Who Came To Visit Jesus When He Was Born

Who visited Jesus at the stable?

We begin to see nativity sets emerging all over the place around this time of year, some of which contain specific figures – but were these characters actually present? Changes in school nativity plays have been highlighted by the BBC this week; however, we have discovered that the story has been altered so that, rather than just Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, and a donkey, there are now roles for aliens, punk fairies, Elvis Presley, footballers, a lobster, and a drunken spaceman. Was Elvis in attendance?

Are we allowing the nativity to be reduced to a myth or a fairy tale?

The Facts of the Matter Luke 2:1 During those days, an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus requiring that the whole empire be registered with him.

3 As a result, everyone proceeded to their respective towns to get registered.

6 While they were there, she went into labor, and they were all present.
8 Shepherds were remaining out in the fields and keeping vigil over their flocks at night in the same location as the previous day.
10 But the angel spoke to them and said, “Don’t be frightened, for look, I am proclaiming to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 today in the city of David was born for you a Saviour, who is Messiah the Lord.
The angels had left them and returned to heaven, but they had not forgotten what had happened.
When the shepherds saw them, they immediately conveyed the news they had received about the infant, and everyone who heard it was taken aback by what the shepherds had spoken.
Upon their return, the shepherds extolled and praised God for everything they had saw and heard, exactly as they had been instructed.
Although the trip was probably no more than 20 miles, there were no contemporary highways to take them there, and they may have had to skirt around hills to get there.
The Jews were well-known for their friendliness, and the fact that there was no room for them anywhere must have indicated that the town was completely packed.
If their families were from the region, wouldn’t someone have taken them in as their own?
Unlike the term ‘inn’ in the narrative of the Good Samaritan, which refers to a lodging establishment accessible to the public, the word ‘inn’ here merely refers to a guest room.

Because Jesus was placed in an animal feeding trough, this could have been in another room or lean-to that was normally used for animals, or it could have been the downstairs of the house, where animals and family members might have slept together with only a low wall between them in many poorer homes.

Arrangement of the characters in the space We are aware that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were present.
In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that Joseph walked to Bethlehem while Mary rode on the back of a donkey!
Perhaps Mary walked the entire distance!
Don’t you think the shepherds arrived, didn’t they?
They were all in good spirits.
Even though we know they didn’t stay for long, we know they saw Jesus and spread the news of His birth.
They did, after all, bring a lamb as a gift, didn’t they?

As a result, it’s possible that we should skip the lamb this year.

Matt 2:21-23 Following Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of King Herod, wise men from the East came unexpectedly in Jerusalem, 2 proclaiming, “We have come to bring you good news of great joy.” “What happened to the One who was born King of the Jews?

16 As soon as Herod realized he had been outfoxed, he lost his cool and became enraged with vengeance.

We’re all aware that the three kings arrived at the stable from the Orient, aren’t we?

One in a cab, one in a car, and one on a scooter with his hooter blaring are all examples.

Historically, the east has been associated with China, but we are talking about the east of Israel, and most historians and theologians believe that these guests came from the broad area of Iran or Babylonia while they were in Israel.

It follows that they were also not kings, a word that was accidentally inserted into the King James Version since it was delivered to King James.

They were, without a doubt, extremely influential and very wealthy individuals, but they were not monarchs.

However, we do not know how many individuals contributed to the three presents that were presented by them.

So, keeping in mind that they weren’t kings and that there weren’t definitely three of them, were they actually present?

The guests from the East had “seen his star in the east” and had traveled to Jerusalem before making their way to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus.

Matt.

Because they had a long journey ahead of them, maybe including 500 miles, they needed to get the ‘team’ ready before setting off on their adventure.

Is it one night, two nights, a week, or two weeks?

So, does this imply that the star had shown a year before and that Herod was simply adding more time to be certain?

Matthew 2 begins with the following words: A short time after Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem in Judea during the reign of King Herod, a group of wise men from the east came unexpectedly in Jerusalem.

In our nativity scene, we are left with Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, as well as a few shepherds, as a result of this.

There were also a few Maji present at another time before they left Bethlehem – but they did not come to the stable or the out-building at that time!

Is it really that important?

Certainly, the Maji paid him a visit, but not at the same time as the shepherds or when the child was still a newborn.

If we embellish this narrative too much, it will become meaningless, just like all other stories, and we don’t want the significance of Christmas to be lost to us!

Elvis was not present, aliens did not arrive, and Superman did not appear, regardless of what the elementary schools claim.

God, on the other hand, took on flesh and walked into our neighborhood. God was in attendance. The presence of someone greater than Jonah, someone greater than Solomon, and someone greater than Superman, the first son of Krypton was also evident!

