Daily Nugget:
Many people’s impression of the first Christmas, when Jesus was born, is often not what is described in the Bible. Most of what is believed to have happened at Christ’s birth comes from television shows, movies, artists’ renderings, or made-up stories.
Here are some of what the Scriptures say about the birth of Christ:
- The wise men were not there when Jesus was born. According to Luke 2, the shepherds were there. After Christ’s birth, more of His early life is revealed in Matthew 2. It is mentioned that the young child was in the “house” (Matthew 2:11) when the wise men arrived, not at the manger.
It is likely that Jesus was up to two years old when the wise men arrived. Herod, the king, heard that the “King of the Jews” was born. To eliminate someone who could usurp his position on the throne, he had all the children two years old and younger killed. If Jesus had just been born, Herod would not have picked that age range to ensure Jesus would be killed. - To get the scene biblically correct, the Bible never mentions that there were three wise men. They brought three kinds of gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible never mentions that there were precisely three packages, as many pictures portray. There could have been a multitude of parcels of the three different kinds of gifts. The cash value of these items may have provided the finances Joseph and his family needed to escape the genocide of all the children Herod sought to have murdered. Thus, the wise men may have paid the way to keep the young Saviour from being killed.
- There was no special star shining at His birth. According to the Matthew account, the guiding star led the wise men to where Jesus was. Since they came when He was in His “house”, there was no star at Christ’s birth.
- Although Christ’s birth is celebrated on the 25th of December, it probably did not occur then. His birth was most likely at the end of September. At Christ’s birth, the shepherds were “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock.” Since today’s winters are much like 2,000 years ago, it was too cold for grass to grow. The flocks usually grazed in the fields from April to October.
Also, Joseph and Mary went to pay their taxes (not partaking in a “census” or “registering” as many of the modern Bible perversions retell it). The tariffs were probably collected at the end of the harvest, not when the average temperature was too cold to travel (the average temperature was about 29 degrees in December). The tax turnout would not include all if it were too cold to travel. - A Christmas tree was not part of His birth. Nowhere in the birth of Christ is a Christmas tree indicated. The only decorated tree mentioned in the Word of God is found in Jeremiah 10:3-4, and it was part of a heathen custom.
The birth of the Saviour, over 2,000 years ago, was the most important birth of all time. That birth brought into this world God’s only Son, who would die on a cross to pay for the sins of all who accepted His payment.
Although many ideas concerning Christmas may be unbiblical, it is wonderful that many still stop their busy lives to remember His birth at least once a year. Misconceptions of any Bible information should teach us that the only way we will ever know the truth is to read God’s Word for ourselves. We should not rely on other sources that may not be accurate.
Today’s Thought:
“God said it; that settles it!” — Author Unknown
Words to Understand:
Decree: a legal announcement or command
Espoused: an agreement between parents of who their children will marry
Fourscore: A score is equal to 20, so 20 times four is equal to 80.
Swaddling: a cloth in which a newborn was wrapped
Today’s Reading:
Luke 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.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
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:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
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.
8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
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.
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.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
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.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 ¶ 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.
22 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;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 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.
25 ¶ 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.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
27 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,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
34 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;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
36 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;
37 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.
38 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.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
41 ¶ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
