A post from Christmas Eve (a little late)

**Note to readers: I've been without internet so this is a late post.**

12/24/13  10:40pm

As I sit here this Christmas Eve, I think about the incredible thing that Mary did. She trusted an angel who told her she was not only going to be impregnated but the Child she will carry is going to be the Savior of the World, and at a later point in His life He will be crucified for all of mankind's sins. Can you just imagine that? I’m a parent and I could never imagine knowing ahead of time that the child that I had borne was going to be crucified one day. 

I have been reading much and watching some shows about the history of the Bible, Christmas, and delving into my own bible and some other references so I can learn more. It’s been quite the learning experience and one I hope to continue. 

Here are some little known facts that I came across today.  Do you know that, in essence, Jesus was born homeless? Think about it. Joseph is summoned back to Bethlehem to be counted “At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. This was the first census taken when Quirinius* was governor of Syria. All returned to their own towns to register for this census.” (Luke 2:1-3)

When Mary and Joseph arrive in Bethlehem, there are so many people that they don’t have a place to sleep, so they are relegated to a stable next to a local inn. “And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born…. She wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the village inn.” (Luke 2:6,7). 

It doesn’t mention any further as to where Jesus lived, but from all the accounts we read Jesus never really stayed in one place. He was always going from village to village. Think of the homeless people you see these days. I’m sure that none of us has looked at anyone homeless and thought to ourselves “Can this be someone special?” I’m sure that the people back then probably thought the same thing until they found out who He was.

Interesting fact #2. Jesus was Jewish. Well, I can’t exactly go back and explain to you, my dear readers, the genealogy of Jesus. BUT, in Matthew 1:1-17 gives a pretty good lineage. Let’s just say that it starts with Abraham and ends with Jesus. 

Also, Joseph is the descendant of King David. Mark 1:9-11 speaks of Jesus’ baptism as a Christian. “One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and He was baptized by John in the Jordan river. And when Jesus came up out of the water, He saw the heavens split open and the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Him. And a voice came from heaven saying ‘You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with You.’” 

I happened to notice in Luke 2:7 where it mentions that Mary gave birth to her FIRST son. That got me scratching my head. I didn’t think Jesus had any brothers or sisters. So, I posed that question to a few people at church recently. The answer I got was this: James, who was one of Jesus’ disciples, was His brother. 

Most biblical scholars agree that Jesus’ birth wasn’t December 25. It became popular because it was already in pagan religious celebrations as the winter solstice, December 21. They felt those long, dark days could be lightened with feasts and decorations.

The church didn't really celebrate the birth of Jesus, Christmas, until between three and five centuries afterwards. In the passages surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, it mentions how shepherds are out in the field tending to their sheep. According to what I’ve learned, it gets pretty cold in Israel in December. The animals wouldn’t be out grazing in the fields in the dead of winter. Luke's account "suggests that Jesus may have been born in summer or early fall. Since December is cold and rainy in Judea, it is likely the shepherds would have sought shelter for their flocks at night" (http://www.ucg.org/bible-faq/when-was-jesus-christ-born-was-jesus-born-december-25-christmas-day) 

*The Census of Quirinius refers to the enrollment of the Roman provinces of Syria and Judaea for tax purpose, taken during the reign of Augustus (27 BCE – CE 14), when Publius Sulpicius Quirinius was appointed governor of Syria.

 Well, my dear readers, I hope this gave you something to think about. It's my little contribution to little known facts! I hope you will leave your comments on this. :)