Fact and Fiction About the Birth of Christ We must separate the facts from the fiction surrounding the birth of Jesus.

Introduction We are in the holiday season where many focus on the birth of Jesus. There is more Bible text on the birth of Jesus than any other event – except his death. More study – sermons and classes are needed because of the fiction that surrounds this event.

FACTS Jesus was born –In Bethlehem –In a stable –At night –Born of the virgin, Mary Shepherds came –Angels announced his birth –They worshipped Him

FACTS Wise Men Came –From the east (Persia) –They brought gifts –The came looking for the newborn king

FICTION: December 25 This date was set in 325 AD This matched the pagan festival to mark the shortest day and sought to please the god of the sun Logically – it was not in winter Biblically – We are not to establish special days

FICTION: December 25 Galatians 4:10-11 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

FICTION: December 25 Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.

FICTION: December 25 Romans 14:6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord and he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

FICTION: 3 Wise Men There were three kinds of gifts brought They generally traveled in large groups Some traditions even give their names What we know from the NT – there was more than one

FICTION: Wise Men at the Stable Many pictures, movies, and cards show the wise men at the stable with the shepherds on the night of Jesus birth What does the Bible teach? Matthew 2:11a – And when they had come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped him.

FICTION: Wise Men at the Stable  At the house – not the stable  Young child – not infant (babe) –The word for babe (brephos) = unborn or newborn –Young child (teknon) = toddler, walks, talks  Luke 2:12 – And this will be the sign to you: You will find a babe (brephos) wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  Matthew 2:11b - they saw the young child (teknon) with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshiped him.

FICTION: Wise Men at the Stable Jesus was at least 40 days old – Luke 2:22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they broght him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. Leviticus 12 sets this for a first born son as 40 days This had to take place before the wise men visited.

FICTION: Wise Men at the Stable It was in fact – 2 YEARS – after the birth of Jesus. Wise men come to Jerusalem to King Herod Herod inquired the time the star appeared – Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.

FICTION: Wise Men at the Stable Matthew 2:16 – Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.

Conclusion We need to pay attention to what the Bible teaches – on all matters. We must: –Believe the facts –Obey the commands –Accept the promises