Our reading today of a genealogy may seem unexciting, but it has much to tell us. In this passage, Matthew traced Jesus back to Abraham and emphasized His ancestry through Joseph. (In contrast, Luke traces Jesus’ physical ancestors through His mother, Mary.  (See Luke 3:23–37.) Matthew had in mind a mainly Jewish audience, and he wanted to assert Jesus’ credentials as the Messiah. Christ is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew term, Messiah. To introduce Jesus as “the son of David, the son of Abraham” called to mind the whole tradition of messianic prophecy (v. 1). God had told Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed, and had promised David that his throne would endure forever (Gen. 12:3; 2 Sam. 7:16).                                                                

In addition, Matthew quoted or alluded to the Old Testament more than any other book in the New Testament. He used Jewish terms such as kingdom of heaven and assumed knowledge of Jewish tradition and history. His Jewish focus, however, wasn’t exclusive, as can be seen in the presence of non-Jews such as Ruth and Rahab in Jesus’ genealogy. Like all the Gospels, Matthew shows Jesus as Savior of the world.        
Take some time to slowly read through the Christmas story (Matthew 1-2 & Luke 2, John 1:1-14).

Matthew 1:1-17

 As mentioned yesterday, tracing family histories is a growing hobby. Today people spend thousands of dollars on special computer software, research books, and even trips to the place of their ancestors. There’s often a strong tug to feel connected to where we come from.

Genealogies were also exceedingly important to the Jews. Matthew 1:1-17 provides Jesus’ genealogy on Joseph’s side. Matthew said that Jesus is “the son of David, the son of Abraham (v. 1). Many Bible scholars believe that Matthew reversed the chronological order here to present Jesus first as the Messiah, the King who will establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

The names in Matthew’s genealogy are arranged in three groups of fourteen people each. This is a mnemonic (memory aid) device, arranged so that they are easy to memorize.

The three sections are based on the three great stages of Jewish history: first from Abraham to David, second from David to the exile in Babylon, and the third from the Exile to the birth of Christ.

Four names stand out.  Customarily, women’s names didn’t appear in Jewish genealogies.  Here we find four such exceptions, which should get our attention.  They are: Tamar (v. 3), Rahab (v. 5), Ruth (v. 5), and Bathsheba, referred to as Uriah’s wife (v. 6). If you study these women, you may wonder what some of them are doing in Christ’s genealogy! They are examples of God’s grace and forgiveness of sins.

It is important to note that Joseph was not Jesus’ actual father, but rather Mary’s husband (v. 16). Consequently, the genealogy of Mary appears in Luke 3:23–38. Her genealogy goes back to Adam and shows that Mary was also from the line of David.

Take some extra time to read the stories of the four women in Christ’s genealogy. Tamar can be found in Genesis 38; Rahab in Joshua 2; Ruth in the book of Ruth; and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11-12.

 Read 2 Samuel 7:8-16 (Matt 1:1-16)

 The film “Anna and the King ”presents the real-life story of Anna Leonowens, who came from India to Siam (modern Thailand) to be the governess for King Mongkut’s children. In one stirring scene, Anna’s courage and creativity save the King’s children from certain death at the hand of a would-be usurper to the throne. The importance of these children is quite clear--they represent the future of the country.

History has other accounts of royal children being protected. In fact, the genealogy of Jesus (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38) represents many amazing ways that God faithfully preserved the line of the true King, including the story of King David’s grandparents, Ruth and Boaz. Knowing that Jesus is the “Son of David” is essential because God’s Promised Messiah had to be a descendant of David.

That’s why King Herod was so threatened by the birth of Jesus; Herod was not from the line of David and he knew that he had no legitimate basis for his rule. Herod foolishly thought he could “outwit” God by killing all baby boys approximately the age of Jesus (Matt. 2:13–18). But God preserved His chosen Messiah, whom He had promised from the beginning.

One of these promises is found in our passage from 2 Samuel. King David was one of the greatest kings who ever lived. He extended the boundaries of Israel to unprecedented limits. Yet even with all his greatness, God promised that one of his descendants would be even greater (vv. 12–13). The throne of the kingdom of this promised Offspring would endure forever (v. 13). By the time of Jesus, the rabbis called this Promised One “great David’s greater son.”

