The Birth of Jesus

Introduction. (Micah 5:2). We note two things in this text:

1.      The announcement of One who was to come, whose “goings forth” were “from everlasting” (vs. 2b).

a.       Instead of “goings forth” the RSV, NIV, ESV, HCSB put this “origin,” but that makes it sound too much as if this One had a beginning.

•         We noticed last week that Jesus identified Himself as One who existed before Abraham (John 8:58).

b.      This prophecy pointed to the coming of One eternal in nature.

2.      The One promised would come from Bethlehem (vs. 2a).

a.       Bethlehem was where Jacob’s wife Rachel died and was buried (Gen. 35:19).

b.      It was the city of King David and his family (1 Sam. 17:12).

•         The Jews in the first century understood, based on this prophecy, that this would be the city from which the Messiah would come  (Matt. 2:4-5).

We noticed in class the many OT prophecies that find their fulfillment in Jesus. This is yet another fulfillment—Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This morning, let’s consider some things the Bible teaches about the birth of Jesus.

I. The Biblical Account of Jesus’ Birth.

A.       It was preceded with three divine announcements.

1.      To a priest related to Jesus (Luke 1:13-17).

2.      To Jesus’ mother, Mary (Luke 1:26-33).

3.      To Jesus’ father, Joseph (Matt. 1:18-21).

B.       Jesus’ conception was to a virgin woman (Luke 1:34-35).

1.       This demonstrated Jesus’ deity (Matt. 1:22-23).

2.       He is Immanuel “God with us”—A fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14.

                                                             a.      Any immediate fulfillment this had before Jesus becomes fulfilled in a fuller sense in Jesus—One who  had been from everlasting.

C.      They came to Bethlehem to be registered (Luke 2:1-5).

1.      There is much debate regarding this, given that direct Roman rule of Palestine did not come until after the time of Herod the Great.

                                                             a.      Even so, it is clear that Rome held the power that it allowed Herod to exercise.

                                                            b.      There were various examples of Roman taxations and accountings even over territories Rome did not directly control.

2.      Many scholars now understand Luke’s reference to Quirinius in Luke 2:2 to communicate the sense that “this census happened before Quirinius governed Syria.”

D.     Jesus was swaddled and laid in a manger (Luke 2:6-7).

E.      His birth was announced to shepherds (Luke 2:8-18).

F.      Wise men from the east came to visit Jesus (Matt. 2:1-2).

1.      Wise men (magoi) was “the name given by the Babylonians (Chaldeans), Medes, Persians, and others, to the wise men, teachers, priests, physicians, astrologers, seers, interpreters of dreams, augers, soothsayers, sorcerers etc.” (Thayer).

                                                             a.      In the LXX magoi is used in both a negative sense of soothsayers and sorcerers (Deut. 18:11) and in a positive sense of men of wisdom (Dan. 5:11).

                                                            b.      In the latter sense, Daniel himself was made leader of the magoi.

2.       They brought gifts to Jesus (Matt. 2:9-11).

3.       They followed “His star”—which was likely part of the prophecies of Daniel.

                                                             a.      Some prophecies that foretold the Messiah ushering in the gospel forecast, “wonders in the heavens and in the earth” (Joel 2:30).

i.         It may be that it had been revealed to Daniel while he was chief of the magoi that the coming of the King of the Jews—the Messiah, would be accompanied by such a wonder.

ii.     If so, this revelation, still preserved in the knowledge of magoi by the first century, led them to look for and identify “his star.”

4.      Many early Christian writers refer to the star (e.g. Ignatius, Ephesians 19; Justin, Dialogue 78, 106, 126; Irenaeus, Heresies 3.9.2; Origen, Against Celsus 1.58).

                                                             a.      Some have thought this might have been a comet.

i.         Chinese literature records that a comet appeared for 70 days in 5 B.C. which might fit the biblical record.

ii.       While this is not conclusive it demonstrates an interesting possibility.

                                                            b.      Origen argued vigorously that the star of Bethlehem was a comet (Against Celsus 1.58).

II. Misconceptions about Jesus’ Birth. While many of these events are some of the most well known to religious and non-religious people alike, unfortunately there have also developed many misconceptions.

A. “Jesus was born on December 25^th.” The Bible does not tell us a date upon which Jesus was born, and a little bit of calculation can show that it could not have been near that date at all.

1. The gospel of Luke begins with the account of Zacharias being visited by an angel while he was serving in the temple.

a. This angel announced to him that he would have a son (who would grow to be John the Baptist).

