The Christmas Story

Intro

Beyond the festive decorations and sugarplum dreams, the Christmas story harbors a rich vein of complexity. It’s a saga that pulsates with unexpected emotions, blending the radiant joy of a newborn king with the shadows of scandal and danger. Join me as we peel back the layers of familiar carols and delve into the depths of this multifaceted narrative, uncovering the surprising richness hidden within the Nativity. This Christmas, let’s celebrate not just the birth of a child, but the extraordinary tapestry of events that led to humanities greatest redemption.

Before we explore the story, remember: the Bible wasn’t always freely accessible. Translation and interpretation were once gatekept by religious and political authorities. Thankfully, now we have translations galore, original manuscripts, and even tools to study the original text directly. God wants us to read and ponder His inspired word. Even single sentences, like many biblical events, can be densely packed with meaning, inviting us to unpack their layers. So, get ready to engage, question, and discover the richness hidden within each verse.

Read it for Yourself

The Christmas story shines bright in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, offering unique windows into this momentous event. Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, brings a Jewish perspective, weaving threads of prophecy and genealogy into his account found in chapters 1 and 2. Luke, a physician and companion of Paul, focuses on historical detail and chronology in his chapters 1 and 2, creating a narrative tapestry of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth. While their backgrounds and writing styles differ, both Gospels reveal the profound impact of Jesus’ arrival on the world. While Matthew and Luke may seem like unexpected choices to document Jesus’ life, the Bible is filled with stories of God working through ordinary, and even flawed individuals. He embraces us in our imperfections, calling forth our potential to serve His purpose.

The Story – Paraphrased

The Genealogy of Jesus

Both Matthew and Luke give us the Genealogy of Jesus. This is important for a few reasons. It establishes Jesus’ Jewish identity. They also fulfill the prophetic visions of the Messiah foretold in the Old testament and establish Jesus as the Son of Abraham, Son of David, Son of God.

One thing that hit me when reading these genealogies is that they are different. How can that be? There are are a few rational explanations I will list, but you can also explore deeper here:

• Joseph vs Mary’s Genealogy – Matthew focuses his attention on Joseph while Luke focuses more on Mary. Obviously, if this is the case, they lineage would be different going down the different branches.
• Royal vs Biological Genealogy – Matthew traces Jesus royal line with emphasis on his Messianic claim to the throne while Luke traces Jesus’ biological line. Matthew’s list is more concise and focused while Like appears to cover it all. This makes sense in the context of their overall writing style and purpose and aligns with their narratives.
• Levirate Marriage – basically, Jewish law in Deut 25:5-10 states that if a married man dies without a male heir, his brother must marry and seek to propagate with the widow to carry on the name of his deceased brother. This is certainly a possibility and could be mixed in with the other two options as well.

Scandal – An Unmarried Pregnant Woman

Mary, engaged but not yet married, received a life-altering message from an angel visit: she would conceive and bear the Son of God. The news, both wondrous and perilous, placed her at the epicenter of prophecy and societal scorn. Joseph, grappling with confusion and betrayal, contemplated a discreet departure to avoid humiliation and her potential stoning. However, a divine dream clarified his role: Mary’s child was not of human origin, but entrusted to his care as an adoptive father. Across the Judean hills, Mary found solace in her relative Elizabeth, another blessed with a miraculous pregnancy – John the Baptist, a harbinger of the Messiah. The meeting, a symphony of kinship and shared destiny, resonated with the celestial kick within Elizabeth’s womb, proclaiming Mary’s blessed state. Yet, beneath the surface of acceptance, a sense of foreboding lingered. The path ahead, paved with societal challenges and the weight of prophecy, remained veiled. This was a beginning, fraught with uncertainty, yet brimming with unwavering faith and a profound sense of purpose.

A Hard Journey Required by Roman Law

The Roman census reverberated through Judea, its edict demanding Joseph’s return to his ancestral town of Bethlehem. A ninety-mile journey loomed, its rugged path challenging for even the sturdiest traveler. Mary, heavy with child, would accompany Joseph on this arduous trek. While the exact form of their travel remains uncertain, they likely joined others displaced by the census, perhaps finding some relief in the companionship and occasional use of donkeys. Yet, the ninety miles stretched before them, an arduous testament to their faith and steadfast determination.

