DAY FOURTEEN
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a star appeared in the sky.
Wise men in the east saw the star. They knew the Scriptures and the meaning of the star.
There shall come a Star out of Jacob,
and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel. Numbers 24:17
They prepared for their long journey and traveled to Jerusalem. Surely the newborn King would be in the palace in Jerusalem!
The wise men asked, “Where is the King of the Jews who has been born? We saw his star from the east, and we have come to worship him.”
Who did they ask? Herod, king of Judaea
Herod gathered all the chief priests and scribes together, and he demanded of them where Scripture said Christ would be born.
“In Bethlehem,” they said, “because Micah the prophet wrote: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the princes of Judah: because out of you shall come a Governor, who will rule my people Israel.” Micah 5:2
Herod asked the wise men privately when the star had appeared.
Then Herod sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
The wise men left to find the young child.
Matthew 2:1-9
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DAY FIFTEEN
After the wise men left Herod, they saw the star again, the one they had seen on the night Jesus was born. When they saw it, they rejoiced. The star went before them until it came and stood over the house where the young child was.
Herod had told the wise men to go to Bethlehem, but the star led them to where Jesus was. Jesus was no longer in a stable, he was in a house. He was no longer a babe, but a young child. Luke told us Joseph, Mary and Jesus had returned to Nazareth after Mary’s period of purification and her offering in the temple in Jerusalem. Luke 2:39
When the wise men entered the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshipped him.
Then they opened their treasures and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
God warned the wise men in a dream that they should not return to Herod. So they went back to their own country another way.
Matthew 2:9-12
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DAY SIXTEEN
When the wise men left to return to their own country, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. The angel said, “Get up and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt. Stay there until I bring you word, because Herod will seek to kill the young child.”
Joseph got up and took Jesus and Mary and went into Egypt during the night.
God provided for the family’s needs with the gifts the wise men had brought.
When Herod realized that the wise men were not coming back, he was very angry. He had not wanted to go worship this king who was born. He wanted to kill him to protect his position on the throne.
Herod had all the children that were in Bethlehem and the surrounding area killed, from two years old and under, based on the time that the wise men had seen the star.
This massacre fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah, which told of sorrow and weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted, because they were dead. (Jeremiah 31:15)
Read Matthew 2:13-14,16-18 for the exact wording of these events.
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DAY SEVENTEEN
Joseph, Mary and Jesus stayed in Egypt until Herod died.
When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph in a dream in Egypt. The angel said, “Get up and take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel. Those who sought the young child's life are dead.”
Joseph got up, took Jesus and Mary, and went into the land of Israel.
The prophecy spoken of the Lord by Hosea was fulfilled. “Out of Egypt I have called my son.” (Hosea 11:1)
Archelaus reigned in Judaea in place of his father Herod. When Joseph heard this, he was afraid to go there. He took his family into Galilee. Joseph came to Nazareth and lived there, fulfilling the prophecy which said, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Matthew 2:15,19-23, Luke 2:52
e. Joseph came to Nazareth and lived there, fulfilling the prophecy which said, He shall be called a Nazarene.
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.
Matthew 2:15,19-23, Luke 2:52
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DAY EIGHTEEN
Why are the wise men in the nativity scenes?
The nativity originated with Saint Frances of Assisi in 1223.
He was inspired by a trip to the holy land.
There he saw the stable in a Bethlehem cave where Jesus was born.
He wanted to remind people of the lowly beginning of the Christ child.
He arranged a live nativity with an empty manger, hay, an ox and a donkey.
He wanted to impress upon the people how Christ came into the world in poverty and simplicity.
The nativity scene has evolved to include Mary and Joseph, an angel, the shepherds, the star and the wise men.
It is more like the scene at the end of a Christmas pageant.
And that’s not a bad thing. It still shows the simplicity of the birth but also brings in everyone else who played a part.
The angel who brought the message to the shepherds never appeared at the stable scene, but he played a part in the story of Christ’s birth.
