A Christmas Story Retold

A Christmas Story Retold Pastor Tyson Bloor Christmas The Event Luke 2:1-20 NASB95 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 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, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 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. In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 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; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying 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." So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them. Historical Context Micah 4:8 NASB95 "As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come- Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem. Luke 1:32-33 NASB95 "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end." Genesis 35:10 NASB95 God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name." Thus He called him Israel. Genesis 35:20-21 NASB95 Jacob set up a pillar over her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day. Then Israel journeyed on and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Eder. Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament) 4468 מִגְדַּל־עֵדֶר מִגְדַּל־עֵדֶר (miḡ·dǎl-·ʿē·ḏěr): n.pr.; ≡ Str 4029;-LN 93-place (loc.) Migdal Eder: place S of Bethlehem, but N of Hebron Proverbs 18:10 NASB95 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe. "First, we know that Migdal Eder was the watchtower that guarded the Temple flocks those who were being raised to serve as sacrificial animals in the Temple. These were not just any flock and herd. The shepherds who kept them were men who were specifically trained for this royal task. They were educated in what an animal that was to be sacrificed had to be and it was their job to make sure that none of the animals were hurt, damaged, or blemished." 1 1. http://www.mayimhayim.org/Rabbi%20Mike/Migdal%20Eder.htm Rachel - רָחֵל (rā·ḥēl): n.pr.; ≡ Str 7354;-LN 93-pers. (female) Rachel: mother of Joseph and Benjamin - (rā·ḥēl): n.fem.; ewe-sheep, i.e., ceremonially clean, adult female ruminate of the genus [Ben-'Owniy] (Strong's #1126), Ben-oni, "son of my pain." Or son of my sorrow Jesus became the Son of sorrow [Binyaamiyn] (Strong's #1144), Binjamin, "son of the right hand." Jesus is the Strong right hand of God [Beeyt-Lechem] (Strong's #1035), Beth-lechem, "house of bread." Jesus came from the House of Bread to be the Bread of life. The Story Unfolds Luke 2:11 NASB95 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:7 NASB95 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. Luke 2:7 NASB95 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. Luke 2:12 NASB95 "This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2:16 NASB95 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.