Read Matthew 1:1-21

 Announcing an upcoming sermon series on the first seventeen verses of Matthew, would for most of the people in our church, cause wonder as to what kind of preaching they were in for.  If you are keeping up with the readings, you know that if the stories of the people in this genealogy were retold, you’d have enough drama, excitement, and spiritual lessons to fill many Sunday messages!

Again we look at tracing the line of God’s promise to its fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. Even though some of the prophecies about Christ as the King of David’s line are still future, Jesus is the culmination of God’s promise to send a Savior.

As we have seen, the genealogy of Joseph in Matthew 1 contains some familiar names, including Abraham, David, and Solomon. But there are other names that I hope you will investigate so that they become familiar to you as well.  Some of these would be: Asa, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The point of this list is to establish Jesus’ rightful claim to the throne of David as the legal son of Joseph, who was a “son of David” (v. 20 as we have already seen).

Notice a couple of interesting things about this list. It’s obvious the Holy Spirit prompted Matthew not to skip the less attractive “branches” in Jesus’ family tree. Judah, from whom the Messiah’s tribe got its start and its name, was not a spiritual giant. And Judah’s worst ruler, Manasseh, found his way into Matthew’s record.

It was pointed out already that Tamar, Rahab, and Bathsheba are also included, although Bathsheba’s name is omitted (v. 6). Tamar’s son Perez by Judah was the next in line to carry on the godly seed. Rahab, the mother of Boaz, was a non-Israelite prostitute in Jericho who became a believer in God.

The accuracy of God’s Word is also worth noting. Jeconiah (v. 11) is another name for Jehoiachin, the king of Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar took captive. God pronounced a curse on this king, decreeing that none of his offspring would sit on David’s throne (Jer. 22:24-30).

So as you can see, there is much more to the Christmas story than a baby being born in Bethlehem!

Read Isaiah 53:1-10

         Since this Sunday is our communion service, I thought this scripture passage that speaks of Christ’s sacrifice would be appropriate.  In conjunction with this passage, below are thoughts that convey the real “costs of this Christmas baby.
Please make time to worship with us on Sunday.  I’ll be looking for you!

Have a special Friday!
PD
It Cost …

• It cost Mary and Joseph the comforts of home during a long period of exile in Egypt to protect the little babe.
• It cost mothers, in and around Bethlehem, the massacre of their babies by the cruel order of Herod.
• It cost the shepherds the complacency of their shepherd’s life, with the call to the manger and to tell the good news.
• It cost the wise men a long journey and expensive gifts and changed lives.
• It cost the early Apostles and the early church persecution and sometimes death.
• It cost missionaries of Christ untold suffering and privation to spread the Good News.
• It cost Christian martyrs in all ages their lives for Christ’s sake.
• More than all this, it cost God the Father His own Son—He sent Him to the earth to save men.
• It cost Jesus a life of sacrifice and service, a death cruel and unmatched in history.

Source unknown

Matthew 1:18-25

            “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By any other word would smell as sweet,” wrote Shakespeare. Yet, we all know there’s a lot to a name. Parents often take great care naming their children, perhaps naming a child after someone special or famous.

         Scripture tells us that there is a name that is above every other name--Jesus (Phil. 2:9)

         That name, Jesus, is actually taken from the Hebrew, Yeshua or Yehoshua (translated in English as Joshua), meaning “Yahweh is salvation.” After Moses led the people from their bondage in Egypt, God used Joshua to lead His people into the Promised Land (Josh. 1:6). Although Joshua was not the savior, he provided a picture of the One to come who would lead God’s people from their bondage to sin into eternal life.

         At the time of Jesus’ birth, the name Jesus (the Greek spelling of Joshua) was actually quite popular. Devout Jews were waiting expectantly for God to raise up a deliverer, perhaps naming their children Jesus with the hope that God might yet send the Promised One. But there’s one essential element in Jesus’ birth not true of any other baby named Jesus. Matthew 1:18 says that Mary “was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” In all of history, there had never been a supernatural conception such as this. This would be no ordinary child! Only this child named Jesus would “save his people from their sins” (v. 21). In fact, His saving work on the cross became forever linked with His name--the Savior Jesus Christ.

         No wonder Paul wrote that God “gave [Jesus] the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9–11).

Matthew 1:18-25; 1 Tim 3:16

          Of the many artists who have depicted the birth of Jesus over the centuries, among the best is the great Dutch artist Rembrandt. His Nativity scene focuses entirely on the Child in the manger. Rembrandt achieved this focus by painting a shaft of light so that it falls on the infant Jesus in the picture. The artist included other figures, but he put them in the shadows so that Jesus alone would be the center of the attention and adoration of the viewers.

