The Birth of Jesus

The references for the dates referred to can be found at Daniel’s Timeline For Jesus.

Virtualreligion.net/iho/Sabbath.html contains all the references to Old Covenant ceremonial law

Our Father’s plan of salvation had many enemies. Jesus had to come into the world, become man, be born quietly, secretly, to avoid all the enemies who would kill Him. Satan, King Herod, the Roman rulers, the Sadducees, and the Pharisees in the synagogue hierarchy, would destroy, kill anyone who would threaten their power, cause them problems. Many of the Jewish believers were looking for a mighty king, would not accept, nor protect, a humble person who would bring His love into the world. Yet our Father’s plan was made before we were created, was perfect in bringing Jesus into the world to save us.

This message is a continuation of “God Becomes Man”, where the Son of God came down from Heaven and became man to save us from our sins. Jesus became both the Son of God, and the Son of Man, when He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary. At this time only Mary knew of this great miracle happening within her, for she alone was told of this miracle by the angel Gabriel. And Mary revealed this secret to no one.

Mary was in a quandary, not quite certain what to do, not certain who to talk to, not certain about what to say. We do not know if she knew, felt, exactly when the Spirit conceived the baby Jesus in her. But through her strong faith in the Lord she knew she had the little baby Jesus in her womb. If she told the truth, that she had the Son of God in her womb, no one would believe her. Not Joseph, not even her parents or best friend. Mary could be stoned to death for blasphemy, and would receive the same punishment for being engaged to be married and having another’s child in her womb. At the very least she would be put away, looked down upon, and she did not want that for the baby she was carrying. And she would not lie.

Yet her trust in the Lord also made her remember what the angel told her about Elizabeth. The miracle the Lord had given her, conceiving a son when she was past her child bearing years. She probably met with Elizabeth during the fall Feasts in Jerusalem and was told the story about an angel announcing Elizabeth’s conception to her husband Zachariah. She could talk with Elizabeth, she would understand. The sooner she could see Elizabeth the better.

Mary hurriedly went to the hill country around Jerusalem to visit Elizabeth, who was over six months along with John. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, John jumped for joy in Elizabeth’s womb, for he had already been given the Spirit. Through the Spirit John had recognized Jesus, the Son of God, in Mary’s womb. The Spirit then filled Elizabeth, allowing her to know Mary’s great secret also. Mary was the mother of Jesus, the promised Messiah. Mary was relieved that the Spirit through Elizabeth and John had confirmed what she believed in her heart, that she was pregnant with Jesus.

*At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Lk 1:39-45 NIV+

At last someone else knew about the great miracle which was happening within her. Mary could at last visit with someone about the feelings, the joy she had held within her heart. She could at last tell someone about the love, the praise she felt for her great God.

*And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever." Lk 1:46-55 NKJV+

John’s Birth – Jewish Month of Nissan (March/April) before the 10^th day, 6 BC

Mary stayed with Elizabeth through John’s birth, probably his circumcision, and maybe through Passover before returning home. Mary not only received much needed companionship from Elizabeth, but learned everything she would have to know about birthing a baby. This would be a task she would soon have to do with only the help of Joseph. She learned about the care of a newborn baby, and the correct ceremonial rites for herself and Jesus after He was born. She also was comforted with great love her God had in giving this son to Elizabeth. There was no question in her soul, that the Lord would take care of her, the mother of His Son.

At this time it still seems only Mary and Elizabeth knew about Mary being with child. When John was circumcised and Zechariah was filled with the Spirit his prophesy indicates he did not know about Jesus, his emphasis was only on his son John becoming a great prophet who would precede the Lord. Zechariah’s Song Luke 1:67-80

Mary left because she was around 3 months pregnant, and was starting to show. She did not want any to know she was pregnant until Joseph knew about her situation. She would go home, meet with Joseph, and trust the Lord to help him understand what had happened.

*Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. Lk 1:57 NASB+

*And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. Lk 1:56 KJV

When Mary returned home, and even with the loose clothing she wore, it became noticeable that she was pregnant. In some way her pregnancy was privately learned by Joseph. It could have been noticed by her mother and her parents who then had a talk with Joseph. Perhaps when Joseph greeted Mary upon her return he noticed her condition. Or Mary could have talked with Joseph, telling him she was with child, maybe the good news of the Son of God in her womb. Yet overwhelmed him with a story he could not accept.

