Newsletter 275 December 24, 2011
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Luke 2:1-20
Our family has four daughters, all are American, but two were born in America, one in Namibia, and one in South Africa. Jesus grew up in Nazareth, but the prophets had foretold that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem, so God caused Caesar Augustus to decree that everyone must return to the place of his family origins and pay a tax. Joseph and Mary‘s background required them to return to Bethlehem to be counted in a census and pay that tax. It was God’s timing that this should cause Jesus’ birth to be at Bethlehem and fulfill that prophecy. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
(Matthew 22:17, Luke 3:1, Matthew 24:14)
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
(Matthew 4:24)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
(Luke 1:27)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
(Matthew 1:25)
Surprisingly we were not shown an inn site, but there are two sites for the stables. One is almost literally under the dividing wall between two church buildings. One enters the very old Greek Catholic building, is shown part of the mosaic floor of a still more ancient building that once stood there; then passes down a set of stairs past the traditional site of the stables, and emerges on the other side of the wall into the Aramaic church. We were told that there is a nearby cave that is also a possible alternative site. Bethlehem is a very hilly area, and is probably still surrounded by shepherds with their flocks. I don’t recall any obvious evidence of farming nearby. It is only a few miles from Jerusalem.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
(Luke 1:11, Acts 5:19, Luke 24:4, Acts 12:7)
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
(Matthew 14:27)
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
(Matthew 1:21, John 4:42, Acts 5:31, Matthew 1:16, Matthew 16:16, Matthew 16:20, John 11:27, Luke 1:43, Acts 2:36, Acts 10:36)
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
(1 Samuel 2:34, 2 Kings 19:29, 2 Kings 20:8, Isaiah 7:11, Isaiah 7:14)
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Matthew 21:9, Luke 19:38, Luke 3:22, Ephesians 1:9, Philippians 2:13)
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
(Luke 2:51)
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
(Matthew 9:8)
While the Matthew account is included with the Christmas events, it clearly tool place several months later. These visitors had seen this new star and interpreted it to mean that a new king had been born. Three types of gifts were brought, but there may have been more in the company, and probably were as they had travelled many miles through hostile country. Joseph and Mary, and Jesus had found a house after others had returned home, and Joseph had probably established himself in his trade. But, Bethlehem was not to be their permanent home. He was to come from Egypt. God warned the wise men to return home by a different way that would not be through Jerusalem, and told Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt
Herod was the power in Jerusalem, and when he heard of these visitors, their wealth, and why they had come, he was very angry. A new king! He was the king! He issued a decree that all the baby boys near Bethlehem be killed. It was quickly done, but baby Jesus was already on his way to Egypt not to return until Herod was dead.
Matthew 2:1-11
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(Micah 5:2, Luke 2:4-7, Luke 1:5)
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship Him.
(Jeremiah23:5, Jeremiah 30:9, Zechariah 9:9, Matthew 27:11, Luke 19:38, Luke 23:38, John 1:49, Numbers 24:17)
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
(John 7:42)
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
(Micah 5:2, John 7:42)
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
(Numbers 24:17)
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
(Matthew 1”18Matthew 12:46, Matthew 24:14)
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READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2012
DECEMBER
25th. Sunday – Zephaniah 1, 2, 3, Revelation 19:1-9, Psalm 147:12-20
27th. Monday – Haggai 1, 2, Revelation 19:10-21, Proverbs 31:10-20
27th. Tuesday – Zechariah 1, 2, 3, 4, Revelation 20, Psalm 148:1-6
28th. Wednesday - Zechariah 5, 6, 7, 8, Revelation 21:1-12, Psalm 148:7-14
29th. Thursday - Zechariah 9, 10, 11, Revelation 21:13-27, Psalm 149
30th. Friday – Zechariah 12, 13, 14, Revelation 22:1-9, Psalm 146
24th. Saturday - Esther 9, 10, Revelation 18:12-24, Proverbs 31:21-31
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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE
“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
Matthew 1:23
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http://www.amazon.com/P-J-Mills/e/B004KAS792/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
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A surgeon, an architect, and a politician were considering the question of whose profession was the oldest.
"I think my line of work would win this one hands down," the surgeon said. "After all, Eve was created from Adam's rib, and that sounds like surgery to me."
"Maybe," the architect said, "but before Adam, order was created out of chaos. That was architectural accomplishment."
"Sure," the politician said. "But before that, someone had to create the chaos."
Bob and Phyllis Mills
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