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Reflections on the First Christmas

Explore the mysterious and glorious events of the First Christmas with Mark Hammond. Delve into the nativity details, biblical accounts, and the precise chronology. Uncover the truth about Jesus' birth, his family's unique genealogy, and the roles of the shepherds and the Magi. Discover the significance of the stable, the miraculous conception, and the visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Reflect on the forerunner, Cousin John, and the Roman Empire's influence on Palestine during the 1st century.

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Reflections on the First Christmas

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  1. Reflections on the First Christmas Mark Hammond

  2. Contemporary Nativity Scenes • “Christmas Cards” • “Birthday Party” in Bethlehem • December 25, 0000 AD • Stable full of farm animals • 3 Kings • Shepards • “Christmas Pageant” • Pageantry and spectacle • Singing Angels • Camels, Donkeys & Cows • The Glory of Christmas (?) Mark Hammond

  3. Nativity Truth • What is the truth surrounding Christ’s Birth? • What is the proper chronology of events? • The Biblical Accounts • Matthew’s gospel • Luke’s gospel Mark Hammond

  4. Outline • Questions Regarding the Nativity • The Forerunner: Cousin John • Mary’s Pregnancy • Visiting Cousins • The Bethlehem Events • The Magi • Out of Egypt • Conclusions Mark Hammond

  5. Questions Regarding the Nativity • When was Jesus born? • Christmas Day, 0 AD, right(?) • What was unique about Jesus’ family? • What was the family’s genealogy? • What were the special roles performed by his uncle, aunt, and cousin? • Was Jesus’ mother a virgin? Did she remain a “perpetual” virgin? • Where was Jesus born? • In a stable surrounded by the farm animals? • Who was present for the birthday event? Mark Hammond

  6. Questions Regarding the Nativity • What was the shepard’s experience? • What were they doing out in the fields in the middle of winter? • What song did the angels sing that night? • What do we know about the “3 kings”? • Were there only 3 “kings”? • Where did they come from? • How long did it take them to reach Palestine? • What about their “Christmas presents”? Mark Hammond

  7. When Was Jesus Born? • Birth-year: probably B.C. 4 • Errors introduced by the Julian calendar • Corrections made by the Gregorian calendar • 360 days/year  365 days/year + leap years • Corrections were not retroactive • Reference: The Companion Bible Appendix 50 • Birth-date: late September / early October • Reckoned from the Temple Course of Abia (Abijah) • Priestly service by Jesus’ Uncle Zacharias • Priestly courses outlined in 1 Chronicles 24:10 • Locates John the Baptist’s conception and birth • 23rd Sivan (24th June) conception • 7th Nisan (28th March) birth • Suggests Jesus conception and birth • 1st Tebeth (25th December) conception • 15th Tisri (29 September) birth • Reference: The Companion Bible Appendix 179 Mark Hammond

  8. The Forerunner: Cousin John • Luke Chapter 1 • Zachariah and the Jewish Priesthood • Family of Aaron • 24 courses of service (2 weeks/year) • Course of Abia (Abijah) • Second ministration on 12-18th Sivan (13-19th June) • Angelic Revelation to Zachariah • Call his name “John” • Hebrew [Johanas] = Beloved of God • Filled with the Holy Spirit • The Spirit (Inspiration) and Power (Authority) of Elijah • The Greek [huion] = “sons” in verse 16, not “children”; son = representative (Greek) Mark Hammond

  9. The Forerunner: Cousin John • Angelic Revelation to Zachariah • Gabriel mentioned by name • Greek [apostelo] = commissioned with authority (not merely “sent”) • Zachariah made mute • Elizabeth conceives and hides Mark Hammond

  10. Mary’s Pregnancy • The Divine Record (Luke 1:26-38) • Angelic Revelation to Mary • Six months after Elizabeth’s conception • Angelic Statements Concerning Jesus • Son of the Highest • Heir to the throne of his father (King) David • Eonian reign over the house of Jacob • Of His government there shall be no end Mark Hammond

  11. Mary’s Pregnancy • Matthew Chapter 1 • The so-called “virgin birth” • The term translated “birth” in Matt. 1:18 is the Greek [gennao] = generated • Jewish “betrothal” = married • Not merely an “engagement” (our modern term) • No further marriage ceremony was required • “Pregnant by the Holy Spirit” • Pregnant prior to any sexual relationship • The Key Point • Either God projected himself and entered the human race or Jesus was just an ordinary illegitimate child Mark Hammond