Joseph not wanting to expose her to public disgrace planned to quietly divorce her.

*This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. Matt 1:18-19 NIV+

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream telling him that Mary’s baby was conceived by the Spirit. The angel told Joseph to name the child Jesus for He would save us from our sins. And Joseph was to take Mary home as his wife.

Note - Our Heavenly Father’s designed the Jewish engagement customs for the birth of Jesus. It was customary for a man and woman to be betrothed (espoused, pledged, engaged) to each other for a period of time before they were married, often a year. This commitment allowed the husband to be, Joseph, at a time of his choosing, to bring his wife to be Mary, home to live with him until they were married. The pledge to be married bound them together as though they were married, and they were often referred to as husband and wife before they were actually married. In the Matt 1:19 verse above, Matthew calls Joseph Mary’s husband while they were still betrothed, before they were married. Likewise Matthew is referring to Joseph taking Mary home as his betrothed wife, not his married wife in Matt 1:20+24. For Luke tells us in Lk 2:5 (2^nd verse in next paragraph) that when Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem to be registered she was still betrothed to him, they had not been married. Mary and Joseph were probably married after her purification from having a son was completed (33 days).

The customs at that time allowed a betrothed couple to live together though they were not to have sexual relations until after they were married. Later on this would confirm to believers that Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus, her first born. This belief was strengthened by the fact Mary and Joseph were righteous believers, would not have sexual relations until they were married, and they were not married until after Jesus was born. Joseph was not the father of Jesus, the Holy Spirit conceived Jesus in the womb of Mary. Yet at the time Mary became pregnant she was accepted within the Jewish community, for Joseph brought her home as his betrothed wife, and they would soon be married. This allowed Jesus to be hidden within a Jewish family until the time was right for Him to begin His ministry.

The Father had now told Joseph the secret of His Son becoming man to save us. Joseph now knew along with Mary, Elizabeth, and the baby John in her womb.

But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matt 1:20-25 NIV+

Bethlehem is where the Messiah, Jesus, would be born, as prophesized by Micah. The Heavenly Father used a Roman census to bring Joseph and Mary to the town of Bethlehem. Joseph and his unmarried betrothed wife Mary were both descendants of King David, both were required to register at David’s birth place in Bethlehem.

*"But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity." Mi 5:2 NASB+

*And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. Lk 2:1-5 NKJV+

Jesus Birth

It is almost certain that Jesus was born in the Jewish calendar month of Ethanim/Tishri (Sept/Oct) 5 BC.

Very probable Jesus was born on Atonement Day in the Jewish calendar month of Tishri (Sept/Oct), on the 10^th day, 5BC.

Tishri though it was the 7^th month in progression of the Jewish ceremonial year, it was the first Jewish calendar month of the year, the first day of Tishri brings in the New Year. The Day of Atonement was celebrated on Tishri 10, followed by the ceremonial law required Feast of Gathering (Tabernacles) from Tishri 15-22. These fall celebrations were celebrated at the end of the harvest season, which made it a good time for the census. The people would not be as busy, would have money from their crops to pay for any taxes levied.

Joseph would take Mary and combine the requirements to register at Bethlehem, with the Feast of Tabernacles at Jerusalem into one trip. The trip from Nazareth to Jerusalem would take around 4 days and another half day to and from Bethlehem.

The trip would be especially hard for Mary as she was very close to giving birth and because of her condition it might cause the trip to take closer to a week to complete. Joseph may also have planned a longer stay in the Jerusalem area, to remain there until the ceremonial requirements for Mary and Jesus, which had to be done at the temple in Jerusalem, had been completed. Joseph being a carpenter could find some odd jobs, and this would be easier, less trouble, them making an additional trip between Nazareth and Jerusalem.

*So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Lk 2:6-7 NKJV+

We do not know how the situation was created, but we know what the situation was. Joseph and Mary had traveled to Bethlehem on Tishri 9, the day before Atonement Day. The Jewish day began and ended at sundown in the afternoon, nighttime was first part of the day, then the daytime, opposite of our time today. At sundown when the special Sabbath day would begin, all of its ceremonial laws would come into effect. All were to pray and praise God for forgiving their sins. There was a required fast for all except children and women who were in labor or had just given birth. No one was to work, business could be not be discussed, so one could no longer rent a house. They could not walk more than 500 hundred yards away from the town. The Inn was full of those who came to register, of those who would need a room to live in over the special Sabbath. And Mary probably had started labor. Mary and Joseph were stranded in Bethlehem without a place to stay, and would be until the special Sabbath was over. The inn keeper could only offer them a stable, where animal’s hay was kept and fed to the animals in a manger.