Shepherds or Wise Men?: The Birth of Jesus

Nativity sets with specific characters start to appear all over the place around this time of year, but were they really there? This is the time of year when we start to notice them. Changes in school nativity plays have been highlighted by the BBC this week; however, we have discovered that the story has been altered so that, rather than just Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, and a donkey, there are now parts for aliens, punk fairies, Elvis Presley, footballers, a lobster, and a drunken spaceman.

In fact, he was either crying in a chapel or checking into the ‘Heartbreak Hotel,’ depending on your perspective (which incidentally is down at the bottom of Lonely Street).
So, who was it that was at the barn?
Luke 2:1 During Quirinius’ reign as ruler of Syria, the first registration took place.
4 Moreover, Joseph traveled from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David, which is known as Bethlehem because he was descended from the house and family line of David, 5 in order to be registered with Mary, who was betrothed to him and expecting a child.
7 After that, she gave birth to her firstborn Son, whom she wrapped securely in cloth and placed in a feeding trough since there was no room for them at the inn.
Ninety-nine Then an angel of the Lord appeared in front of them, and the glory of the Lord shined all around them, terrifying them.

The indication for you will be this: you will come across a baby who has been wrapped in cloth and who is reclining in a feeding dish.” 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those whom He favors!15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said among themselves, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened,” which they had learned from the Lord.

The angels had left them and returned to heaven, but they had not forgotten what they had heard from God.
16 When the shepherds saw them, they immediately conveyed the message they had received about the kid, and everyone who heard it was taken aback by what the shepherds had told them about the infant.
In accordance with what had been told them, the shepherds returned, thanking and worshipping God for what they had seen and heard.
However, because of the lack of modern highways and the possibility of having to skirt around hills to get there, the journey was likely just a few miles long.
Given that the Jews were well-known for their friendliness, the fact that there was no place for them to stay must have indicated that the town was completely packed.
If their families were from the region, wouldn’t their relatives have taken them in as relatives would have done?
Unlike the term ‘inn’ in the narrative of the Good Samaritan, which refers to a public lodging location, in this case the word ‘inn’ refers to a private room reserved for a single individual.

Putting the characters in the right place at the right place Our knowledge of the event includes the presence of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus.
In fact, nowhere in the Bible does it indicate that Joseph walked to Bethlehem while Mary rode on the back of a donkey.
It’s possible that Mary walked the entire distance!
Don’t you think the shepherds came?
In any case, at the very least, they came by air!
Thus, a few shepherd figures may still be seen in our nativity scene without causing problems.
As previously said, the Bible does not make any reference of this!

It’s just the three of us.

We have come to worship Him because we have seen His star in the east.” … 7 He then called the wise men together in secret and inquired as to what time the star had appeared.

To conform with the time he had learned from the wise men, he ordered orders to slaughter all male children in and surrounding Bethlehem who were two years old or younger, as well as all female children.

We, the three Orient kings, are here.

Taking a long drag on a massive cigar First and foremost, the Bible does not state that they came from the Orient, but rather that they came from the East.

These individuals were descended from the line of wise men, of whom Daniel had been a member hundreds of years before their arrival in Jerusalem.

Maji-magicians or wise men (not illusionists!) were in charge.

The Bible does not tell us how many there were, and we have no way of knowing.

They were also not known to be very short (wee three kings, perhaps?).

For example, how long would you expect to be in temporary housing for the purpose of a census?

He may not have been born at that that moment, but Herod appeared to believe that it was significant in some way.

1:7 (New International Version) He then called the three wise men together in secret and asked them when the star appeared.

They were in for a long voyage.

Do you want to go out for one night or two?

In one of his most heinous deeds, Herod slaughtered all the male newborns under the age of two.

However, while it is possible that they discovered Jesus in the out-building, it is quite doubtful.

This occurred after Jesus’ birth – some time after, and certainly not on the night of His birth.

Adding a lamb and a donkey to the mix doesn’t hurt either.

Bovered?

So what if we add a few creatures to the mix?

Certainly, the Maji paid him a visit, but not at the same time as the shepherds or while the child was still a newborn baby.

If we over-embellish this tale, it will become meaningless, just like all other stories.

God taking on human form is at the heart of everything, and the cross is constantly there.

God, on the other hand, took on human form and entered into our midst. In that place, God was. The presence of someone greater than Jonah, someone greater than Solomon, and someone greater than Superman, the first son of Krypton was also notable.

Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-7 (The Annunciation to Mary and the Birth of Jesus) Luke 2:8-20 (The Shepherd’s Visit)

We will notice some significant differences between Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth and Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth in the passages we will read this week. The focus of Luke’s story is on Mary and the shepherds, whereas the focus of Matthew’s story is on Joseph and the Magi. One of the most important aspects of Luke’s Gospel is the prominent role that women play throughout the narrative, beginning with the role played by Mary, who serves as a model for all women. Mary is referred to as the “favored one” (or “full of grace” in the old translation) in the Bible.

