But your story starts with Him.
The stories about Christmas and the Birth of Jesus do not tell the real story with all the details.
His story did not begin at the manager, John 1:1-14, i.e. V14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. The many Nativity scenes and Christmas plays and many Christmas messages do not capture the truth and glory of this event. [The Incarnation of God] But may I say, your story starts with Him.
This birth was not done in a corner. Historical facts show this event, [1]“The Gospels tell us that his birth was shortly before Herod the Great died. Herod's death can be fixed with certainty.
Josephus records an eclipse of the moon just before Herod passed on. This occurred on March 12th or 13th in 4 B.C. Josephus also tells us that Herod expired just before Passover. This feast took place on April 11th, in the same year, 4 B.C. From other details supplied by Josephus, we can pinpoint Herod the Great's demise as occurring between March 29th and April 4th in 4 B.C.
It might sound strange to suggest that Jesus Christ was born no later than 4 B.C. since B.C. means 'before Christ.' But our modern calendar which splits time between B.C. and A.D. was not invented until A.D. 525. [A.D." stands confusingly for a Latin phrase: anno domini ("in the year of our Lord Jesus Christ" – It does not mean after death]— { At that time, Pope John the First asked a monk named Dionysius to prepare a standardized calendar for the western Church. Unfortunately, poor Dionysius missed the real B.C./A.D.!
Now Matthew tells us that Herod killed Bethlehem's babies two years old and under. The earliest Jesus could have been born, therefore, is 6 B.C. Through a variety of other time indicators, we can be relatively confident that the one called Messiah was born in either late 5 or early 4 B.C.”
December 25th is a logical date as any to celebrate the Birth of Jesus. Following are some facts that bear this out. “early Jewish sources suggest that the sheep around Bethlehem were outside year-round. As you can see, December 25th fits both tradition and the biblical narrative well. There is no sound objection to it.
Now admittedly, the sheep around Bethlehem were the exception, not the rule. But these were no ordinary sheep. They were sacrificial lambs. In the early spring, they would be slaughtered at the Passover.
And God first revealed the Messiah's birth to these shepherds--shepherds who protected harmless lambs who would soon die on behalf of sinful men. From Bible.org The Birth of Christ.
Who was the Magi? We don’t have a lot of information about them in the Bible. No names are given, nor how many and what country they came from is not told. Matthew 2:1,2 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.
They were as the Bible says, wise men. They were not astrologers. Daniel was the chief of the magi in Nebuchadnezzar’s court. And through his influence, many of the magi carried on their religious and political duties as worshippers of the One True God. [Duet.17 condemns the study of the sun, moon, and any of the host of heaven as a means of Idol worship.] Many scholars believe that Isaiah 9:2 is a reference to the Star. The Wise men made a statement that you can not get around, Mat 2:2 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.
That shoots down the idea that the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn formed the star. And then the fact the star stopped over where Jesus was. Mat 2:9 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. Mat 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. Were the wise men all that saw the star? They are the only ones who came. Were there others who saw but could not come?
The following story describes the feelings of many about the Bible, the Gospel, the Promises of our LORD, and our response to Jesus.
A young man met the girl of his dreams; he said, she was beautiful, smart, and sassy. He knew she was for him and he wanted to marry her! But he never ask her so they were never married. That describes the way so many view Jesus who secured Eternal Life for them. And as the One who alone can guarantee you everlasting life, He promised you Eternal Life. 1Jn 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, eternal life. Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
The Shepherds and the Angels Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. Luk 2:4 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:) Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. Luk 2:7 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. Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. Luk 2:9 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. Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
At the right place in God’s plan for the ages, Mary gave birth to her firstborn. Jesus was not to be born in an Inn. That is why there was no room. The word manger means a feeding trough. The Bible does not say from where the swaddling clothes came. I think they were there where He was to be born. Mary and Joseph may have brought them but they are not rags torn from their clothing.
There was no star to guide the Shepherds. Bethlehem was overflowing with people. The baby Jesus could have been anywhere but listen to the angel of the Lord, Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And with that they knew exactly where to go, Luk 2:15 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. Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And they knew exactly where to go.
[2]The "tower of the flock" is the Hebrew phrase Migdal Edar and means "watchtower of the flock". This tower was for the flocks which produced lambs that there were destined for Temple sacrifices. The shepherds who kept them were men who were specifically trained for raising sacrificial lambs. They were educated in what it took to keep these lambs spotless and unharmed. Ewes were brought to the tower and their deliveries were overseen by the priests. These lambs were wrapped in "swaddling clothes" to protect them from injury so they would be an acceptable sacrifice - without spot or blemish. The shepherds that kept the special flock near Bethlehem would have certainly known these prophecies from Micah. Since only the sacrificial lambs were wrapped in swaddling clothes, the shepherds knew exactly where to go to find the babe. the Tower of the Flock was kept ceremonially clean, so it was a perfect place for the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, to be born.” And it would not be used again until time for the sacrifices to be offered.
What does all this mean? It is the story of Grace and forgiveness that comes from God. Martin Luther once said, “To be convinced in our hearts that we have forgiveness of sins and peace with God by grace alone is the hardest thing.”
We have been conditioned to believe we must earn God’s favor. When His favor is to do for us, that which we can not do for ourselves. Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
There are no free rides, you get out what you put in is what the world says but that is not true with The LORD. It is just the reverse with the LORD. We put in sin, failures, and messes and get back, Grace! And in that grace, we find forgiveness, mercy, and love. That is what King David experienced from the LORD. It is recorded in Psalm 51, i.e V 16-17 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psa 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. Psa 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Why did He not require an offering, because Jesus is the provided sacrifice. The volume of the book, the Bible, is the story of God’s provided sacrifice, Jesus Christ.
How fitting that Jesus would be born where all sacrificial lamb made under the law would be born for He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the World. Grace and Truth came in Jesus Christ. And with Him came the end of all animal sacrifices to be offered for sin. Hebrews 9:26. “….but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” And then Hebrews 10:12 says it all, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Do you realize today your sin, all sin is gone forever.
Listen to these verses Heb. 10:10, By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. “{By the Which will”= the will of God! V8-9 Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. He took the law and established grace}
“We are sanctified….” Is everything that we are made through the finished work of Christ on the cross: Justification, Redemption, etc. 1 Cor 1:30 says That God, the Father made Jesus unto us, But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
And then 10:12 adds to this story, But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; Heb 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Jesus Christ has done what all other sacrifices before Him could not do. He has done what no other can do. Heb 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, And who are those who are sanctified? None but those whose faith is in Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God Who took away their sin. “He hath perfected for ever….” You are safe and secure forever in Jesus Christ.
And there in that manger, the feeding trough lay the baby Jesus in the body made by the Father, Heb 10:5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: Heb 10:6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. Heb 10:7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. That body which would bear the wounds and scars of Calvary and bear all the sin of the world for all time.
And that same Jesus from the future looks back to us, The Church age, and says, Rev. 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. V17 “……And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
“Belief is persuasion:” If you are persuaded that something is true, you believe it. Meaning you have confidence in whom you have believed, Paul said, “…for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
Are you persuaded that Jesus is able to keep that which He promised, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47
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