What Is Christmas? Pt. 11 Final Thoughts On the Birth of Jesus Christ
I want to wish all of our readers around the world a blessed and safe Christmas week.
Many of us will be traveling and anticipating spending time with close family and dear friends. May we magnify our Lord Jesus Christ during moments of cherished time together with our loved ones.
Our church is having a Christmas Eve service which is a joyous and contemplative service. I wish the same for all of you.
Please remember to pray for Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith, that our wonderful God would place a hedge of protection around them.
Please remember to share the living truth of God's eternal word with other people that you come in contact with because scripture is what God uses to change lives.
Finally, please pray for America. The spiritual needs in our country are vast so it is best to follow the pattern of Paul in the text below.
Now we will work on bringing our Christmas study to a conclusion and I am hoping that many of you will share this truth with your family.
Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day.
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Luke tells us what transpired next after the birth of Christ. According to the law of Moses, a male child on the 8th day after being born was to be presented for circumcision and his name would be formally registered.
Thus, Jesus was circumcised and formally given His name.
Jesus was presented to the Lord after Mary was purified.
Luke 2:22-24 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23) (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Then there was another ceremony to be observed under the law of Moses. It was done after the days of the woman's purification were over.
Joseph and Mary were to bring Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem to be dedicated to Jehovah as the first born male. Next they offered the required sacrifice of two turtledoves.
I want to point out to you that most modern translations (NASB, NRSV, ESV, Niv, NLT, etc) change the word "her purification" into "their purification."
The Greek word “autos” is used in several different ways that make it imperative for translators to pay attention to the context in order to translate this word properly.
Dr. Zodhiates, a leading Greek authority, says that the context determines how the word should be translated.
For example, “autos” can mean self, as in himself or herself; it also serves as “a simple personal pronoun of the third person”, such as him, her, or it, again, with the context dictating which pronoun is employed.
The alteration to this verse is simply not acceptable under any circumstance.
The alteration to this verse is simply not acceptable under any circumstance.
The context of the verse includes the temple, and Jewish compliance with Mosaic laws. The Law of Moses specifically prescribed a time of ritual purification for women only to be complete especially after giving birth to a male child (Leviticus 12:1-3).
There is no possible logic for changing “her purification” into “their purification”, unless modern editors wished to imply that the entire family was impure, including Jesus.
I am not against modern translations, but you should be aware that they make many changes to the text of scripture. Some of these changes impact doctrine and thus, we cannot lightly ignore them.
Simeon was waiting to see the Christ child.
Luke 2:25-35 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35) (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Simeon was a devout and faithful man who patiently waited for God to manifest the Messiah. The text indicates the Spirit of God was upon him. The Holy Spirit told Simeon that before he died, he would see Christ. Just as with the shepherds hearing and seeing the angels, God was at work.
The Spirit of God prompted Simeon to come into the Temple, and he arrived right when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to do according to the law of Moses.
How happy Simeon must have been to see the Christ child. He took him up in his arms and blessed the God of glory for allowing him this great privilege. Simeon then declared that he was ready for the Lord to take him home to glory.
Simeon was inspired by the Spirit to speak about the Christ child. He called Jesus a light to illuminate the Gentiles and the glory of all Israel.
Jesus was named according to the Angel of the Lord's command.
Jesus was presented in the Temple to the Lord according to the law.
Two elderly saints longing to see the long promised Messiah, rejoiced to see Christ and speak prophetically of Him.
Simeon was waiting to see the Christ child.
Luke 2:25-35 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34) And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35) (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Simeon was a devout and faithful man who patiently waited for God to manifest the Messiah. The text indicates the Spirit of God was upon him. The Holy Spirit told Simeon that before he died, he would see Christ. Just as with the shepherds hearing and seeing the angels, God was at work.
The Spirit of God prompted Simeon to come into the Temple, and he arrived right when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to do according to the law of Moses.
How happy Simeon must have been to see the Christ child. He took him up in his arms and blessed the God of glory for allowing him this great privilege. Simeon then declared that he was ready for the Lord to take him home to glory.
Simeon was inspired by the Spirit to speak about the Christ child. He called Jesus a light to illuminate the Gentiles and the glory of all Israel.