         This was God the Father's desire as well. The people who surrounded Jesus at His birth were gazing into the face of an infant who was ""God with us.""

         In a humble setting, Mary gave birth to God in the flesh, part of the ""mystery of godliness"" (1 Tim. 3:16) that sets our faith apart. Although Immanuel was not Jesus' name, it was His rightful title.

Matthew is the only Gospel writer who gives us much detail about Joseph and his crucial role in the story of Christmas. Mary's godly character is clearly mirrored in her husband, whom Matthew calls a ""righteous man"" (Matt. 1:19). His chief concern, like that of Mary, was the honor and glory of God.

         Because of this, God led Joseph every step of the way through the incredible events he was about to experience. Not only did Joseph receive a heavenly visit before Jesus was born (v. 20), but he was also guided by heavenly messengers three times after the birth (2:13, 19, 22).

We might overlook Joseph, since he basically dropped out of the biblical picture after the events of Christmas and the flight to Egypt. But as we know from last Sunday, Joseph was a ""son of David"" (1:20), a member of the Messiah's royal line. His immediate obedience to the angel's command was key to the unfolding of the Christmas story.

Matthew 1:18-25

The first Christmas card was designed by the English illustrator John Horsley in 1843 at the request of a friend. Horsley’s greeting card resembled a postcard depicting a large family enjoying a Christmas celebration. The people who received the cards were so delighted with them that they began designing and sending out cards of their own, establishing a long-standing Christmas tradition.

We hope you will receive the next week’s worth of studies as our Christmas card to you, a biblical portrait of the greatest story ever told that comes with our prayers for a happy and blessed Christmas in your home. As we mentioned on September 1, we are laying aside the book of Colossians for Christmas week to review the story of Chris’s birth and worship Him.

But even though we won’t be studying Colossians for a few days, don’t let go of the book’s central theme, the uniqueness and supremacy of Christ. Jesus’ uniqueness as God’s only Son, born of a virgin, is the truth that permeates the Bible’s accounts of His birth.

The events of Christmas help explain why Paul could write with confidence, “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form” (Col. 2:9).

The apostle Matthew’s report of Jesus’ birth begins and ends with the supernatural and the miraculous. Matthew simply states what Luke explains in more detail, the conception of Jesus by the Holy Spirit. Joseph’s reluctance to take Mary as his wife, and his desire to shield her from public humiliation, testify to his godly and tender character.

An angelic visit informed Joseph of the truth, and he obeyed God immediately. Matthew recorded two more angelic visits to Joseph, emphasizing Joseph’s part in the unfolding of God’s prophetic plan for the birth of His Son.

Matt 2:1-12

            In T. S. Eliot’s poem, “Journey of the Magi,” one of the wise men recounts the difficult quest for the newborn king. It was winter, the villages they passed through were unfriendly and expensive, and many people thought their journey was foolish.

They persisted, however, and found the Christ-child. After their return, they realized that their journey had been spiritual as well as physical. Somehow, they had sensed Jesus’ future and His mission: “This Birth was / Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.” After this they didn’t feel at home in their own country: “We returned to our places, these Kingdoms, / But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, / With an alien people clutching their gods.”

            For those who encounter Christ, the journey of life is transformed. This is where our journey begins. Those who seek find and those who find are forever changed.

            The journey of the Magi is a typical quest story. Who were they?  These were probably Gentile scholars from Persia or even Babylon. What were they looking for? Their information was surprisingly specific. They knew the nation (Israel), the event (a birth), and its significance (a king). How did they know? They may have had access to Jewish books. By their own testimony, they’d read the news in the stars.

            The rabbis that Herod consulted gave the wise men the last piece of the puzzle–the specific destination of Bethlehem. But none went with them to see if the promise of a Messiah had indeed been fulfilled! Only these dedicated foreigners followed the star to the house where Mary, Joseph and Jesus were. Their two-year search had finally come to an end!
            To find the Christ-child, the Magi in Matthew’s Gospel followed a “star.” What was that star? 

Here are some thoughts to heighten your Christmas.  If you’re curious, do some research today. Theologians and astronomers have proposed numerous theories, including a comet, a conjunction of planets, and a supernatural light. Check out sources at your local public or church library or on the Internet to reach your own conclusions. What would a scientist with a telescope have seen? Do you think the Magi were the only ones aware of the star’s significance? Why or why not?