*It is a sabbath of rest for you, and you must deny yourselves. From the evening of the ninth day of the month until the following evening you are to observe your sabbath." Lev 23:26-32 NIV+

*And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. Lk 2:1-7 KJV

The Father’s plan for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem in a stable had been completed. Jesus would always be symbolically tied with the lamb. Lamb was a term that could refer to either a young sheep or goat. An animal which was continually sacrificed to remove sins, in anticipation of a Savior who would die once to forgive all believers’ sins forever. Jesus would be born where they were born, as a symbol that He would replace them.

*'Your lamb shall be an unblemished male a year old; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Ex 12:5 NASB+

His Father would also have His Son born into the world humbly, as a servant. In a stable, a place where Jesus could be born quietly, safely, where His enemies would never suspect a King to be born. And where Jesus could fulfill His Father’s purpose in having His people celebrate the Day of Atonement. God’s children should be looking for the promised Messiah who would be a substitute offering for their sins, a scapegoat who would be sacrificed. Who would die, spiritually go to Hell in place of sinners, as atonement for all of their sins.

On the Day of Atonement two goats would be yearly offered up to forgive the sins of all believers. The first goat would be slaughtered, his blood offered up as a sacrifice. The second goat would have the blood of the sacrificed animals put on it, would have the sins of the world put on its head. This goat would then be under the care of a man, who would release it in the desert. This would allow the goat to carry the sins of all into a solitary place.

*Then he is to take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. He is to cast lots for the two goats--one lot for the Lord and the other for the scapegoat. Aaron shall bring the goat whose lot falls to the Lord and sacrifice it for a sin offering. But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to be used for making atonement by sending it into the desert as a scapegoat. Lev 16:7-10 NIV+

*"When Aaron has finished making atonement for the Most Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting and the altar, he shall bring forward the live goat. He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites--all their sins--and put them on the goat's head. He shall send the goat away into the desert in the care of a man appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a solitary place; and the man shall release it in the desert. Lev 16:20-22 NIV+

Jesus was released from His mother’s womb on that quiet, holy night. He would be under the care of His Heavenly Father, until He would come out of the desert to begin His ministry. Then He would die as the first goat did, sacrificed once for the forgiveness of our sins forever. He deposited all of our sins, all the sins that would ever be committed in a solitary place, in Hell. There would no longer be any need for either goat, for any other lamb, for any other sacrifice.

*But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. Heb 10:3-4 NKJV+

*Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Heb 10:9-10 NIV+

Jesus was born on a silent night for it was a special Sabbath and God’s people were not allowed to do any work, any pleasure, but pray and give praise to their God. On a holy night, for the Day of Atonement was considered the holiest day of the Jewish year. It was a special Sabbath day, when once a year all the believers would have their sins forgiven. It would be the day a Messiah was brought into the world to forgive our sins, make us holy forever.

*The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord." You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the Lord your God. Lev 23:26-28 NASB+.

*And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Lk 2:8-12 NIV+

The shepherds usually would have been spread out in the fields with their flocks. But this night they would have gathered together their sheep early, probably at a site close to town. They would have done all of their chores before sundown, while they were still allowed to work. They would have bundled the hay so they could feed it on the Sabbath. They would have just eaten a large meal before sundown, before the fast would begin.

When the angel of the Lord appeared to them they were probably gathered together around a campsite, which would be nearby, close to the stable where Jesus was born. The angel simply announced that Christ, which means Messiah or the Anointed One, had been born. We do not know how many shepherds there were, but they were scared at the appearance of the angel.

The shepherds were poor, of lowly status, and deemed undesirable by the prominent. Yet Jesus came to save the poor, the downtrodden, He would become the great Shepherd. Now a few shepherds also knew that Jesus, our Savior, was born this night.