Birth of a King in a Barn

Earthly pomp had no place for this King. Under a canopy of stars, while night cloaked the dusty streets of Bethlehem with no rooms available, Mary sought refuge not in a palace, but in a humble stable. There, amidst the scent of hay and the whisper of animals, the Divine spark ignited, Immanuel – “God with us” – entering his creation. Wrapped in swaddling cloth, not royal silk, He who held the universe in His hand nestled in a manger, a cradle fit for a lamb’s food. A lamb without blemish. Yet, in this lowly stable, prophecy found its fulfillment (Micah 5:2). Angels bathed the fields with celestial light, proclaiming the wondrous news to humble shepherds who, guided by newfound faith, became the first witnesses to the miracle unfolding in the straw.

On the Run from a Jealous Murderer

As the news of his birth traveled, Herod, the King of Judea was made aware by Magi (priests, wise men, or astrologers, historically from ancient Persia.) Herod sent the Magi to follow the star and find Jesus and when they did, they worshiped him and gave him gifts. Rather than return to Herod to reveal his position, they were warned of the dangers of Herod in a dream.

Herod figures out he was duped by the Magi, so he orders every baby 2 years and under in Bethlehem to be killed. Joseph was given the heads up by angels in a dream and fled with his family to Egypt where they stayed until Herod died.

Historical documents confirm that Herod was an evil leader, one who was jealous and insecure and willing to murder people, including his own family. So it is not surprising, that upon hearing of the news of the Messiah and confirming the prophesy that he was to be born in Bethlehem, he was fine with killing all the babies.

“it is better to be Herod’s pig, than his son.”

Augustus – compendium Saturnalia (compiled by Macrobius)

Prophetic Return to Israel

Not much is chronicled during Jesus childhood, but when Jesus was 12 years old, he returned to Nazareth with his family now that Herod was no longer a threat. Upon returning home to Nazareth, the prophesy of Hosea (HOS 11:1) was fulfilled. As a young child, Jesus spent time with Rabbis in synagogue and he grew up and became a carpenter like his father Joseph. When he was 30 years old, he was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and began his ministry.

Birthday of the Savior

Celebrating Christmas is not merely celebrating the birthday of a man, but the incarnate Word of God – wholly God and wholly Man. Immanuel – God with us. God in the flesh. This is the mystery of mysteries, the hypostatic union, where Divinity and humanity united in the person of Jesus Christ. In Bethlehem’s humble stable, prophecy blossomed into hope. A newborn king, born not in a palace but a manger, arrived to shatter the chains of sin and death, offering the promise of salvation and eternal life in His embrace for all who will choose to follow Him.

History

You can stop here – everything above is what is important. I just find some of the history of what we celebrate very interesting, so I took some notes.

Before it Even Starts, it was Foretold

Hundreds of years before the story begins, the birth of Jesus and his character are foretold. The Hebrew Bible contains numerous messianic prophecies, particularly in the books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. I don’t want to cover them all, but here are a few examples directly related to Christmas:

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Hos 11:1 When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Micah 5:2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Psalm 72:10-11 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him.

The coming Messiah is described as:

• Deliverer: The Messiah would free the people from oppression, both physical and spiritual. This could involve liberation from foreign conquerors, internal injustice, and even the power of sin and death.
• Restorer: The Messiah would bring about a renewed era of peace, justice, and righteousness, fulfilling God’s covenant promises and establishing a harmonious relationship between God and humanity.
• Exemplary leader: The Messiah would possess wisdom, righteousness, and compassion, serving the people and leading them with integrity.
• Suffering Servant: Isaiah points towards a Messiah who would suffer and sacrifice himself for the sins of the world. 

Parallels in the Old and New Testaments

• Israel’s exodus from Egypt was a picture of God’s Future redemption seen with Jesus (Nu 24:8)
• Herod’s order to “kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity” parallels the order of Pharaoh “Every Hebrew boy that is born must be thrown into the Nile”
• Jesus is a new Moses, prepared in Egypt to lead his people into the Promised land and fulfill the blessings of Abraham.