Mary is God’s favored one (1:28), and she has found favor (1:30) with the Father in Jesus Christ.
It extends to the most unlikely of people as well—low-life shepherds out in the fields, whom people in Jesus’ day would have regarded as something akin to the way we regard garbage collectors or workers in sewage treatment plants: perpetually unclean, as opposed to people today.
It is not enough, according to Luke’s Gospel, that God’s favor has been extended to Mary, or even that God’s favor has been extended to the “unwashed” keepers of sheep.
As a result, at the conclusion of his first sermon, Jesus declares that the year of the Lord’s favor has begun to be fulfilled in the hearing of all those who hear him (4:19)

Matthew 1:18-25 (The Annunciation to Joseph and the Birth of Jesus)Matthew 2:1-12 (The Magi Visit)

In popular culture, the narrative of the visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary in the Gospel of Luke is referred to as the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary. However, it is less customary, though no less accurate, to assert that the Virgin Joseph receives a heavenly annunciation in Matthew’s Gospel. Just as Luke places an early focus on Mary’s part in Jesus’ birth into the world, Matthew places an early emphasis on Joseph’s role in Jesus’ birth into the world. In a dream, an angel appears to Joseph and assures him that it is acceptable and proper for him to accept Mary as his wife, despite the fact that she is pregnant before they are married.

In Matthew’s story of Jesus’ birth, there are no shepherds to be found.

(Shepherds were regarded ritually unclean because of their mucking around with sheep and sheep manure, and hence were unable to attend the Temple in Jerusalem to offer the prescribed sacrifices.) There is, however, an equally surprising surprise in the choice of people who are picked to be the first visitors to Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel: “unwashed” Gentile Magi who do not even worship the God of Israel!

So it would appear that, despite the differences in emphasis and main characters between Luke and Matthew’s birth stories, one central point about Jesus and his birth is the same: this Messiah will be a surprising one, turning upside down many of the expectations of his fellow Jews as he is welcomed and celebrated by—and will himself welcome and celebrate—”ritually unclean” Jews (the shepherds of Luke) and “unbelieving” Gentiles (the Magi of Matthew) (the Magi of Matthew).

This Jesus will demonstrate God’s favor, God’s love, God’s peace, and God’s healing to anybody who comes to him, whether they are Jews or Gentiles, ritually unclean or those who have never believed in the God of Israel. Bill Rich is a writer and entrepreneur who lives in the United States.

Questions for Reflection

1. Do you find yourself pulled more to Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ birth than you do to Matthew’s accounts? You may be able to pinpoint what it is that pulls you to one Gospel over the other, but can you explain why? God’s favor enters into the world as a result of Mary’s cooperation with the heavenly message she receives from God, despite her reservations and concerns. What fears or apprehensions do you need to get over in order to receive God’s blessing? 3. Many individuals find the emphasis placed on the virgin birth to be difficult to comprehend and accept.

Would it be more helpful to conceive of virginity as more about being uncluttered (by prior or current distracting obligations) and open to receive what God has to offer instead?
Jesus’ initial guests are “unwashed” Jews and unbelieving Gentiles, who are among his most ardent supporters.
For you, how does it alter your perspective to conceive God inviting anything you consider to be unwashed in you to have a personal experience with Jesus?
What happens when you agree that God wants to announce you—including your unwashed and disbelieving parts—divinely favored?

Poem

‘We had a cold coming of it, and it was the worst time of the year for a voyage, and it was a long journey: the roads were deep and the weather was severe, and it was the dead of winter.’ Sorefooted and obstinate, the camels galled and sank on their backs in the melting snow. There were times when we wished we hadn’t. Terraces, and silken girls delivering sherbet were all part of the summer mansions on the hills. The camel men then began cursing and moaning and fleeing, claiming they were after their whiskey and women.

At the conclusion of the day, we chose to go through the night.

In the morning, we descended into a temperate valley, wet and green below the snow line, smelling of flora; with a rushing stream and a water-mill piercing the darkness, and three trees against the black sky, and an old white horse galloping away in the meadow; Once there were vine-leaves over the threshold, six hands dicing for bits of coin at an open door, and feet kick the empty wine-skins as we approached.

But there was no information, and so we continued, arriving at the hotel in the dark, which was not a minute too soon.
All of this happened a long time ago, as I recall, and I would do it again, but with a different approach.
Is it true that we were guided all the way there forBirth or Death?
We had evidence, and there was no doubt.

Our destinies were restored to us in these Kingdoms, but we were no longer at comfortable in the old dispensation, with a foreign people grasping their gods in their hands. I should feel relieved that another death has occurred.

