HOW OLD THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

HOW OLD THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Matthew [MKJV] 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was this way (for His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph) before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. But Joseph, her husband to be, being just, and not willing to make her a public example, he purposed to put her away secretly. And as he thought upon these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take to you Mary as your wife. For that in her is fathered of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bear a son, and you shall call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this happened so that might be fulfilled that which was spoken of the LORD by the prophet, saying, "Behold, the virgin shall conceive in her womb, and will bear a son. And they will call His name Emmanuel," which being interpreted is, God with us.

  There are those today that are clueless as to Christmas beyond its commercialization. There are also those that know better but don’t live accordingly in the true spirit of Christmas. For some it’s a fixation on the immediate of presents, trees, and tinsel.

  We shouldn’t even limit God working in us by confining our thinking to “Over 2,000 years ago …”

  First, considering it’s the Bible that tells us the wonderful story, let’s look at a few foundational truths.

·         Old & New Testament contains total of 66 books.

·         God used about 40 penman over a 4,000+ year period.

·         Most of them never knew each other.

·         Their writings were not the product of writer’s workshops or seminars.

·         They were from diverse cultures, areas, and educational backgrounds.

·         Their writings, though not concurrently penned, are harmonious.

·         Their style is various, but their theme is consistent.

·         They served under the aegis of The One Editor.

  Some wrote of the coming First Advent of Christ, that which we refer to as Christmas. (Dates are circa.)

·         BC 4004, Genesis 3:15, the initial prophecy of Christ’s birth.

·         BC 1452, Numbers 24:17, the Star of Bethlehem.

·         BC 977, Ecclesiastes 9:14-15, He would come, save, and be forgotten by His own people.

·         BC 742, Isaiah 7:14, virgin birth foretold; 9:17 Messiah prophesied.

·         BC 600, Jeremiah 10:3-5, Christmas tree?

·         BC 710, Micah 5:2, birthplace foretold.

  As anyone can see, Christmas didn’t begin with the Macy parade.  EBB4