HOW OLD THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

 

HOW ANCIENT THE CHRISTMAS STORY?

 

Matthew 1:18 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.

 

  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 partying, shopping, presents, trees, and tinsel.

  We must not limit God working in us by confining our thinking to “Over 2,000 years ago …”

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

·         The Bible contains total of 66 books.

·         God employed 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 know as Christmas. (Dates are circa by Ussher.)

·         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.

  Though some may believe so, Christmas didn’t begin with the St. Nicholas. 

EBB4