and observe. But, what really happened at that time?
Let's see what the Scriptures say!
The story begins about 9 months earlier...
Luke 1:26-38- And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
An angel appeared to the virgin Mary. We know she's a virgin because she's only engaged (espoused) and she says she's known not a man (she hasn't had relations yet). The angel, Gabriel, tells her that she's going to be the mother of the child, but the father will be God and it will be a spiritual conception through the Holy Spirit without a man being involved.
In those days, in the Jewish custom, if an engaged girl committed fornication with someone she would be stoned to death along with the man. When her pregnancy became known, her fiance would have a serious problem- say the baby is his or allow her to be killed.
Matthew 1:18-25- Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
God didn't send an angel to Joseph. He knew that Joseph was a just man and would heed what was spoken to him in a dream. God told Joseph to go ahead and marry this pregnant girl because she didn't cheat on him. She was chosen by God for a special purpose- to bring the Messiah into the world.
Galatians 4:4-5- But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Many people think the above verse is wrong. But, it's not. God sent forth Jesus who was made of a woman. Every piece of genetic DNA in Jesus was from Mary. His father was God, so the only way for him to have a human body was to use the genetic coding from Mary- he was literally made of a woman!
Joseph's genealogy is given in Matthew 1. His lineage runs through the kings of Israel. God curses that lineage in Jeremiah 22. He says that no man from that family would ever sit on the throne of David again.
Mary's genealogy is given in Luke 3. It runs through King David, but not King Solomon. Her line goes through one of Solomon's brothers, Nathan. This is how God kept his promise to David without reversing his curse on Jeconiah.
Luke 2:1-7- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And 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 Judaea, 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. And 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.
During her ninth month of pregnancy, there was an order from the Roman ruler of the Middle East/ Asia Minor that said everyone had to go to the place of their birth and pay a global tax. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but Joseph's lineage was Bethlehem. So that's where they traveled to pay their mandated taxes.
When they got to Bethlehem many people were there for this mandatory tax. The inns were completely filled and they couldn't find anyone willing to take them into their home. So, they stayed in a barn. The hard journey put Mary into labor, and Joseph delivered the baby in that stable and they wrapped him in the only thing they could find- burial cloths. It was a sign to the world that they wouldn't recognize- Jesus Christ was born to die.
Luke 2:8-20- And 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 Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye 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. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
The entire world was oblivious to this miracle. Heaven was in an unfamiliar state. Never before had the God head been divided. One member of the Trinity- the Son- was no longer in their presence. They went to the earth to make this momentous occasion known.
There were shepherds outside of Bethlehem that night. They were watching their flocks in the field. It was actually around the time of the Feast of Tabernacles when the Jewish people were to dwell in booths- around the end of September. The angels showed up to these shepherds and proclaimed their joyous news.
Can you imagine their shock and awe as the sky filled with angelic being singing about the Messiah born that night? They rushed into the city to go see the baby and then told everyone they could about what they had witnessed!
Most people get messed up around this point. The story is different than many realize.
Luke 2:21-38- And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And 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; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. And, 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 Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 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. And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Mary waits 8 days and then goes to the temple to get Jesus circumcised according to the law. And, to offer the sacrifice required of new mothers which was also stated in the law. Two different people meet her there.
The first, a man named Simeon. People assume he's an aged man, but that's no where in the passage. He sees the baby Messiah and says that he can die right now and be okay with it. He could have been in his 20's or 30's!
The next was an old women, Anna. She also acknowledged the presence of the Messiah and proclaimed that to those around.
Joseph and Mary were in awe at what was happening. They knew this child was special, but I'm wondering if they understood exactly how special He was!
After this, Joseph and Mary settled into their new life. They had a normal marriage relationship, bought a house, and lived as any other couple.
The angels that appeared to the Shepherds had vanished, but a singular phenomenon had remained in the sky. A star that gained the attention of some men in the east.
These men decided that they would follow the star to the King that it heralded.
Matthew 2:1-12- Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
The wise men traveled far following this "star". It led them to Jerusalem first. Here, they went to the ruler and asked where the King was so they could worship Him. Herod quickly gathered the religious leaders and demanded that they search their scrolls for the answer.
As this was occurring, he grilled the wise men on when the star appeared. Herod was troubled because he knew this new king was a threat to his reign. He lied to the wise men that he, too, wanted to worship the child.
The religious leaders found the Scripture that said Bethlehem would be the place. The wise men then proceeded to the city and the star guided them to the house. They went in and worshipped the child. Not Joseph or Mary. They gave gifts to the child of gold (representing his status of king), frankincense (representing his life as a prophet of the Lord), and myrrh (representing his sacrificial death). These things were not necessarily known to the wise men or even Joseph and Mary. They were a sign by God to His people Israel.
The wise men didn't show up at the barn in Bethlehem. They showed up at a house. It wasn't a baby in a manger, but a little toddler of about 2 years old that they saw and worshipped.
God told the wise men that Herod was deceitful and warned them not to go back and tell him where Jesus could be found. Then he warned Joseph.
Matthew 2:13-18- And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
It is important to notice that Mary had no idea that her child's life was in danger. I'm going to upset some of you, but Mary is not the mother of God; she's the mother of Jesus humanity. She's not some special saint to be prayed to.
When God chose to warn of the impending danger, he warned the man of the house. Joseph was the leader of the home and it was his job to protect his family. God told him where to flee with his family so they would be safe.
Herod had grilled the wise men for a specific time that the star had appeared. It had been two years ago that they had first seen the sign of the newborn king. It was because of this timing that Herod sent to Bethlehem and killed all the children two years old and under- he was covering all the bases! He thought that surely he had destroyed this threat to his kingship.
Matthew 2:19-23- But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
When the danger was past, the angel again appeared to Joseph in a dream. Note that each time the Lord speaks to Joseph it is in his dreams. He never sent an angel to physically appear to him. Joseph could be trusted to discern the Lord's will through his dreams.
Luke 2:39-40- And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Afraid that Herod's progeny would seek to destroy his family, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Nazareth, the city they originally lived in when they married. Here is where Jesus and his brothers and sisters were raised by a humble carpenter.
Mark 6:1-4- And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Mary was not a perpetual virgin. She would be breaking God's law if she defrauded her husband for all those years.
Jesus wasn't an only child. He had at least 4 half-brothers and 2 half-sisters.
The Bible is very clear that the birth of Jesus was a miracle! But, it didn't happen the way most people want to believe. Many love the baby in the manger, but they want to avoid the Savior on the cross. Christ was born to die for our sins. If you choose to accept Him as your Savior then you, too, can have forgiveness in the sight of God and be accepted into Heaven when you die.
If you choose to reject him you will spend your first second in hell realizing that you made a mistake. You next second will be the dreadful acknowledgement that you will be there forever. And for all eternity you will mourn the fact that you rejected a loving Savior's gift of forgiveness for sins!