Music

Keep it hidden in your heart by being grateful for it. This collection of coloring sheets, which includes Bible passages that are encouraging, can help you relax, unwind, and have some creative fun while keeping God’s Word hidden in your heart! As you color, you’ll be reminded of all the things you have to be thankful for, and you’ll be encouraged to nurture a spirit of thanksgiving through each section.

More Bible Trivia Resources

Over 150 tough questions and answers will put your Biblical trivia knowledge to the test. With the Ultimate Bible Quiz Book, you may learn about the most significant topics of the Bible in a fun and engaging way. It is also an excellent addition to your Bible study.

The Everything Kids Bible Trivia Book

This visually stunning new addition to the Everything Kids? series will transport children back to biblical times, when the Red Sea parted and Jesus was born. Packed with puzzles, games, and activities, this visually stunning new addition to the Everything Kids? series will transport children back to biblical times, when the Red Sea parted and Jesus was born.

The Complete Book of Bible Trivia

There will be approximately 4,500 questions separated into 14 thematic parts, and trivia enthusiasts will be tested on themes such as Crimes and Punishments, Military Matters, Things to Eat & Drink, and Matters of Life and Death.

The Christmas Story – All About The Wise Men

The arrival of the Three Wise Men; trips, political intrigue, and not a stable in sight.

The Story in the Bible

“Where is he who is born King of the Jews?” they inquired after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during Herod the king’s reign. Look, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem to inquire. Because we saw his star in the east and have came to adore him,” says the author. And when King Herod learned of it, he was concerned, as was the entire city of Jerusalem. And after collecting all of the top priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them as to where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea, for it is stated via the prophet, ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come out a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel,'” they explained.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, he told them to go and look for the tiny boy with diligence, and when they found him to bring me news so that I too might come and adore him.

And when they saw the star, they were filled with a tremendous amount of happiness.

They then presented him with presents, which included gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which they had opened from their riches. After receiving a warning in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they decided to take a different route back to their home country. Matthew 2:12 – 12:12

The History behind the Three Kings/Wise Men/Magi in the Christmas Story

Wise Men traveled to find Jesus after His birth, most likely from a territory that is now either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia or Yemen, or from an area that is now southern Turkey and northern Syria, to seek for Him after His birth. Despite the fact that they are commonly referred to as the “Three Kings,” the Bible does not specify how many there were or that they were kings. One possibility is that they were the Kings of Yemen, which would make sense given that the Kings of Yemen were Jews at the period.

They were, without a doubt, guys of considerable intellect.
‘ Magos is derived from the ancient Persian term ‘Magupati,’ which means “magupati’s throne.” A priest of a sect of ancient Persian faiths such as Zoroastrianism was known by this title, which was awarded to him by his peers.
In those days, both astronomy and astrology were considered to be part of the same overarching study (and’science,’ as it were), and they went hand in hand with one another.
They would have also been extremely wealthy and well-regarded in their own community as well as by individuals from other countries and religions who did not share their beliefs.
The origin of the new star in the sky is still a mystery, and there are several possibilities, including comets, supernovae, planets colliding, and even something supernatural!
The Magi would have become familiar with the predictions of an unique Jewish Savior (also known as the Messiah) from their time as captives in ancient Babylon some hundred years before the birth of Jesus.
They are frequently described in the following ways:

He has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green robe with green gems on it. Gaspar (or Caspar) also has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) He is known as the “King of Sheba.” Gaspar represents the Frankincense that was given to Jesus, and Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold mantle, represents the frankincense that was presented to Jesus. He is known as the “King of Arabia.” Melchior represents the gold that was presented to Jesus, while Balthazar, who has dark complexion, a black beard (or no beard!) and a purple cloak, depicts the silver that was brought to Jesus. He is the King of Tarsus/Macedonia as well as the King of Egypt. When Balthazar is presented before Jesus, he represents the gift of Myrrh that was delivered to Jesus.

Herod requested that the Wise Men locate Jesus and inform him of his whereabouts, not so that he might go and honor him as he had stated, but so that he could murder him! He interpreted Jesus’ words as if he were a new King who could come and usurp his position of authority. Because Jesus would have been between the ages of one and two when the Wise Men discovered them, it is likely that they were living in a typical dwelling, most likely in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, when the Wise Men discovered them.

Then they presented him with their presents. Although the presents appear to be weird to give to a baby, Christians believe that they had the following symbolic meanings:

Historically, gold has been connected with kings, and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. Frankincense is a fragrant oil that is occasionally used in church services to indicate that people are willing to worship Jesus. It is a perfume that is applied to dead bodies in order to make them smell pleasant. According to Christian belief, it demonstrated that Jesus would suffer and die.

All of the presents are also from the Arabian Peninsula, which is located east of Israel. A dream forewarned the wise men that they should not go to Herod and inform him where Jesus was, preventing Herod from carrying out his heinous plot to kidnap and kill Jesus.