His Name

Jesus (/ˈdʒiːzəs/) is a masculine given name derived or transliterated from Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς; Iesus in Classical Latin) the Ancient Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua (ישוע). As its roots lie in the name Isho in Aramaic and Yeshua in Hebrew, it is etymologically related to another biblical name, Joshua.

A little background on the Authors:

Matthew: One of Jesus’ twelve apostles, Matthew, a former tax collector (read – hated by Jews) in Roman Judea, became a key figure in early Christianity. Writing his Gospel primarily for Jewish Christians in the late first century CE, likely in Antioch, he aimed to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled Jewish prophecies and continued the legacy of Israel. In the wake of the temple’s destruction and Roman dominance, Matthew emphasized Jesus’ Jewish roots as a way to preserve cultural identity and offer hope for the future.

Luke: Likely a Gentile convert and physician, Luke played a crucial role in early Christianity. While not one of the twelve disciples, he accompanied Paul on his journeys and collaborated with him on the Acts of the Apostles and may have been around directly with Jesus. Written around 80-90 AD, his Gospel is known for its focus on Jesus’ ministry to the marginalized and its universal message of salvation. Luke aimed to appeal to Gentile converts, portraying Jesus as the Savior for all people and emphasizing themes of hope, acceptance, and redemption through faith. Where other Gospels explored theological themes, Luke prioritized historical accuracy,  documenting Jesus’ life through the eyes of those who witnessed it in more of a chronology.

December 25th? Traditions?

Germanic and Norse Traditions: For these ancient cultures, the winter solstice marked a significant turning point, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun and the promise of longer days. Bonfires, feasting, and gift-giving were common ways to celebrate this momentous occasion. These elements find echoes in the Christmas traditions of Yule logs, festive meals, and exchanging gifts.

Yule: Celebrated primarily by Germanic and Norse cultures, Yule was traditionally observed around December 21st with bonfires, feasting, gift-giving, and rituals honoring deities like Odin and Thor. The central theme of Yule revolves around the return of light after the longest night. It’s a time to celebrate hope, new beginnings, and the resilience of nature in the face of winter’s darkness.

Saturnalia: This Roman festival of revelry and gift-giving, held from December 17th to 23rd, predates Christianity by centuries. During this time, social hierarchies were temporarily overturned, slaves and masters feasted together, and gambling and merrymaking were encouraged. The spirit of joyful abandon and generosity echoes in the Christmas tradition of exchanging gifts and celebrating with loved ones.

Mithraism: This mystery religion, popular in the Roman Empire during the first few centuries AD, celebrated the birth of the sun god Mithras on December 25th.

Holly and Mistletoe: These evergreen plants, revered for their ability to stay green even in the depths of winter, were considered symbols of life and fertility by many pagan cultures. They were often used to decorate homes and ward off evil spirits. Today, holly and mistletoe remain popular Christmas decorations, adding a touch of nature’s resilience to the festive season.

Christmas Trees: While the exact origins of the Christmas tree remain debatable, some historians trace it back to pagan traditions of decorating trees with symbols of the sun and fertility. The evergreen nature of the tree resonated with the themes of winter solstice celebrations, and eventually became associated with Christmas.

Early Christians Didn’t Celebrate Birthdays: For the first three centuries of Christianity, celebrating birthdays, including Jesus’, wasn’t a major focus. They emphasized his death and resurrection (Easter) as the most significant events.

Gradual Emergence in 4th Century: Around the 4th century, under the reign of Roman Emperor Constantine (the first Christian emperor), the celebration of Jesus’ birth began to gain traction.

December 25th – A Symbolic Choice: This date aligns with the Roman festival of Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (Birthday of the Unconquered Sun), celebrated on December 25th. Choosing this date might have been a strategic move to Christianize existing winter solstice celebrations and offer an alternative.

While the commercial aspects of Christmas (and some of the pagan rooted traditions) can sometimes overshadow its deeper significance, this year I want to refocus on the heart of the celebration: the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. This joyful event marked the beginning of a journey that culminated in the even greater triumph of Easter, his sacrificial death and victory over death.