Christmas Questions

1. At what time of year was Jesus born? Answer: late December.

- Jesus was baptized about his 30th birthday. “That Jesus was also baptized . . . Jesus Himself began to be about thirty years of age” (Luke 3:21-23).

- Jesus had approximately 5 to 6 months of activity between his baptism and his trip to Jerusalem after Passover, (i.e., late March or early April).

- 1st miracle after baptism 7 days (John 2:1-10).

- Temptation in wilderness 40 days + travel time

- First trip to Capernaum 2 or 3 days (Mark 1:21-34).

- First preaching trip to Galilee 30-40 days (Mark 1:35-39).

- Leper and palsied healed 3-4 days (Mark 1:40-2:12).

- Call to Matthew 3-4 days (Mark 2:13-31).

- Approximately 4 months between Jesus’ birthday and His first trip to Jerusalem at Passover.

2. What does Noel mean? Comes from Latin for birthday. Came to mean Christmas card or song.

3. How could the wisemen come from so far, yet show up on time?

- 1 to 2 years after the birth. The Greek word describing Jesus is paidion a child, not a word for baby. Mary and Jesus were living in their house in Bethlehem, not returned home to Nazareth. “He (Herod) sent them (Wisemen) to Bethlehem” (Matt. 2:8). “When they were come into the house” (Matt. 2:11).

4. How many Wisemen worshiped Jesus?

- Tradition says three, because of three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

- Some say at least 100 from the East. “Jerusalem and Herod were troubled” (Matt. 2:3). A small traveling group wouldn’t have raised any concern in a cosmopolitan center like Jerusalem.

5. What was the star the wisemen followed?

- The church father, Origin, said it was a comet.

- Halley’s Comet appeared August 25, 7 BC and was observed 63 days.

- Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter about December 17, 7 BC

- A supernatural star located in the atmospheric Heaven not the constellation heaven. “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).

- A predicted star. “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter (symbol of King) shall rise out of Israel” (Num. 24:17).

6. Who were the wisemen?

a. Some say kings, because of the type of gifts, i.e., three kings from the East, We three Kings.

b. They are described as Magi, a Persian word for men expert in study of the stars.

c. They journeyed out of self protection, if baby was going to rule the earth, they courted his favor.

d. They mixed worship and study, and came to worship.

7. How is His birth and death tied together?

- Swaths of cloths were used at both. “Wrapped Him in swaddling clothes” (Luke 2:7). “And bound it (the body) in strips of linen” (John 19:40), NKJV).

8. Did the baby Jesus know shepherds and wisemen were worshipping?

- In the kenosis (pouring out) Jesus voluntarily gave up the independent exercise of attributes, i.e. omniscience, omnipresence, and omnipotence. “Though He was God, He did not demand His rights and cling to His former position, but He laid aside (poured out) His mighty power and glory” (Phil. 2:6-7, ELT).

- Jesus knew what the Father wanted Him to know.

9. Did the child Jesus do miracles?

a. No because, “Jesus gave this, the first of His signs, at Cana” (John 2:11, Phillips).

10. Did Mary know her son Jesus was the eternal God, the Creator of heaven and earth?

a. No.

b. She knew Jesus was from God, and had a special calling on His life.

c. “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

11. What did Mary know about Jesus?

a. He was a King (Matt. 2:2; Luke 1:32).

b. He was a Savior (Matt. 1:21).

c. He would bring God to the people (Matt. 1:23).

d. Angels worshipped (Luke 2:8-19).

e. He would give light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32).

f. “A sword shall pierce through thy own soul” (Luke 2:35).

If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.