Timeline Truths for the Birth of Jesus
After the
predictions from the Old Testament about the forthcoming Messiah, the order of
occurrences at the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem has been skewed by paintings,
traditions, and hymns of the Christmas season. The first fulfilled sign was the
appearance of the star. This special star was noted by astronomers and
scientists of that era. The unusual and distinct divergence from the normal
night sky intrigued the Magi enough to gather a caravan and follow it from the
east. The wise men learned of it from old texts, because the star was predicted
in Numbers 24:17. “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh:
there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel,
and shall smite the corners of Moab. And destroy all the children of Sheth.”
They connected the dots and sought this King represented by the Sceptre. Readying
themselves and making the journey would have taken about a year or more.
The next event would
have been the annunciation and the miraculous impregnation of Mary. Luke 1:26-38.
Joseph’s visitation of an angel in a dream came next. Matthew 1:18-25. Caesar
Augustus decreed that all should go to their own city to be taxed. Luke 2:1-5.
Joseph and Mary left Nazareth to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem.
It was pointed
out to me that the image of Mary riding on a donkey and being nine months was
almost as impossibility. Joseph being a carpenter would probably have had a
cart to carry tools, lumber, and the items he made. He would have not have left
his tools behind and they would need supplies for the ten day journey. Arriving
in Bethlehem, they took the only shelter that was available in a stable.
About this time,
the Magi would have gotten to Jerusalem seeking the newborn King. Matthew 2:1-9.
While they were in audience with King Herod, angels appeared to shepherds. They
hurried to find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. It
was another prophecy fulfilled. 1 Samuel 2:34. While the Magi traveled from
Jerusalem to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph acquired lodging in a house where they
were found by the Magi. Matthew 2:11. Most pictures and Crèches have the wise
men at the stable. Tradition and the hymns also say there were three because of
the gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but there were probably more people than
this. The Magi were warned of God not to return to Herod and departed for home
by another route.
This was all
done before Jesus was eight days old, because he was taken to the Temple in
Jerusalem to be circumcised. Luke 2 21-38. Then Joseph, being warned in a dream,
departed to Egypt to reside with his family until Herod’s death and the danger
of the decree to slay all children two years and under was gone. The two years
was a time to coincide with the appearance of the star.
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