When Did the Three Wise Men Visit Jesus?

The sequence of events that occurred between the time of Christ’s birth and the time He went to live in Nazareth is hotly debated. The time of the Magi’s arrival is the most contentious issue, and this is where the debate begins. If this can be known, it may be possible to schedule the other events with relative ease. The arrival of the Magi was traditionally dated to the 6th of January, or the 13th day after the birth of Jesus, according to ancient and contemporary traditions. In that case, assuming that the star heralded His birth and that they departed as soon as it appeared, they would have been on their trip for just around 10 days at that point.

It is currently commemorated in both the Greek and Roman Churches with reference to the two preceding events, with the adoration of the Magi being the most significant of these events in both churches.
The tradition, on the other hand, did not command widespread acceptance.
Others have speculated that the date of January 6th was chosen only for the sake of convenience, rather than having any actual chronological relation to the event.
Secondly, Jesus and His parents returned to Nazareth immediately after the presentation, indicating that the presentation must have taken place prior to their visit (Luke 2; see also Mark 2).
However, none of these arguments is conclusive.
Many of the fathers believe that they discovered Him still in the manger, or stall, which may be correct if the manger was in a cave at the back of the home.
However, this is a purely arbitrary interpretation.
He doesn’t tell anything about the Magi, about the slaughter of the children, or about the journey into Egypt.

The following is an adaptation of The Life of Our Lord on the Earth by Samuel James Andrews. Credit for the photo: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Denis-Art Photo Credit:

The Birth of Jesus

Matthew chapters 1 and 2, and Luke chapters 1 and 2.

An Angel Visits Mary

The angel Gabriel appeared to Maryand said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Youwill conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. Hewill be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.” (TNIV)

A young Jewish woman named Mary was approached by an angel named Gabriel one day some 2,000 years ago. The angel was named Gabriel. The angel Gabriel informed Mary that she would be the mother of a boy named Jesus, who would be the Son of God! Despite the fact that she was befuddled and concerned by the unexpected news, Mary had confidence in God and answered, “I am the Lord’s servant; let it be as you say.”

Journey to Bethlehem

Mary and her future husband, Joseph, resided in a town named Nazareth around the time of Jesus’ birth. In order to register for a census ordered by the Romanemperor, Caesar Augustus, they were required to go to Bethlehem, which they did. Both Nazareth and Bethlehem are located inside the borders of what is now known as Israel. The distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem is approximately 65 miles (105 kilometers), and the journey probably took them many days. In Bethlehem, when Joseph and Mary arrived, there was no place for them to stay because the inn had already been fully booked.

It’s likely that there was fresh hay on the floor, which they utilized as beds.

Because there was no cot available, they placed the newborn Jesus in a manger, which was a food dish for animals.

Shepherds Visit Jesus

Jesus was born in a stable and laidto sleep in a manger. The shepherds came to see firsthand the things theangel had told them.

Some shepherds were out in the fields near Bethlehem on that particular night, keeping an eye on their flocks of sheep. They were visited by an angel who brought them the joyful news that a Savior, the Messiah, had been born to them. The shepherds were instructed by an angel that they would be able to discover Jesus laying in a manger. All of a sudden, a large number of angels arrived and began to sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among mankind!” After a hasty journey into Bethlehem, the shepherds discovered Jesus in the manger, just as the angel had said.

Wise Men Visit Jesus

Wise men from the East came to worshipJesus, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

A few years later, wise men from eastern countries, known as ormagi, witnessed a star in the sky that heralded the birth of a new emperor. They traveled to Judea, the region around the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, to worship Jesus, the new king, and to learn more about him. The king of Judea was a guy by the name of Herod. He summoned the wise men to a conference and instructed them to track out the new king so that he may pay his respects to him as well. The wise men proceeded on their journey to Bethlehem, where they followed the star until it was precisely above the home where Jesus was being raised.

They gave presents to Jesus in the form of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which were considered to be among the greatest things in the ancient world.

In order to produce a delicious scent, Frankincense was burned, and Myrrh was used to manufacture luxury perfume. Following their encounter with Jesus, the wise men had a dream in which they were cautioned not to return to King Herod, prompting them to choose an alternate path home.

Journey to Egypt

When King Herod informed the three wise men that he desired to worship Jesus, he was lying. He was concerned that this new “king” would usurp his position as monarch of Judea. He was unaware that Jesus would grow up to be the king of God’s spiritual kingdom, rather than the monarch of Judea, as he had assumed. What Herod actually desired was to track down and kill Jesus! When Herod discovered that the three wise men had not returned to inform him where to find Jesus, he became enraged. He dispatched his men to Bethlehem with the orders to murder any infants under the age of two, believing that Jesus would almost likely be among those slaughtered.

