The Christmas Story - Part 3 - Days 14-22 Series

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