Joseph and Mary marveled at all the things Simeon said. The old saint blessed Joseph and Mary and said that Jesus would be set for the rise and fall of many people and be a sign spoken against. Mary's own heart would be pierced as well.
Anna the prophetess waited patiently for her Savior to be born.
Luke 2:36-38 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37) And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38) And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Anna was a prophetess and was very old. She had been widowed for quite some time and she stayed in the Temple day and night serving God with prayer and fasting.
Anna the prophetess waited patiently for her Savior to be born.
Luke 2:36-38 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37) And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38) And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Anna was a prophetess and was very old. She had been widowed for quite some time and she stayed in the Temple day and night serving God with prayer and fasting.
She was filled with the Spirit of God and gave thanks to the Lord for allowing her to see the Christ child. Anna told many people that Christ had been born and that redemption was nigh.
Parental obligations to God were complete.
Luke 2:39-40 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke wants us to know what happened when Joseph and Mary left the Temple that day.
Parental obligations to God were complete.
Luke 2:39-40 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40) And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Luke wants us to know what happened when Joseph and Mary left the Temple that day.
He tells us they returned to their home in Nazareth in Galilee. Luke also notes that this baby just circumcised on the 8th day grew, waxed strong in the Spirit and was filled with wisdom and the grace of God.
This closes the door on Luke's account of the birth of Christ, the seed of the woman.
The Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh.
The apostle John wrote toward the end of the first century and he devotes only a small record of the birth of Christ but it is worth noting. He takes us all the way back to Genesis 1:1, the beginning of Creation. Christ, the Word of God made all things John tells us.
John 1:14-18 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John begins his gospel with a lengthy introduction describing Jesus Christ the Word of God. He tells us that the Word (Jesus) was with God and was God. He tells us that this Word, Jesus Christ made all things and nothing was created without Him. He tells us that the Word is the source of all life and light.
Later in his introduction, John tells us that the Word was made flesh and that He was full of the glory of God the Father.
This closes the door on Luke's account of the birth of Christ, the seed of the woman.
The Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word was made flesh.
The apostle John wrote toward the end of the first century and he devotes only a small record of the birth of Christ but it is worth noting. He takes us all the way back to Genesis 1:1, the beginning of Creation. Christ, the Word of God made all things John tells us.
John 1:14-18 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. 15) John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16) And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17) For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18) No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
John begins his gospel with a lengthy introduction describing Jesus Christ the Word of God. He tells us that the Word (Jesus) was with God and was God. He tells us that this Word, Jesus Christ made all things and nothing was created without Him. He tells us that the Word is the source of all life and light.
Later in his introduction, John tells us that the Word was made flesh and that He was full of the glory of God the Father.
John says Jesus is the only begotten Son of God, which is a phrase He uses in John 3:15-18 and other places. The Son of God is the only One who knows the Father and who can truthfully declare Him to mankind.
Points to Ponder...
Jesus was circumcised according to the law.
Points to Ponder...
Jesus was circumcised according to the law.
Jesus was named according to the Angel of the Lord's command.
Jesus was presented in the Temple to the Lord according to the law.
Two elderly saints longing to see the long promised Messiah, rejoiced to see Christ and speak prophetically of Him.
Joseph and Mary committed to raise the Christ child according to God's law.
John gives us a picture of Jesus as the Word of God who was with God and was God at the beginning of Creation.
John tells us that the Word was made flesh and dwelt with mankind and that the disciples beheld His glory.
The Christmas story is a really vast story that stretches through the pages of the Bible. I hope that our studies are helpful and that they encourage us to look beyond the commercialism that grips our culture.
Let us look afresh at Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory who experienced great humiliation when He was born into the world with a body of flesh, and who endured the most intense temptations and grievous sufferings in order that He might save us from our sins.
God the Father has given the world the most precious gift of all. The sacrifice of His Son for us. Jesus took away the enmity and God in grace extends salvation to all who will hear and heed the gospel and turn to Christ in repentant faith.
Jesus was born to die for our sins and to be raised from the dead because He never sinned. This is the Christmas story.
May the Spirit of God glorify the Son of God Jesus Christ, during this Christmas season and may all believers be renewed and revived in their faith.
Bob
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