*And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" Lk 2:13-14 NKJV+

Then there was a multitude of angels who spoke words of praise to God, wished peace to all on earth. The angels did not sing, the angels made the greatest announcement ever, and then quickly went back into the heavenly realms. There was not a great show in the heavens above. The angels did not physically appear at the stable, to either Mary or Joseph, or to anyone else. For if there were reliable, respected people close by who would then see this event, the news would come back to Christ’s enemies. King Herod, the leaders of the Sanhedrin, would hear of it, putting a Babe born in a manager at risk.

*When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, "Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Lk 2:15-20 NASB+

God’s plan of salvation would always be first for the Jew, then the gentile. These Jewish shepherds would be the first to come and worship Jesus, the first to announce that the Messiah had been born. Ceremonial laws would allow them to walk to town, for their campsite was within 500 yards, approximately 1/3 mile of the town’s boundaries. They might have told the story to family, friends, possibly at the inn, or just announced it out loud as they walked through the empty streets. There would not be many people around or accepting company on a special Sabbath. But those who heard it, wondered about what was said. Yet because it was the Day of Atonement, a time of praying and praising God, and at night, no one would venture out to the manger to see if it was true.

The good news came from lowly, undistinguished shepherds. Not many would take the shepherds’ story seriously, Jesus’ enemies probably would not even hear about it. It was not yet time for them to know about the Messiah, the King who had come.

The Father gave Jesus earthly parents who obeyed His laws. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day and presented to the Lord at the temple in Jerusalem on the fortieth day, when Mary’s ceremonial cleansing was completed. These ceremonial requirements, though out of Jesus’ control as a baby, would have broken the ceremonial laws if they had not been kept.

*On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.” Lk 2:21-24 NIV+

*On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. Lev 12:1-4 NIV+

When Jesus was presented at the temple two older Jewish believers were introduced to Him. The Spirit let Simeon know Jesus was the Messiah, and Anna, a faithful prophetess, also recognized Jesus as the promised Savior. Simeon and Anna were old, though they told others who Jesus was, their knowledge was not readily accepted by others. Now a few more Jewish believers know about the Messiah.

*So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, Lk 2:27-31 NKJV+

*and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Lk 2:37-38 NIV+

Simeon prophesied that the gentiles would also receive salvation through Jesus. All that Jesus would do amazed His mother and Father. When Simeon saw Jesus he took him in his arms and praised God saying:

*“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Lk 2:29-32 KJV

*And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him. Lk 2:33 NASB+

We don’t know how soon after Jesus was born that the Magi came following the star, came to worship the new King. The family would have to stay near Jerusalem until Mary had been purified and Jesus presented, which would be 40 days. And it would be before King Herod died presumably in the spring of 4 BC, around 1 1/2 years from Christ’s birth.

*Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." Matt 2:1-2 NASB+

One of Christ’s enemies, King Herod, now knew about Jesus, now knew the area in which the baby was living. Knew when the star had been seen, an approximate time which would indicate the age of the new King. Herod tried to trick the Magi into giving him a specific location, lying to them he said he wanted to worship the new King. Yet he really wanted to kill him.

*When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matt 2:3 NKJV+

*Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him. Matt 2: 7-8 NASB+

Simeon’s prophesy soon became a reality, as Jesus was presented to the gentiles, the Magi from the east. His words, “a light to lighten the Gentiles,” came true, for a light led the Gentiles to find their Savior. A light from a star which only the Gentiles, the Magi saw, otherwise Herod would have found Jesus and killed Him. It doesn’t matter whether it was a special star created by the Father for only the Magi to see. Or the magi, who were astronomers, alone knew what star to look for in the heavens above. Either way they were led to Jesus, they found the Babe they were looking for. The Jewish shepherds had already worshipped Jesus, it was now the Gentiles turn to come and worship their King.

*When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. Matt 2:9 NKJV+

The Magi visited Jesus at the house where Joseph had moved his family, where the family was now living. Joseph was unable to find any accommodations the night Jesus was born, especially a house, for it was a special Sabbath, no business could be done. But once the Sabbath was over, Joseph quickly found a house that was close and easy for them to move in. Any looking for them in the stable would no longer find them there.

The Magi, the gentiles had great faith, for they fell down on their knees and worshipped Jesus their Messiah and King.