Joseph relocated Mary and Jesus to Egypt, where they would be safe from Herod’s persecution.

Question

Is it true that Jesus was born on Christmas Day? We commemorate the birth of Jesus on Christmas, yet no one is certain of the precise day of Jesus’ birth, or even the year in which Jesus was born. In 336 A.D., the Western Church, centered in Rome, chose December 25 as the day to commemorate “Christ’s Mass,” which means “Christ’s sacrifice.” The Eastern Church picked the sixth of January. The holiday was dubbed Epiphany, which literally translates as “appearance.” The time between December 25 and January 6 became known as the Twelve Days of Christmas as a result of this tradition.

Lessons

The stories of Jesus’ birth link to both the past and the future. The circumstancesof Jesus’ birth show He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies of a Messiah (Isaiah7:14, Matthew 1:23). (Isaiah7:14, Matthew 1:23). He was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6). (Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:5-6). He wascalled out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15). (Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15). Jesus was born in a stable – the most humble of circumstances. Similarly, Jesusshowed us how God’s favor rests with the poor and downtrodden.

Later, the Gentiles would make up most of the Christianworld.

Where was Jesus when the wise men found Him and gave Him gifts?

Where was Jesus when the three wise men came upon Him and presented Him with gifts? I do not believe this occurred at the time of His birth since they had to move after they had stopped to meet Herod.

Bible Answer:

The traditional nativity scenes seen on Christmas cards, paintings, and in-church displays portray Jesus, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, and three wise men, among other people and animals. However, this is incorrect since the wise men did not pay a visit to the Christ on the day of His birth. The three kings of the East arrived many years after Jesus’ birth. Presented here is a section of the Christmas narrative from the gospel of Matthew.

In the days of Herod the king, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, a group of magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, proclaiming. Matthew 2:1 (NASB) This text informs us that Jesus had already been born when the magi, often known as the wise men, came in Jerusalem.

Wise Men Arrive In Jerusalem

When the three wise men arrived in Jerusalem, they inquired as to the location of Jesus’ birth. The following is the response they received. It is at Bethlehem of Judea that the prophet prophesied: “AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER, WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.” (Isaiah 9:6) Matthew 2:5-6 (KJV) (NASB) This upset King Herod, who secretly convened a meeting with the three wise men. The wise men were asked how long ago the star had shone, and Herod then informed them that Jesus might be located in Bethlehem, according to tradition.

Then Herod secretly summoned the magi, who were able to establish the precise moment the star shone for him.

Matthew 2:9 (KJV) (NASB)

Where Was Jesus When the Wise Men Found Him?

The star was out of the ordinary since a typical star does not travel in front of a person and then come to a complete halt. A regular star does not appear to move since it is billions of miles away in the sky and so appears to be stationary. These three wise men were guided to Jesus’ home by a particular, divinely designed light that shone from the sky above them. And when they entered the home, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they dropped to their knees and worshiped Him, and they gave Him with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh from their treasuries, which He accepted.

The Greek term for house is isoikia, which means “household.” It simply refers to a house or a residence.
and not in a private residence In the meantime, she gave birth to her first-born son, whom she wrapped in cloths and placed at a manger since there was no room for them in the inn.
It indicates that the wise men arrived between one and two years after the king’s death.
The solution is found in Matthew 2:16, which is the Bible.
We learn in Matthew 2:16 (NASB) that King Herod slaughtered all of the infants who were two years old or younger in order to gain power.

Why? Because the wise men had informed him that they had been monitoring the star for almost two years, he decided to investigate. Because of this, it may be concluded that the wise men did not pay a visit to Jesus when He was resting in the manger at the inn.

Conclusion:

As a result, the wise men came about one to two years after the birth of Jesus. It is likely that one year is a more accurate estimate because the wise men required time to journey from the east to find Jesus. Nevertheless, Matthew makes it plain that Jesus was already in a dwelling when the three wise men arrived. God had arranged for these wise men to pay a visit to Jesus. Although the Bible never explains why this occurred, it does serve as a demonstration of God’s faithfulness and grace!

The shepherds visit the baby Jesus

Luke 2:15-20 is the reading for December 25, 2017. (Mass at dawn) The Roman emperor Caesar Augustus made the decision one day to conduct a census of all of the people who lived in the areas under his jurisdiction. The town of Nazareth in Galilee, which was located in a region governed by the Romans at the time, was home to a man called Joseph who lived there at the time. Because of this, Joseph and his pregnant wife, Mary, made arrangements to travel to their ancestral home in order to be regarded as a family.

The journey had been lengthy, and Mary was nearing the end of her pregnancy at the time.
While she and Joseph were in Bethlehem, Mary went into labor.
She became a mother for the first time and gave birth to her firstborn son.
While all of this was going on, shepherds were out laboring in the fields around Bethlehem, working through the night to feed their flocks.
The shepherds were startled when an angel of the Lord came to them.
“Let us therefore proceed to Bethlehem to see this event that has occurred, which the Lord has made known to us,” they said.
When they realized that the angel’s message had been received correctly, they spread the news throughout Bethlehem.

MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE: A1 in Luke 2Q. Which city did Joseph and Mary visit on their journey? What was the name of the person who appeared to the shepherds in the field? Who among us was not delighted to learn of the birth of Jesus? (Hint: it’s in Matthew 2) The answer is King Herod.

Bible Accent: The Magi search for Jesus

The shepherds were not the only ones who came to see Jesus after his birth; there were a number of others as well. It is revealed in Matthew 2 that there were Magi from the East who were on a mission to find the child Messiah. They were looking up at the sky when they noticed a star and decided to follow it in the hopes of locating him. The Magi made a pit stop in Jerusalem to ask some questions of the locals. “Can you tell us where the newborn ruler of the Jews is?” the Magi inquired. “We caught a glimpse of his growing star and have come to pay our respects to him.” The Magi were informed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and so they proceeded on their trip toward the city.

Saint for Today: St. Andre Bessette

Andre Bessette was born in Canada in 1845 and died there in 1937. He immigrated to the United States as a young man and lived and worked there for three years. In 1870, he returned to Canada and joined the Congregation of Holy Cross, which is located near Montreal. He was involved in a variety of activities for his neighborhood, including gardening and serving as a doorman. St. Joseph served as a model for him, and he established a healing mission that was extremely successful. In 1904, he relocated to Montreal to assist his congregation with a construction project, and he remained there for the remainder of his life.

Puzzle

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Meet the 3 Wise Men Who Visited Jesus

The Three Kings, often known as the Magi, are only referenced once in the Gospel of Matthew, in verses 1-12. Because so little information is provided in the Bible concerning these guys, we have to rely on oral tradition and guesswork to form our understanding of them. The Bible does not specify how many wise men there were, but it is usually considered that there were three due to the fact that they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which were all given to Jesus.

The Three Kings

The Magi were both real and symbolic at the same time. As actual beings, the three kings validated old prophesies about Jesus being the Messiah, and as symbols, they demonstrated that he had come to redeem all people, wealthy and poor, educated and uneducated, from all parts of the world, including their own. Compared to the shepherds who had visited Jesus shortly after his birth, these affluent tourists represented the polar opposite end of the social and economic spectrum. Many individuals in the Bible are unidentified. Ultimately, they all point to Jesus Christ, who is the physical incarnation of God’s love for humanity. The Bible is a book about Jesus, and the title “Wise Men” conveys a message to the reader. Wise individuals see their need for a Savior and actively strive to discover him in their lives. Some individuals, such as Herod the Great, are foolish enough to reject Jesus and even strive to destroy him.

In both reality and metaphor, the Magi were present. Three kings validated old prophesies about Jesus being the Messiah, and they served as symbols that he had come to redeem all people, wealthy and poor, smart and unschooled, from every nation on the face of the planet. Compared to the shepherds who had seen Jesus shortly after his birth, these affluent pilgrims represented the polar other end of the social and economic spectrum. Many individuals in the Bible are not identified by their first names.

A message may be found in the title “Wise Men,” which refers to the book of the Bible as a book about Jesus.

In their recognition of their need for a Savior, wise people go forth in search of him. Some people, such as Herod the Great, are foolish enough to reject Jesus and even attempt to destroy him.

Three Gifts From Three Kings

Symbolizing Christ’s identity and purpose, the gifts of the Three Kings are made of gold for a king, incense for God, and myrrh, which was used to anoint the dead. Ironically, according to the Gospel of John, Nicodemus brought a combination of 75 pounds of aloe and myrrh to anoint Jesus’ body after his crucifixion, which was afterwards burned. God showed his appreciation for the wise men by sending them a dream instructing them to take a different path home and not to report back to King Herod.

The Three Kings in the Company of Herod.

Strengths

The Three Kings were considered to be among the most intelligent individuals of their day. When they learned that the Messiah was about to be born, they arranged an expedition to track him down, following a star that led them to Bethlehem along the way. Despite the fact that they were in a distant place with a different culture and religion, they embraced Jesus as their Savior.

Life Lessons

When we search for God with true resolve, we shall eventually come across him. Instead of hiding from us, he wishes to establish an intimate contact with each one of us. Thesewise menshowed Jesus the reverence and adoration that only God is worthy of, kneeling before him and adoring him. Jesus is not just a wonderful teacher and an amazing person, as many people now claim, but he is also the Son of the Living God, according to the Bible. Following their encounter with Jesus, the Three Kings did not return the way they had come.

