The Birth of Christ According to the Gospel Accounts
Matthew and Luke
The Birth of Christ in the Account of Luke
Luke 2:1-20
I. The possible anachronism?
2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Possible question of relationship in the narrative- “what is the relationship of Roman historical event in the birth of Christ?
-ans. Luke as a historian, connects the historical setting of the birth of Christ in the Roman history that supported the reality of event in the early century, thus present the possible reality of the birth of Christ.
Roman History supported the event of census in the time of the birth of Christ. (Augustus, 27 BC.-A.D. 14). Ordered the census that involved Joseph and Mary going to Bethlehem (v.1) (The MacArthur Bible Commentary)
-Historical event becomes the evidence of the birth of Christ.
II. The possible birth month
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
-Shepherds and sheep in the field…(not winter). The possible birth month is between April to May
III. The possible existence of heavenly host-Angels
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
IV. The possible excitement of the people
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
-People of humble status (e.g. Shepherds), and of greater influence (e.g. Wise men)
I. The possible anachronism?
II. The possible birth month?
III. The possible existence of heavenly host-Angels?
IV. The possible excitement of the people?
A critical mind will certainly seek evidence about the nativity story i.e. if it is fictional or true to life event. Fortunately, historical event base on the Rome’s history supported the nativity as a non-fiction. The existences of characters, event of census, places, were true. Therefore, the birth of Christ is true, and Jesus is true.
The sermon was delivered December 7, 2014 at One Way Filipino Christian Fellowship, Gainesville Florida. Link: Youtube: One Way FCF (The Birth of Christ) FB. One Way Filipino Christian Fellowship
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