Today as we get closer to Christmas present, we will have our final look at those events of a Christmas past, that took place over 2025 years ago. We pick up our story in Luke, chapter 2, verse 21. This takes place 8 days after Jesus was born, when they circumcise him according to the Torah, and he is officially given his name Jesus, according to the angel’s instructions, and he also becomes part of the Jewish community.
Then Luke gives us more information about Mary and her condition of being considered ceremonially unclean for 33 more days after the first 7 days after a boy child’s birth. This was a total of 40 days for a male and 80 days for a female child (Leviticus 12:1-5). Then she was to bring her offering to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle, before she was allowed to enter into it, then her sacrifice was accepted by the Lord.
This is where we pick up our story of this very special family as they travel to the Temple to fulfill her duty according to Mosaic Law. They were poor and the law allowed her to bring a pair of turtle doves instead of a one year old lamb and a young pigeon (Leviticus 12:8). This is where the first series of supernatural events begin to happen, as a priest named Simeon hears from the Holy Ghost in verse 26 of Luke’s story.
Simeon has been promised by God that he would not die until he has seen God’s Messiah. He is in the Temple this day as he hears the Holy Ghost tell him that the Messiah is in the Temple this day. This excited him very much and he goes looking for the promised one. God leads him to Mary and Joseph carrying the month old child with them. He picks up baby Jesus and holds him up before God and blessed him. As he talks to the astonished couple he begins to prophesy from the Torah by the direction of the Holy Ghost.
After he has finished speaking he begins to leave and another person comes up that is also directed by God to see this chosen child. Her name is Anna, a prophetess, of the tribe of Asher. She also speaks wonderful words as she is directed by God, over this very special child that is before her. Then they both leave Mary and Joseph to their own thoughts, as they continue to fulfill their duties according to the law of God. This has been a lot for them to process and take in and the scripture informs us that Mary pondered and kept all these things in her heart.
She knew that Jesus was special, but as a human being she really didn’t fully comprehend all that she saw and heard until much later in her life, many years into their future. Now we will have a look at what brother Matthew has to say about our final supernatural event in chapter 2, verses 1-23. I will not write it out as I will let you read it for yourself, and I will jut pick through it with my comments.
After the traveling to Bethlehem and the birth of Mary’s son in a stable, they decide to stay and find a home there, and begin their lives together as a family. The birth, circumcision, and presenting Jesus to the Lord has already taken place, so this is sometime in the future, and the wise men are traveling towards this super child King, that they intend to see and bless with gifts of adoration.
They were astrologers and studied the night sky for signs. This star they saw in the night sky had held their interest, and was a sign to them, which they interpreted as a King was being born that would be great in the world. They traveled from their homes towards Jerusalem. This trip could if taken up to 2 years to accomplish, for they traveled in a large caravan and it was a long way to go. We really do not know except for what the Bible says that King Herod did, by killing all male babies 2 years old and younger. (Matthew 2:16)
The only thing we know for sure is they were not there the night he was born, contrary to our Christmas tradition of the manger scene we all see each year at this time. As life once again starts to become normal for Mary and Joseph, we see them getting surprised by an event that they never once imagined. What was this event?
The wise men suddenly arrive in Bethlehem after they first went to Jerusalem and visited with King Herod. You can read the story in Matthew 2:1-12 as it tells you how they find Jesus. I will only mention one thing about this trip that I see as supernatural, as they leave Jerusalem the star suddenly appears once again for them to follow. They are super excited that this supernatural star has appeared to lead them once again, to this special baby that they have traveled so far to see. Have you ever heard of a star that moves, stands still and appears and disappears?
Mary is home with her baby as Joseph is not there at this time of day, and suddenly she hears about a great group of travelers has entered Bethlehem and is heading towards her house. They have followed the star to her house as it stands still over it. Mary invites them in after hearing their story of how they have followed a star in the sky to this very place. They enter in and kneel before baby Jesus and present him with the gifts they have brought with them for this special occasion.
Mary is totally amazed as she sees these expensive gifts that are given to her son in adoration and worship. Little did she know what this was all about, but God had His child covered as He knew what lay ahead for all of them. Most of us believers do not have a clue as to why they gave Jesus these gifts, do you? They then leave her to her thoughts as they start back to Jerusalem to tell King Herod where this baby is at. But as they slept they hear from God in a dream telling them to go straight to their home without stopping to inform the King.
King Herod is frustrated and angry as he realizes the wise men have left without telling him the child’s location and gives orders to have his soldiers go to Bethlehem and kill all male babies 2 years and younger. But God is not surprised as he has already warned Joseph to flee to Egypt. As soon as he has this dream from God he instantly obeys and takes his little family to safety as God leads him to Egypt.
To answer my question above, it is these gifts that the wise men brought to Jesus provided Joseph with the necessary financial support they would need while in hiding from King Herod as he tries to wipe out God’s Messiah. As they settle into their new normal lifestyle for an unspecified amount of time, suddenly God gives Joseph his third dream that it’s safe to return home, and as they travel back to Bethlehem, Joseph once again hears from God for his final dream to go to Nazareth instead. As was his custom when hearing from God he obeys instantly.
Christmas is not about a feeling or tradition, though it is both an emotional experience but more importantly it is a spiritual one. It is about the most precious gift that God has given us all. The gift of eternal life if we believe on Jesus as His only begotten Son, and total forgiveness of all our sins through his death and resurrection. I hope you enjoyed my study on the birth of our precious Saviour Jesus on this special night thousands of years ago. I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and for you to tell this special story of God’s great love for His creation to those God brings to you.
As I close this letter I want to remind you to remember.that you will make it, just don’t give up. See you next year as we study Gods Word together.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 