What do you know about the Christmas story?
There's Mary and Joseph, of course, and little baby Jesus. Probably some shepherds. Oh, wise men... don't forget the wise men. There's a stable and a manger.
Some sheep ... and cattle that are lowing.
Angels!
What about night time and a nasty old inn keeper?
And a star!
The reality is, some of those details are in the text, though they're not all in the text at the same time. Some details aren't in the text at all. And so often, what we think we kno...
What do you know about the Christmas story?
There's Mary and Joseph, of course, and little baby Jesus. Probably some shepherds. Oh, wise men... don't forget the wise men. There's a stable and a manger.
Some sheep ... and cattle that are lowing.
Angels!
What about night time and a nasty old inn keeper?
And a star!
The reality is, some of those details are in the text, though they're not all in the text at the same time. Some details aren't in the text at all. And so often, what we think we know about the Christmas story is a mashup of biblical details and traditional details, all mixed together into a sentimental Christmas story.
So often, we pay attention to our version of the story and ignore the details of the Bible's version.
In this three-part series, I walk down through Luke 2, and look at the details of the story in its original context.
This is the Christmas as the Bible tells it!
Luke 2:1-20
1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds begansaying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
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