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. - Proverbs 8:17

Matt 2:1-12

 The uniqueness of Jesus Christ is once again on display in today’s reading. No other birth has ever stirred such a mixture of reaction: from fear and puzzlement to worship and joy. For many of us, the Magi were, in a way, our representatives in Bethlehem, since they came from the Gentile world to acknowledge and worship the king of the Jews (v. 2).

Most scholars agree that the Magi arrived in Jerusalem and then Bethlehem well after Jesus’ birth. But that doesn’t take anything away from the story. Matthew recorded the startled reaction of Herod, and the matter-of-fact answer that Israel’s religious authorities gave to Herod’s worried inquiry about the arrival of a new king.

These men should have been the most interested people in Jerusalem to see our Lord, given the Magi’s startling announcement and the evidence of fulfilled prophecy before them. They should also have been the first to reach Bethlehem. But they simply quoted the prophecy from Micah and then went about their business.

Maybe they were afraid of Herod and his reaction, but that is no excuse for the nation’s appointed religious leaders not even to investigate the Magi’s news.

But God will never leave Himself without a witness. His Son would have the worship and praise due Him, even if God had to bring Gentile dignitaries from far away.

The Magi’s gifts were worthy of a king. Gold speaks of Christ’s deity, incense of His purity, and myrrh of the death He came to die for sin. Like the shepherds who had seen Jesus, the Magi certainly went back to their homes rejoicing and praising God for what they had seen. We can finish Christmas 2007 in the same spirit.

There were two basic groups of people who were present at Jesus’ crucifixion and also at His birth.  Herod represents the worriers, those who were disturbed by Jesus and wanted to stop Him. The worshipers, led by the Magi and the shepherds, saw Jesus for who He was and bowed at His feet. Let’s join this latter group by adding our worship to theirs.  Why not include time for worship in your devotions today?

December 12 – Matt 2:1-12

          Bethlehem is located six miles south of Jerusalem. We previously read the prophecy, quoted from Micah 5:2, that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:6).

People in the Mediterranean world, whether they were Jews or not, were hoping for a leader who would guide their nations out of submission to Rome and into a golden age of order and prosperity. The Jews in particular longed for the arrival of their Messiah. But they didn’t expect a tiny baby--they expected a conquering hero who would overthrow the Empire.

         The Magi were priests who specialized in the study of the stars and planets. They were also skilled in philosophy, medicine, and science. They were filled with wisdom, and they would have been aware of the Old Testament prophecies regarding Jesus’ birth. Although we don’t know what brilliant star those ancient Magi saw, that heavenly brilliance spoke to them of the entry of a king into the world. Thus, they set out to find Him.

         In contrast to the Magi, King Herod was an evil man, who was insanely suspicious. If he suspected anyone to be a rival to his power, that person was promptly eliminated.  He murdered his wife, her mother, and three of his sons. Augustus, the Roman Emperor, had noted that it was safer to be Herod’s pig than Herod’s son. It is obvious how such a man would feel when news reached him that a child destined to be a king had been born.

         Herod sent for the Magi and said to them, “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” (v. 8). In actuality, though, Herod had no intentions of worship; he planned to kill the child.

         You may be rushing around doing your Christmas shopping. But have you thought of what you will give to Jesus?

Matthew 2:1-12

         Franz Gruber was distraught. It was Christmas Eve, 1818, when Gruber, the church organist in the little town of Oberndorf, Bavaria, discovered that his organ was broken. The town was snowbound, and no one in town could fix the organ.

         So Gruber asked church vicar Joseph Mohr to compose a song the congregation could sing without the organ. Early on Christmas Day, Mohr handed his new poem to Gruber, who quickly composed a melody. The people sang the song, and loved it. What Mohr gave Gruber, and what the two of them gave the world, has become a treasured Christmas gift around the world: Silent Night.

         The Magi traveled a rigorous journey to give treasured gifts to Jesus when they arrived in Bethlehem sometime after His birth. These were lavish gifts, given as an act of worship by these prominent visitors from the east. The Magi’s gifts gave testimony to their understanding of Christ’s uniqueness.

