The Birth of Jesus Christ

This paper by Daniel Wallace is from 1996, but it is still an important reminder of the details surrounding the birth of Christ.

Here is Wallace' conclusion:

We've been looking at several aspects of the birth of Jesus Christ in this short study. Now, we want to put it all together.

In the winter of 5 or 4 B.C., God invaded history by taking on the form of a man. He was born in a small town just south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem, which means 'the house of bread,' indeed became worthy of its name one lonely winter night. For there, in that town, was born the Bread of Life . . .

His mother placed the infant king in a manger--or feeding trough--because the guest room where they were to stay was occupied. The birth of this king was celebrated that night only by his mother, her husband, and a handful of shepherds. The shepherds had been in the fields around Bethlehem, guarding the lambs which would die at the next Passover. An angel appeared to them and gave them the birth announcement: "today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (). In their simple faith, they rushed to see their newborn king.

Shortly after the birth of the Messiah, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem and inquired of king Herod where the real king of the Jews was to be born. The theologians of Herod's court knew the Scriptures well--in 'Bethlehem' they recited. Ironically, though they knew the Scriptures, they did not believe them! They did not even bother to travel the five or six miles to Bethlehem to see their Messiah.

But Herod believed the Scriptures! That is why he sent a corps of butchers to Bethlehem to slaughter innocent children, in hopes of destroying this rival to his throne. But he was too late. The magi had come and gone and Jesus was by now safe in Egypt.

And the magi believed the Scriptures. They had traveled several hundred miles to worship this Babe. They were guided to Bethlehem by a supernatural celestial phenomenon--and by the Scriptures. Apparently, their ancestors had been instructed by Daniel the prophet about the coming Messiah. . . When they saw the child, they fell down and worshiped him. This was God in the flesh. They could do no other.

Yet Another False Prophet...

...goes to his reward.

I guess that he has finally discovered that Jesus is much greater than the 900 foot tall version that he described seeing.

Update:

More background on his heresy.

This looks like a good book...

...to prepare you for Christmas:

Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas

Plus, you have a chnace to win a copy.

Zero Tolerance = Zero Common Sense

Once again, the dictum of "zero tolerance" is wielded like a clumsy club.

Note that the student was parked off campus.

Note that the school used an "ammunition sniffing" dog to uncover the shotgun. (and to think that they tell us that California has a budget crisis.)

Note that he did nothing wrong.

I want my country back. In High School, not only did we keep our rifles and shotguns in our cars and trucks in the school parking lot (some displayed in open gun racks) so as to hunt before and after school, we were also permitted to check out .22 rifles at the ROTC armory so as to shoot on the 50' indoor range without adult supervision. And to think that none of us ever thought once about shooting up our school.

What are you prepared to do?

What are you prepared to do when they:

Force you to pay for elective abortion with your tax dollars?

Tell your church that it must perform same sex weddings or lose its 501(c)(3) tax status?

Threaten to jail you if you proclaim Biblical truth?

None of these are outside of the realm of possibility in today's cultural and political environment.

Something to think about: When these things happen, will you acquiesce, or will you engage in civil disobedience, knowing that you will suffer the consequences? I am afraid that too many will decide to take the safe route and "burn the pinch of incense" so as to stay on good terms with the Emperor.

May I recommend that you begin to allow your voice to be heard by signing The Manhattan Declaration. (Not the one on "climate change".)