The wise men saw the star from hundreds of miles away. They were spurred into action to come worship the king, but they didn’t make it to the stable scene. But they still have a part in the events of that night.
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DAY NINETEEN
The Christmas story points to the cross.
Jesus was born to save us from our sin. How did he do that? He died on the cross, paying the death penalty for my sins and yours.
Before Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, God had made a plan for us to enter heaven. God spoke of his plan when he spoke to Eve and the serpent. (Genesis 3:15) His plan centered around sending His son to live among us and die for us.
But Jesus didn’t stay in the grave. Unless He defeated death, He couldn’t offer us life.
He was born to die so we can live.
As you celebrate the birth of Jesus today, remember His death and resurrection also.
Merry Christmas!!!
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DAY TWENTY
PROPHECIES OF THE BIRTH OF JESUS
Conceived of a Virgin Isaiah 7:14
Born of a Virgin Isaiah 7:14 (Matthew 1:25)
Born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2
Children Killed in Bethlehem Jeremiah 31:15
Called out of Egypt Hosea 11:1
Descendant of:
--- Abraham………………Genesis 12:3
— Isaac……………………..Genesis 26:4
—Judah…………………… Numbers 24:17
—Jacob…………………....Genesis 49:10
— Jesse…………………….Isaiah 11:1
— David……………………..2 Samuel 7:12-13
Isaiah 9:6-7
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DAY TWENTY-ONE
CHRISTMAS OUTLINE
Angel Brings News to Mary Luke 1:26-38
Mary Visited Elisabeth Luke 1:39-45
Mary Praised the Lord Luke 1:46-55
Mary Returned Home Luke 1:56
News for Joseph Matthew 1:18-25
Birth of Jesus Luke 2:1-7
The Shepherds Luke 2:9-20
Circumcision Luke 2:21
An Offering Luke 2:22-24
Blessing of Simeon Luke 2:25-35
Anna Luke 2:36-38
Return to Nazareth. Luke 2:39-40
The Wise Men Matthew 2:1-12
Warned in a Dream Matthew 2:13-15
Children of Bethlehem Killed Matthew 2:16-18
Called Out of Egypt Matthew 2:19-23
Genealogy Matthew 1:1-17
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Day Twenty-Two
We often think about God choosing Mary to be the mother of the Christ child.
Let’s think about Joseph for a minute:
Joseph is the man God chose to be Daddy to His Son!
What kind of man would you choose for your child?
— patient
— kind
—Firm but gentle
—Slow to anger
—Disciplines not in anger, but with love
— good and just
—A protector - Someone to run to when the child is scared.
—Someone with the courage and power to be that protector
—A provider - not providing every want but providing every need
—Present - Someone who is consistently present in the child’s life
— Unconditional love
— Helps the child learn from mistakes
— What else can you think of? What would be your standards? Whatever they are, God has that same standard or higher.
These are also the characteristics of God. Many don’t have a father in their lives. Did you know the love and protection and provision of a father is an earthly picture of the Heavenly Father? If you don’t have that good daddy you might have a harder time understanding the love of God.
In 1 Timothy 3:1-7, the qualities of a bishop are listed:
He must be
blameless,
the husband of one wife,
temperate,
sober-minded,
of good behavior,
hospitable,
able to teach;
not given to wine,
not violent,
not greedy for money,
but gentle, not quarrelsome,
not covetous;
one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence,
not being puffed up with pride that he does not fall into the same condemnation as the devil.
He must have a good testimony among those who are outside,
lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
In verses 10-13, Paul lists the qualities of a Deacon:
must be reverent,
not double-tongued,
not given to much wine,
not greedy for money,
holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
Let deacons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children and their own houses well.
a good standing and great boldness in the faith
These are God’s standards for the men watching over His children. He would have these same standards for the Daddy of His Only Begotten.
And remember God didn’t just see the actions of Joseph, He knew his heart.
Joseph wasn’t just a package deal that came with Mary.
God hand-picked Joseph
just like He
hand-picked Mary.
