Myths of Christmas

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We are all familiar with Nativity Scene during the Christmas Season. The traditional account has Jesus, Mary & Joseph along with shepherds, angels and the three wise men all at the manger on Christmas Night. Much of this is erroneous and most of the account is chronologically and locationally inaccurate according to the Bible. This study is my attempt to put the accounts of Matthew 1 - 2 & Luke 1 - 2 in chronological order and give a more accurate account of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus.

I. Chronology of Events
1 - 2 years     Luke 1:5 - 25   Jerusalem - Gabriel visits Zacharias,
before Christmas                Elisabeth conceives.
9 mos.          Luke 1:26 - 38  Galilee - The Annunciation &
                                Immaculate Conception.
6 - 9 mos.      Matt. 1:18 - 25 Galilee - Angel, probably Gabriel,
                                appears to Joseph.
                Luke 1:39 - 56  Jerusalem - Mary visits Elisabeth &
                                Magnificat.
6 mos.          Luke 1:57 - 80  Jerusalem - Birth of John the Baptist.
1 week          Luke 2:1 - 6    Mary & Joseph travel to Bethlehem.
Christmas       Luke 2:7 - 20   Bethlehem - Birth of Jesus.
                                Angel appear to shepherds.
                                Heavenly host glorifies Jesus.
8 days after    Luke 2:21 - 38  Jerusalem - Simeon & Anna see Jesus at
                                the Temple.
couple of wks.  Luke 2:39       Jesus, Mary & Joseph return to Galilee.
3 - 6 mos.      Matt. 2:1 - 8   Jerusalem - Wise men arrive & see Herod.
3 - 12 mos.     Matt. 2:9 - 12  Galilee - Epiphany at the house of
                                Mary & Joseph.
                                Presentation of gifts by the Magi.
                                Departure of wise men.
12 - 18 mos.    Matt. 2:13 - 15 Flight into Egypt.
1 - 2 yrs.      Matt. 2:16 - 18 Slaughter of the Innocent.
3 - 10 yrs.     Matt. 2:19 - 23 Return to Nazareth.
12 yrs.         Luke 2:40 - 52  Jesus Found Teaching in the Temple.


II. Three Wise Men

Matthew account of the Magi never gave the number of three. We don't know how many, but it was at least two. Three is a guess because of the three gifts, gold, frankincense & myrrh. The meaning of the three gifts.


    

  • Gold - King
    • 

  • Frankincense - Priest
    • 

  • Myrrh - Prophet
    • 


III. Mary a Perpetual Virgin

The misconception that Mary remained a virgin throughout her marriage to Joseph is unbiblical. Both Christmas accounts state that Jesus was the only the firstborn.



Matthew 1:24 & 25 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.



The fact is that Mary & Joseph had four sons and more than one daughter.



Matthew 13:55 & 56 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us? 



...Mark 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? ...










































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