*And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. Matt 2:ptn11 NKJV+

We know there were at least two Magi, but the exact number is unknown. There probably were more magi and certainly servants needed in the caravan to travel this distance. The expensive gifts the Magi gave Jesus were symbolic. Gold was given because Jesus was our King, frankincense because He would become our priest, myrrh because His death would save us from our sins. These gifts would cover the expenses of the family when they had to flee into Egypt to save Jesus. The Magi were warned by God to go back home by a different route, avoiding King Herod. So Herod would not know where to find Jesus.

The Magi from the east now knew and believed in the New King, would bring their knowledge back to a Gentile world which was far away. They would have to wait to receive this Savior, until He was given to the Jews and then rejected by them. Until the Apostle Paul would bring the good new to the Gentiles, the same message of a new born King these Magi had seen, had believed in.

*Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Matt 2:ptn11-12 NASB+

After the Magi had left, the Lord warned Joseph in a dream to take his family and go into Egypt. King Herod knew about the child, that the family lived around Bethlehem. He would not give up in his search for the New King, would use every means to kill Him. This would fulfill the prophesy of Hosea, out of Egypt the Son of God was called.

*Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him." When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Matt 2:13-15 NKJV+

*When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." Matt 2:16-18 NIV+

When the Magi did not inform King Herod where Jesus was, Herod’s only option was to take care of this matter himself. He would kill all male children 2 years and younger in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. This evil deed would will fulfill Jeremiah’s prophesy of mothers’ weeping for their lost children.

Herod, those advising him, believed they had killed the Messiah among all the children that were slaughtered. King Herod’s heirs, those who would follow him as king, would always be enemies of Jesus, of those who believed in him. Never knowing Jesus was the babe they thought they had killed. Never knowing the Father had saved His Son when He was a child by sending Him to Egypt.

An angel told Joseph when it was safe for the family to return from Egypt to Israel. But God protected His Son from an evil ruler, fulfilled prophesy, by having Joseph take the family to the city of Nazareth instead. Jesus would return from obscurity in Egypt to obscurity in Nazareth. Where He would incorrectly be known as a son of Joseph, and be called a Nazarene.

*But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child's life are dead." Matt 2:19-20 NKJV+

*But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: "He shall be called a Nazarene." Matt 2:22-23 NASB+

Mary and Joseph would always know that Jesus was the Son of God. Yet there were few other people who knew this when Jesus was a child, as He matured into a man. This was done by design, for the Father wanted to protect His Son, until it was time for Him to be presented to the world. Not until John began preparing the way for the Lord, not until Jesus began His ministry. When He was ceremonially washed by John, anointed by the Spirit, and announced as His Son by the Father, would many know He was the Messiah, the Son of God who became man to save us.

*He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. Jn 1:10 KJV

Today at Christmas time we celebrate our God’s great love for us, the miracle of the Son becoming man, and the great gift of Jesus’ birth at Christmas. We do this proudly by praising and thanking our God, by singing beautiful carols about His glory. Just as we were given the great gift of a Savior, we should all pass this great gift on to all. Telling all about our great God, how much He loves us, to what extremes He was willing to go to save us.

Then remember to love all people as we love ourselves, always helping the needy, and not just at Christmas time.

And we must all quietly, individually come and meet our Savior. Praying, mediating, and just talking with the Son of God. Who became our eldest brother to save us from our sins, so He could brings us to Paradise to live with Him forever.

*This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1Jn 4:9 NIV+

*Dates – Go to “Daniel’s Timeline For Jesus” for further information on how these dates were calculated from God’s Word.

Summary:

The Jewish calendar year number changes, the New Year begins on the 1^st day of the seventh month of Tishri (Sept/Oct), as long as it is not a Sabbath. Nissan (March/April) is the first Jewish month, yet falls behind Tishri (Sept/Oct) by 6 months, or is 1/2 of a year later in regards to the changing of the New Year number that begins in Tishri (Sept/Oct). Tishri (Sept/Oct) 26AD would be 6 months before Nissan (March/April) 26AD.

A 9 month baby gestation period was used.

Tammuz (June/July) before the 10th 7BC is when John the Baptizer is conceived, approximately 6 plus months before Jesus.

Tishri (Sept/Oct) 1 6BC A new Jewish calendar year begins

Tevet (Dec/Jan) around the 10th 6BC Jesus is conceived in Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Nissan (March/April) before the 10th 6BC John was born.

Tishri (Sept/Oct) 1 5BC A new Jewish calendar year begins

The Day of Atonement Tishri (Sept/Oct) 10 5BC Jesus was born.

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