         These men stepped into the Christmas narrative for a short time and then disappeared. Remember, we don’t really know how many Magi there were or where they came from. Someone has suggested that it would take more than three men to stir up all of Jerusalem! Whatever the case, they were looking for a coming King. When they saw the star of Bethlehem, they knew their expectation had been fulfilled.

         The star of God ""went ahead of them"" to guide the Magi (v. 9)--like the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites--until it had led them to Jesus. The irony of Matthew 2 is that foreigners announced to the leaders of Israel that their own King had been born.

         The indifference of the nation is stunning. The chief priests and teachers of the law knew exactly what the Magi were talking about, but apparently made no effort to search out the truth for themselves. Even the wicked King Herod was more curious than those who should have been at the head of the line in Bethlehem, worshiping their Messiah.

         But the Magi got to share in the birth of the Savior. They were the first to offer Jesus gifts that represented the best they had--the same gift He wants from us today; the best you have!

Matthew 2:13-23; Luke 2:21-24

             The story is told of a great military commander who sat by an evening fire with several of his officers to discuss the day's battle. He asked the officers, ""Who did the best today on the field of battle?"" One by one, the men told of soldiers who had fought bravely and risked their lives for their comrades.

            The commander heard them out, then said, ""No, I fear you are all mistaken."" He told of a soldier who, just as he raised his arm to strike an enemy, heard the trumpet sound retreat. Instantly, he dropped his arm without striking and retreated, an act the commander called ""perfect and ready obedience to the will of his general.""

            Today's reading demonstrates that Joseph and Mary obeyed God in the same spirit of promptness and submission. The story of Jesus' circumcision and Mary's purification in Luke 2 precedes the family's flight into Egypt, possibly by a number of months. But both accounts reveal Jesus' parents' perfect and ready obedience to the will and direction of God.

            Apparently, Jesus was circumcised in Bethlehem on the eighth day after His birth, in obedience to the Law (Lev. 12:3). Then, in accordance with the Law, Mary remained ceremonially ""unclean"" for an additional thirty-three days. At the end of that time, she and Joseph traveled to Jerusalem to present the prescribed sacrifice (Lev. 12:8). Since the couple offered doves or pigeons rather than a lamb, we know that they were poor.

            Joseph's obedience to the angelic warnings was much more dramatic than his obedience to the Law. Fleeing to Egypt must have been the last thing on his mind. But he and Mary did exactly that, just because God said to!

            We know that more happened here in God's plan than merely the holy family's avoiding danger. Matthew tells us that the flight fulfilled God's prophetic word (Matt. 2:15; Hosea 11:1). By identifying Jesus with Israel, God was validating His Son's identity as Israel's Messiah and calling the nation to identify with Him.

Matt 2:13-23

             A children’s story tells that when Mary and Joseph became weary on their way to Egypt, they sought refuge in a cave. A spider, wishing to do something for the Christ child, spun its web across the entrance to block the wind. When Herod’s soldiers passed by, they didn’t bother to check the cave because the spider web was not torn. They didn’t think anyone could possibly be inside. They left the holy family in peace. Some historians attribute the tradition of hanging tinsel on a Christmas tree to represent the safety provided by the spider’s web in that story.

            The angel of the Lord once again appeared to Joseph and told him to flee, because Herod would try to murder Jesus. Joseph instantly obeyed (v. 14). Fleeing to Egypt fulfilled the prophecy of Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” This passage carries the double meaning of God’s love for Israel, shown by Moses leading the exodus from Egypt, and also God’s love for us by calling His Son from the relative safety of Egypt to return and fulfill His ultimate purpose of suffering and dying on the cross for our sins.

            Herod wanted to be sure to eliminate this potential rival to his power, so “he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under” (v. 16). Perhaps the soldiers drew a circle around Jerusalem with the radius as far south as Bethlehem and as far north as Ramah. They killed all the young boys within that territory, fulfilling the words of Jeremiah 31:15 that are quoted in Matthew 2:18.

            Jacob’s favorite wife, Rachel, was the symbolic mother of the northern tribes of Israel. In Jeremiah 31 she is pictured crying for the exiles at Ramah, a deportation point during the Babylonian captivity. This terrible mourning had its fulfillment in Matthew 2 as the mothers in Bethlehem and the surrounding area wept as their children were brutally slain by Herod’s soldiers.