2. Luke 1:5 tell us that Zacharias was of the priestly division of Abijah.

a. During the time of king David the priests had been separated into twenty-four divisions in order to determine who would serve in the temple at different times.

b. The eighth division was that of Abijah (1Chron. 24: 10).

c. Each division appears to have served one week each which would give each division two times a year that they would serve (2 Kings 11:7, 2 Chron. 23:8).

3. Unlike our year the Hebrew year began in the spring with the month of Abib or Nisan (Exodus 12:2, Deut. 16:1). Based upon this it can be determined that the times of service for the division of Abijah would be in approximately June and November.

a. The visit of the angel to Zacharias was during his time of service in the temple (Luke 1:8,9) and his wife conceived after his time of service (Luke 1:23-25).

b.  The gospel of Luke tells us in chapter one verses 26 & 36 that when the angel came to Mary (Jesus’ mother) that it was during the sixth month of the pregnancy of Elizabeth (the wife of Zacharias).

i.         That would place the time of Mary’s conception at either May or December.

ii.        Nine months from May would place the date of Jesus’ birth sometime in February. Or nine months from December would place it in September.

4. Thus there is no indication in Scripture that December 25th is even close to the date of Jesus’ birth.

B. “There were three wise men.” It is often asserted of the wise men (Gr. magoi) who came from the east to visit Jesus that there were three.

1. Some have even expanded upon what the Bible records to such a degree that they have given names to the three.

a. This notion probably comes from the fact that the Bible tells us that three gifts were brought to Jesus (i.e. gold, frankincense,  and myrrh)

b. Nowhere, however, are we told the number of Wise Men.

2. It could have been three, two or thirty-three the text says simply, “Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem” (Matt. 2:1).

C. “The Wise Men visited Jesus while He was in the manger.”

1. Millions upon millions of “nativity” scenes have been produced that portray the wise men standing over the baby Jesus as He lies in the manger.

2. The indication from Scripture is that the visit of the Wise Men came some time after Jesus’ birth and swaddling in the manger.

a. The text says, “And when they had come into the HOUSE, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him...” (Matt. 2:11 emphasis mine).

b. The scene of their adoration of Christ was not in a place where one would find a manger but rather in a “house.”

3. Matthew 2:7 tells us that Herod asked the Wise Men when the star appeared in order that he might determine when the child was born.

a. Apparently based upon this answer he determined to have all male children under the age of two put to death (Matt. 2:16).

b. It may be that Jesus was as much as two years old by this time.

D. “The Shepherds brought gifts”

1. In addition to confusion about the Wise Men it is also suggested that the Shepherds who were in the fields brought gifts to Jesus.

a. The text tells us – “So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.” (Luke 2:15- 17).

2. Unlike the Wise Men the shepherds had not been seeking Jesus.

a. When they were told about Him they went to investigate, rather than worship.

E. “The animals around the manger spoke.” Some of the children’s stories told about the birth of Jesus have added (with no Scriptural authority whatsoever) the notion that the animals around the manger miraculously spoke.

1. While the Bible does teach that Jesus was laid in a manger (Luke 2:7,12 & 16) there is no reference to animals at all!

a. A manger was a trough in which animals were fed. Thus it may very well have been that they were in some type of stable in which there were farm animals.

b. However, to suggest that animals spoke at Jesus’ birth is to ascribe a miracle where none has been recorded by the Holy Spirit.

F. “The Bible teaches Christians to celebrate ‘Christmas’”

1. Many in the religious world that would count themselves very religious people do so based upon two things: they attend a church service somewhere on Christmas and Easter!

a. Most likely they would tell you that they are doing so “because the Bible says to!”

2. The Bible says nothing about observing any type of memorial of the birth of Jesus.

a. That is not to say that Christians should not appreciate and remember Christ’s entrance into the world as well as all aspects of His life.

b. We should do so at all times, remembering not only His birth but His life, death, teachings and resurrection.

3. What is ironic is that while the religious world has added a religious day of memorial where none was commanded, they have almost wholeheartedly neglected that which is commanded and authorized.

a. In Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-23 and I Corinthians 11:23-26 Christians are commanded to observe the Lord’s Supper.

b. The approved Apostolic example of when early Christians did so was upon the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

c. To follow this example is to act within the authority of Scripture.

d. For a church to attribute to December 25th a special sanctity is to act without Scriptural authority.   

III. The Significance of Jesus’ Birth.

A. His birth confirmed His identity as the promised Messiah 

1. His identity was revealed to Simeon (Luke 2:25-35).

2. The prophetess Anna confirmed His identity (Luke 2:36-38).

B. He came to become our High Priest and sacrifice (Heb. 2:14-18)..

1. He can sympathize, with us, but He does not tolerate sin.

C. Jesus came to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15-16).