A Chronological Story of Christmas

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A Chronological Story of Christmas

By Ron Lighthall

Mathew introduces the earthly mother of Jesus, Mathew 1:18  “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.  Due to the fact that Mary was already promised to Joseph, but not yet married, being pregnant caused Mary to worry that Joseph would rebuke her.  Mary was a devout, Godly person, and was known throughout Galilee to be sinless.  

The birth of Jesus is foretold in Luke where the circumstances surrounding this miraculous and Holy conception are described.  Luke 1:26-28, “In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David.  The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored!  The Lord is with you.  Gabriel calms Mary then tells her, Luke 1:31-35, “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.  How will this be,Mary asked the angel, since I am a virgin? The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.  So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Mary who held great faith, and being obedient to God replied, Luke 1:38, I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered.  May it be to me as you have said.  Then the angel left her.”

By most accounts it is agreed that the birth of Jesus occurred during the reign of the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus (31 B.C. – A.D. 14).  Caesar Augustus is considered to be the greatest Roman Emperor, for he expanded the Roman Empire to include the entire Mediterranean world.  The birth of Jesus described by Luke mentions Caesar, and also hints as to the greatness of the Roman Empire.  Luke 2:1,2, “In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)”  Joseph heeded this order by Caesar to register, Luke 2:4, “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazereth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlahem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.”  While in Bethlahem Mary delivered mans Savior, Luke 2:6,7, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  The most likely reason that Jesus was born in a stable, and then placed in an animal trough (manger) was because; Bethlehem was inundated with people who were registering for the census.

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It was customary for sheepherders to stand watch over their flocks at night.  God sent an angel to inform the shepherds in the surrounding area that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem.  The initial appearance of the angel struck fear in the shepherds, Luke 2:10-12, “But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby ...

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