Names of the Three Kings

Matthew does not tell anything about the ancestry of these guests. Gaspar, or Casper, Melchior, and Balthasar are among of the names that have been given to them by mythology over the years. The name Balthasar has a Persian ring to it. When Daniel prophesied about the Messiah or “Anointed One,” it is likely that these men were familiar with Daniel’s prophesy concerning the Messiah or “Anointed One.” Daniel 9:24-27 (New International Version). The name “Magi” refers to a religious caste in Persian culture, but at the time of the writing of this Gospel, the term was used more broadly to apply to astrologers, seers, and fortunetellers.

Nonbiblical sources began referring to them as kings about 200 AD, probably in response to a promise in Psalm 72:11, which states, “May all kings knee down to him, and all nations serve him.” (NIV) Because they were following a star, it is possible that they were royal astronomers and advisors to kings.

Key Verses

Matthew 2:1-2 (KJV) Following Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, Judea, during the reign of King Herod, Magi from the East traveled to Jerusalem and inquired, “Who is this child?” “Where has the one who was born king of the Jews vanished to?

We came to him because we spotted his star in the east and wanted to adore him.” (NIV)

Three Wise Men: What were their names?

It’s true that we don’t know who or what the magi were since the Bible doesn’t tell us. In truth, the Bible is quiet on the number of wise men that came to visit Jesus. Gaspar, Balthasar, and Melchior are three names that have been given to the three wise men who came to seek and honor the newborn Jesus according to traditional legend. Browse:Frequently Asked Bible Questions Where Was Jesus Born? – Where Was Jesus Born? When was Jesus’ birth commemorated?

The magi

The three wise men, sometimes known as magi, were individuals from a variety of social and educational backgrounds. The term magician, which we use in English, derives from the same origin. These wise men, on the other hand, were not magicians in the modern sense of sleight-of-hand entertainers, as is commonly understood. These individuals were of noble birth, well-educated, affluent, and important in society. They were philosophers and advisors to monarchs, well-versed in all of the ancient East’s knowledge and philosophy.

They appeared to have studied the Hebrew Scriptures and discovered a clear record of the truth contained within them.

They must have paid particular attention to the Messianic prophesies of the Old Testament, and among them were the words of Balaam, who prophesied, “A Star shall spring out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel.” (Numbers 24:17, New King James Version) They were clearly aware of the prophesy of Micah: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, while you are a little town amid the multitudes of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One who shall be ruler over Israel” (Micah 5:2, NKJV; see also Matthew 2:5, 6).

They were undoubtedly also aware of and comprehended Daniel’s time prophesy concerning the appearance of the Messiah (see Daniel 9:25, 26), and they came to the conclusion that His arrival was imminent.

The wise men returned to the precious scrolls once more, this time impressed by their significance.

They were like Abraham in that they did not know where they were going at first, but they followed the guiding light as it guided them on their journey.

Gifts of the three wise men

Several factors contributed to the development of the legend of the three wise men, including the fact that the Bible specifies three presents, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, in Matthew 2:11.

The Bible, on the other hand, does not specify how many wise men made the journey to see the baby Christ. Because of the imagery in Isaiah 60:3, the incorrect notion that they were also kings developed.

How many wise men visited Jesus?

How many wise men or Magi traveled to adore Jesus, and how many came back? It is true that there are numerous myths surrounding the birth of Jesus, such as the belief that there were only three wise men, however many of these myths are simply not genuine and do not appear in the Bible. Many aspects of Christ’s nativity are steeped in tradition, folklore, and tradition-bound practices and beliefs. This is the case with the widely held belief that just three wise men or Magi (important persons from the kingdom of Parthia) paid a visit to Jesus.

Despite the fact that they are frequently well-intentioned, such portrayals simply serve to increase the uncertainty and misunderstandings surrounding our Savior.

This is nothing more than a wild guess at the moment.

Adoration of the Three Wise Men (wise men) Fra Angelico was a painter who lived in the 15th century.

This section of the narrative does not follow any custom or tradition.

After the birth of Jesus, Matthew is the only Gospel writer who recounts their going a long distance to visit him shortly after his birth.

Herod the Great sent a messenger to find out exactly where Jesus was hiding.

After leaving Jerusalem without receiving a response, the wise men come upon a star that directs them to the location they need to go.

(Note that Jesus was NOT visited in a barn or manger!) (Matthew 2:11).

According to this source, not only is there no specific tradition surrounding this subject, but there is also no such thing as a tradition in general “Some (Catholic church) Fathers talk of three Magi, according to their beliefs.

Tradition has it that the number twelve is preferred in the Orient.” According to Stephen M.

Collins’ book “Lost Ten Tribes of Israel. Found!” the significance of the journey undertaken to worship the King of Kings would have made it likely that several, if not a delegation of twelve or more ‘wise men,’ would have made the trip to Judea to worship the King of Kings (page 381).