  12. Mary’s Pregnancy • Joseph’s Lineage • Heir to the thrown of David • Lineage confirmed • Royal Line (Matt 1:1-17) • Natural Line (Luke 3:23-38) • Joseph’s Contemplations • Death by stoning (Deut. 22:21) • Bill of divorce (Deut. 24:1) • The Angelic Explanation • Call His Name Jesus • Hebrew [Joshuai] = Jehovah-Savior Mark Hammond

  13. Visiting Cousins • Luke 1:39-45 • Mary journeys to see Elizabeth • Commonly called the “Visitation” • Nazareth to Judah • Mary’s Song • “God, My Savior” (Luke 1:47) • Mary stays for 3 months • Elizabeth gives birth • Zachariah regains his voice • Zachariah's Benediction (Luke 1:67-80) Mark Hammond

  14. Roman Empire, 1st Century to AD 150 Mark Hammond

  15. Palestine Under the Roman Empire Mark Hammond

  16. The Bethlehem Events • Nazarene family fulfills God’s prophesy • The City of David • Caesar Augustus calls for a Census • The unwitting accomplice • Greek [oikoname] = inhabited earth (not “world”) • Circumstances of the Birth • Environment • Mediterranean Climate  Mild • Oriental Culture  No stables • Mangers used to hold animal feed • September/October birth date • On or around 29-30 September • Reckoned from John’s conception • The course of Abia (Zacharias’ service) • Reference: The Companion Bible, Appendix 179 Mark Hammond

  17. The Bethlehem Events • Shepards of Palestine • Sheep kept in a pens (corrals) • “Keeping Watch” = standing guard at the corral entrance • Angelic Revelation to the Shepards • One angel, then many • No singing - just speaking • Into Bethlehem • Shepards worshiping is not mentioned • Not enlightened regarding the virgin birth Mark Hammond

  18. The Return from Trip Bethlehem • The Family goes to Jerusalem • Jesus was a Jew from birth • Requirements of Jewish Law • Mother’s period of uncleanliness • Foreskin removal (circumcision) required of males • Temple sacrifices prescribed (two doves/pigeons) • Interaction with Devout Jews • Simeon (Luke 2:24-35) • “Waiting for the consolation of Israel “ • “Your salvation-bringing Messiah” • Anna (Luke 2:36-38) • “Spake of him to all that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” • The Family returns to Nazareth (Luke 2:39) Mark Hammond

  19. The Magi • The Magi Meet King Herod (Matt. 2:1-9) • “Magi” • Term is derived from a Persian religious caste • Astrologers • Known in the ancient world as government counsels, prophets, and dream interpreters • Recognized the star as a divine communication • Number of Magi is not disclosed • Magi homeland not disclosed • Their journey from the “east” took several weeks/months (from Persia or Arabia) • Jerusalem was the first stop in Palestine • Searching for the one born “King of the Jews” Mark Hammond

  20. The Magi • The Magi Redirected to Bethlehem • When did that star appear (asked Herod)? • Two years before (they answered)! • Priests/Scribes provide the “compass” • Pointed to Bethlehem • The star reappears and leads the Magi • Caravan stops at a house (Matt. 2:11) • This meeting took place in Nazareth (not Bethlehem) • 3 Gifts: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh • 3 Symbols, perhaps • Symbols of Deity, Humanity, and Death? • The Magi Return Home • Warned by God in a dream • Returned home in secret (Matt. 2:12) Mark Hammond

  21. Out of Egypt • An Angelic Warning • Joseph warned of King Herod in a dream • Greek [apollumi] = destroy (Matt. 2:13) • The family flees to Egypt • Herod slays the children of Bethlehem • Two-years and younger • Information provided by the Magi (!) regarding the appearance of the special star • Bethlehem and surrounding enclaves • Roman records and population demographics indicate that this equated to approximately 8-10 two year old male children • Jeremiah 31:15 fulfilled Mark Hammond

  22. Out of Egypt • The Family Returns from Egypt • In time, King Herod died • Family returned to Nazareth in Galilee • Hosea 11:1 fulfilled Mark Hammond

  23. Conclusions • God synchronized the events for his own purposes • God provided a precursor, a herald for his Messiah (John the Baptiser) • God preserved the royal lineage of King David • God has recorded that the virgin birth was indeed just that • The Bethlehem events were simple, not a big “pageant” • The Magi arrived on the scene several years (most likely two years) after the birth • God used humans to achieve His ultimate goals • Including: • Removal of Adam’s sin • Removal of personal sin • Provision of the Salvation of Israel • And the ultimate defeat of the Evil One (Satin) Merry Christmas! Mark Hammond

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