Matthew 2:13 -23

            I seems that no one pays more attention to British royalty than the United States. The media finds the royal family to be captivating. Books about them sell quite well in the States. One thing that people are interested about is whether or not Prince Charles is qualified to assume the throne after his mother. During the lengthy marital squabbles of the Prince and his late wife, we were informed that a divorce and remarriage to his commoner mistress would render him unqualified for the ceremonial position of king. How all of that shakes out will be the fodder of tabloids on both sides of the Atlantic, because the issue of qualifications is of paramount importance when crowning a king.

            The Magi, who were likely Babylonian astrologers that had studied Jewish messianic teaching, quickly recognized the qualifications of the new King. So convinced were they of this King after seeing "His star," as they called it, that they dropped everything and made the perilous trip from Babylon to Palestine, just to gaze upon Him.

                While much ado is made of the Magi, most of what is written is speculation and hyperbole. How many were there? Matthew does not say. Were they Oriental Kings as the old hymn suggests? Not according to Matthew who simply tells us, "magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem." Were they fully informed concerning the Messiah so that their lives were transformed before they left Babylon? Again, no speculation is made of these astrologers who commonly dealt with "the meaning of the course for the stars and its interconnection with world events" [Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. IV, 358]. D. A. Carson points out, "Matthew neither condemns nor sanctions [their astrology]; instead, he contrasts the eagerness of the Magi to worship Jesus, despite their limited knowledge, with the apathy of the Jewish leaders and the hostility of Herod's court-all of whom had the Scriptures to inform them"

                May we take the eagerness of the Magi to heart as we prepare to worship the “new born King.”

CHRISTMAS CHEER – Matt 2:13-23

                Every year around this time, I have a familiar experience. I'm out shopping, and I'll go through the checkout line, and pay for my stuff. When the cashier hands me back the change, they'll say "Happy holidays," or perhaps even "Merry Christmas."

I realize that this comment is not always motivated by the cashier's genuine interest in whether or not I enjoy my holiday. I'm aware that they may be saying this because they've been told to. I can envision the memo from K mart corporate headquarters directing cashiers when to switch from "Have a nice day" to "Happy Holidays," on the assumption that this will somehow help cement a lasting bond between the store and the customer that won't evaporate when a Wal-Mart opens across the street.

I'm aware of all that, and suspicious of the whole business. But at least once every year, I have a cashier who looks me in the eye and says "Merry Christmas," and really means it. And it changes my whole day.

            There really is something genuine to this whole idea of Christmas cheer. As Dec. 25th draws near, people warm up just a bit. If you're out and around on Christmas Eve, you'll notice tha1 people are friendlier than on any other day of the year.

Folks warm up when they are mindful of the Christ child's birth, and make an extra effort to practice the virtues the angels sing of - "peace on earth, goodwill towards men."

            But consider this - why do we notice this at Christmas? Why does this surge in warmheartedness stand out? I think it's because, despite our best intentions, good will towards men can easily become a seasonal event rather than a standing policy.

When Christ entered our world, he didn't come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. It can be hard work to practice good will towards one another. But John the Baptist's message was that as we prepare for Christ to come into our lives, we can change our ways.

The Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry provide the blueprint for loving our neighbor in a busy and complicated neighborhood. Christ made a point of seeking out the broken and disenfranchised people of his day - the lepers, prostitutes and tax collectors - and he saw the value in each one of them. And in so doing, He helped them recognize the value in themselves.

            This Christmas season, let us recognize that just as faith is a decision, good will towards people is a series of decisions that work themselves out not in temporary holiday cheer, but in the details of everyday life.

Here’s something I found the other day that might heighten your understanding of what happened in Bethlehem regarding the star.

Matthew This is the only place in the entire New Testament where you can find the Star of Bethlehem.

The account of the ‘star of Bethlehem’ in Matthew 2:1-12 is a factual account without mythical or imaginary content.

 No one saw the star but the wise men

There is no indication in the text that any other person actually saw the star. The shepherds in the field did not see the star, Herod did not see the star, Mary and Joseph did not see the star, and there is no contemporary record of a big star. Mark, Luke, and John do not record a big star. Astronomers running their planetariums backwards through time are not unanimous about it, and scholars trying to date the birth of Christ with its appearance have been confounded. Possible candidates for the star simply do not match the gospel’s chronology and dating. The reason for this is that Matthew never alleged a conspicuous star.

