A CHILD, A WOMAN, A MAN, AND A DONKEY
Sunday – December 24, 2017
What is commonly referred to as “The Christmas Story” is indeed a wonderful story. This story is not fiction, or historical fiction, but it is historical and present Truth. I am sure you all recognize our featured picture as a variation upon the theme of the trek of Joseph and the very pregnant Virgin Mary to Bethlehem. We see the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the donkey on the left, Bethlehem on the right and The Star in the middle. There is also a rising sun (Son) giving the indication that a new day is about to dawn. This could also be seen as a setting sun, the old is fading away and the new is on shinning into the new day. The “Christmas Story” is found in the Bible Books of Matthew and Luke. We will follow along with the version presented by Dr. Luke.
Luke 2:1-7 (KJV)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Apparently both Joseph and Mary were residents of Nazareth and Jesus resided in Nazareth with his parents and family upon their return from Egypt, therefore, He was known as a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23). Mary, Joseph, the unborn child, and the donkey were making the trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem to pay their taxes to the Roman government for they were both of the house of David (Matt 1:6, Luke 3:31). The Virgin Mary is the espoused wife of Joseph. To be espoused means they were not married yet but were in what we might call the engagement period. The details of the marriage had been worked out by the fathers of Mary and Joseph, the dowry had been paid, and Joseph (a carpenter) was preparing a place for his bride, Mary. You and I are espoused to Jesus, we are the bride of Christ, and He has gone to prepare a place for us but will return and take us to Himself.
The Scripture says that Mary was “great with child” (vs 5). In the very next verse we are told that her days were accomplished meaning she went into labor and the child was delivered. The Lord Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room at the Inn (vs 7) not that they could not afford the Inn. The availability of the manger is a major reason that critics say Jesus was not born on the 25th of December. They contend that in December (winter) the manger would have been in use by the animals but instead they were out on the hillside with the shepherds (vs 8).
I want to briefly mention three myths that most people believe to be the truth concerning the “Christmas Story”.
- Joseph and Mary could not afford to stay in the Inn.
- Mary traveled to Bethlehem on a donkey.
- Three wise men visited and brought gifts to Jesus.
Myth number one is clarified in Luke 2:7 when we are told there was no room in the Inn. Myth number two concerning Mary riding to Bethlehem on a donkey is more difficult but there is no mention in Scripture of a donkey yet every manger scene and every picture of their journey has a donkey. Myth number three says that Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were visited by three wise men from the east. Most manger scenes show these wise men even though they did not show up for some two years after the birth of Jesus. They (Joseph, Mary, and Jesus) were still in Bethlehem at that visit. Scripture is silent on the number of wise men simply saying “behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem” (Matthew 2:1). An interesting point is that these “wise men” from the east were very likely the descendants of men whom the Prophet Daniel had trained and educated and they were familiar with the signs that would be present at the birth of the Messiah.
The man in this account is Joseph who was supposed to be the father of Jesus however Jesus was conceived of the Holy Ghost, the Word became flesh. We hear a lot about Mary in the four gospels including being at the foot of the Cross at the Crucifixion but what about Joseph? The last time that we hear about Joseph is when Jesus is twelve years of age. It seems they were there for a feast (Luke 2:42) however some have said it was Jesus’ bar mitzvah. In Jewish culture boys are bar mitzvah (responsible for the commands of God) at age thirteen and girls age twelve.
Luke 2:48-49 (KJV)
48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Let us meditate the following most wonderful passage, what a sight it would have been on the hillside with the shepherds that night.
Luke 2:8-14 (KJV)
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
It is crucial to read the preceding passage with great care and to rejoice in it. Notice in Luke 2:10 it says that there is good news from Heaven which is to all people. The number ten is a number of judgement and responsibility, therefore it is the responsible of all people to decide whether they will receive, believe the good news or not. Then notice in verse fourteen, fourteen being the number of deliverance and salvation, there is goodwill from Heaven to earth. There has been war between Heaven, God, and earth, mankind, but on this night that war is at the beginning of the end. However, still people must choose to end the war by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior, or we continue the war by rejecting the Savior born Christ the Lord in Bethlehem that night two millennia ago.
Of course, this “Christmas Story” did not start in Bethlehem (house of bread) that night in the manger. It started on the Day of Sin in the Garden of Eden when man sinned and needed a Redeemer.
Genesis 3:21 (KJV)
21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
This “Christmas Story” ended on Calvary when the greatest gift of all was given.
John 19:30 (KJV)
30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
O what a Gift!
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (GW)
24 The LORD will bless you and watch over you.
25 The LORD will smile on you and be kind to you.
26 The LORD will look on you with favor and give you peace.’
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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