 The wise men were professional astrologers

Ancient astrologers had a double role in society. They were responsible for observing and charting stars and using this information to regulate the calendar, which was of great utility to agriculture. Because agriculture affected the welfare of the nation, astrologers tried to extend their skills to the other aspects of national welfare, and the divination aspect of astrology was born. Today, astronomers perform the practical part of ancient astrology, and modern astrologers are totally dedicated to divination—in fact, modern astrologers make no observations of the sky at all, but rely on an ephemeris prepared by astronomers. Ancient astrologers restricted their divination to nations and kings, as the modern practice of casting individual horoscopes for ordinary folks did not yet exist.

Ancient astrologers were concerned not only with astronomical phenomena and the regulation of the calendar, but also with the meaning that could be derived from the position of the zodiac, the motion of the planets and comets, and the phases of the moon. Thus the ‘star of Bethlehem’ seen by the wise men was most likely a mundane star which rose at a significant time, or a planet (planets were considered stars by the ancients) that appeared in what was for them a significant constellation at a significant time. This is borne out by Matthew, who describes a phenomenon observed only by astrologers and no one else.

Because astrology involved divination, it was forbidden to the Jews. (Divination, being a consultation with higher powers which are not God, implies an erosion of monotheism.) The Jewish calendar was regulated by the temple priests.

             Matthew presents us with the following account: Some professional astrologers saw some planet in some constellation at a particular time, and this combination of events was significant to them. They deduced that a king was to be born in Judea, so they headed west. When they arrived in Judea, they needed to ask directions, so they rather sensibly came upon the idea that the current king might know something about his successor. They were wrong, as it turned out. Herod knew nothing of a successor, but probably babbled out the common theory that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem before his paranoia took over and caused him to suspect that the astrologers had spilled the beans about a rebellion. The astrologers went to Bethlehem, came upon Jesus, and paid homage to Him. Certainly the loquacious wise men must have told Mary and Joseph about their trip, including the incident with Herod, since one of the primary functions of travelers was to spread news. Later that night, Joseph mulled over events, and drew conclusions about Herod’s probable reaction to the astrologers. He realized that Herod would take the astrologers seriously and would act to purge his kingdom of potential rivals, real or imaginary. These conclusions took the form of a dream, warning him to get out of town. Fortunately, he followed the advice of the dream.

Stripped of modern romantic embellishments, there is no reason why the event could not be a flat factual account. In our modern times, we would call this a set of heart-warming, believable and edifying coincidences. Matthew probably meant it that way too, since it is inconsistent with Matthew or any of the other New Testament writers (still heavily tinged with Judaism) to ascribe authority to a system of divination like astrology.

Matthew’s gospel could only have found its way into the New Testament canon if this account were generally accepted as an historical anecdote about a marvelous, heart-warming and providential coincidence; otherwise it would have caused considerable controversy. The controversy about astrology in Matthew is conspicuous by its absence.

Dec 24

Who is Jesus?

Consider the themes of the sixty-six books:

• In Genesis, He is the Creator God.
• In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.
• In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.
• In Numbers, He is your guide.
• In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.
• In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.
• In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.
• In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.
• In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;
• In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.
• In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
• In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.
• In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.
• In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.
• In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.
• In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles,—but
• has the power to do something about them.
• In Psalms, He is your song—and your reason to sing.
• In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense out of life and live it successfully.
• In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.
• In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.
• In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, and more. In short, He’s everything you need.
• In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul.
• In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend.
• In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel—the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.
• In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the everlasting God who never runs out of time.
• In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to comeback—even when you have abandoned Him.
• In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.
• In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side.
• In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.
• In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will.
• In Micah, He is judge of the nation.
• In Nahum, He is the jealous God.
• In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.
• In Zephaniah, He is the witness.
• In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies
• In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.
• In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.
• In Mark, He is the servant.
• In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
• In John, He is the Son of God.
• In Acts, He is Savior of the world.
• In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
• In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.
• In II Corinthians, He the triumphant one, giving victory.
• In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
• In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.
• In Philippians, He is your joy.
• In Colossians, He is your completeness.
• In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.
• In I Timothy, He is your faith.
• In II Timothy, He is your stability.
• In Philemon, He is your benefactor.
• In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
• In James, He is the power behind your faith.
• In I Peter, He is your example.
• In II Peter, He is your purity.
• In I John, He is your life.
• In II John, He is your pattern.
• In III John, He is your motivation.
• In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
• In the Revelation, He is your coming King.

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.’’ (Colossians 1:17)

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