Introduction

Most of us grew up hearing the “Twelve Days of Christmas” carol, which refers to an actual 12-day period. The traditional 12 days of Christmas run from Dec. 25, celebrating the birth of Jesus, to the Epiphany, celebrated on Jan. 6, as the day when the manifestation of Christ’s glory was realized.

The “Twelve Days of Christmas” is believed to be written as a catechism song to teach the Catholic tenets dating to the 4th century AD. Whereas certain Christian sects celebrate the 12 days of Christmas differently, others, such as the Eastern Orthodox Church, believe the Epiphany to be the most important day of the Christmas season. Some swap gifts on each of the 12 days instead of only on Christmas day, as most Americans do. Advent has a similar theme to it, running the four Sundays before Christmas.

But somehow, the message is getting lost amid all the shopping and spending that has overtaken the real meaning of Christmas. For the next 12 days, we will be looking into what the Bible says about the birth of Christ as the Messiah the world was waiting and hoping for. Jesus came to serve the world, not to conquer it. His kingdom is everlasting and still to come. Christ was born to bring hope to a world in need of a savior.

My hope is that you will better understand God’s purpose for the 12 days of Christmas, to bring salvation to the world, the greatest gift of all. Our 12 Days of Christmas begins on Dec. 18 and ends on Dec. 29. You'll see why as the story unfolds.

If you have never studied the birth of Jesus, I urge you open up a Bible and read the gospel accounts of Matthew and Luke for yourself. Don't just take my word for it. Enjoy. And if you like it, send it to a friend. Merry Christmas.

To view a link of the "12 Days of Christmas," go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y72zk7cO8cM&feature=related

Day 1: Waiting for the Messiah

Today’s scripture: Isaiah 11:1-5 (NIV) A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him – the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord – and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waste.

In viticulture and arborist terms, branches that are dead don’t produce any fruit – until you prune the dead branches. Water and minerals from the root system is stopped from reaching the end of the branches. Then, in just a few weeks, new life starts budding off the newly trimmed branches. The Bible uses this reference several times in terms of our own faith, especially in John 15.

Old Testament prophecies foretold of a coming Messiah. The Jews were waiting more than 400 years for the Messiah to arrive. This prophecy says that the roots of the Messiah would come from a dead stump, meaning a new branch would grow out of nothing. Jeremiah 23:5 has a similar ring to it, calling the Messiah a “righteous branch” that will rule over Judah and Israel. These prophecies also indicate that the house of David was corrupt and in need of a new transfusion of righteousness, which the coming Messiah would provide.

But the Jews were looking for a physical power that would conquer Rome, its oppressive ruler, even though this passage warned that the coming Messiah would “judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor.” Yet he would see with his own eyes all that was around him, hinting of a human form. There are more subtle warnings in prophecy. The Messiah’s power would not be from his might, but with his mouth, teaching about repentance, forgiveness and an eternal relationship with His Father.

God’s word would ring true only in his own chosen oracles. God’s prophecies are always accurate (Deut. 13:1-3). Yet, for 400 years, God was silent. Malachi was the last prophet listed in the Old Testament, in 430 B.C. The book of Malachi formed a bridge between the Old and New Testaments. His last prophecy was the foretelling of a prophet of the stature of Elijah. That prophet would be John the Baptist, who told of the coming of the Christ (Matt. 17:10 and Luke 1:17). John urged sinners to repent, a message that was repeated later in the person of Jesus Christ in his adult ministry some 30 years later.

Did you know: The song says, "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, A Partridge in a Pear Tree ..." which signifies Jesus Christ.

To view a link to Handel’s Messiah’s “Halleluiah Chorus,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abcgpn2UTV8

Day 2: Kingly descendents

Scripture: Matthew 1:1-17 (Message) The family tree of Jesus Christ, David’s son, Abraham’s son. … Jacob had Joseph, Mary’s husband, the Mary who gave birth to Jesus, the Jesus who was called Christ. There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, another fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and yet another fourteen from the Babylonian exile to Christ.

The Jews were awaiting the Messiah. Prophecies foretold his coming. They knew that the Messiah would be a descendent from King David, so Matthew – written by a Jew for the Jews – begins by giving Jesus’ ancestry, from Abraham to Joseph. Mary, too, came from the lineage of the house of David, so both Jesus’ parents came from royalty. Matthew also includes four women (Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheeba) who came from disreputable backgrounds. At least two of them were not Israelites by birth, so he had at least a little Gentile blood, and the four had reputations that would have made them unmentionable in Jewish ancestries. Yet they were included to show that came for all people.

The people were awaiting their earthly king, to be a mighty warrior like David. Rome had become their mighty oppressor, and the Jews came to expect a king with a mighty sword to conquer Rome. Instead, God sent them a heavenly king to rule over their hearts. The kingdom of Jesus would be much greater than David’s kingdom over Israel, once the greatest power in the world, but a land that had fallen to corrupt kings, sin and idol worship.

From Christ’s birth, there was opposition to this heavenly king, starting with Herod the Great. Herod, as well as Satan, was afraid of what Jesus could do. While Herod was trying to stop the formation of Jesus earthly kingdom, others came to worship him. We, too, must recognize that Jesus is the king of all things and bow down before him. The New Testament is filled with Jesus’ teachings of living in peace with others. He taught forgiveness, not revenge.

Jesus’ beginnings on earth were miraculous, and his teachings and triumph over death some 33 years later showed his true identity. It took faith for Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents to the Christ child. It took faith for the shepherds in the fields and the wise men to follow the star into Bethlehem. Today, it takes faith for us to follow Jesus Christ. God sent his only son to live among us so that he would know every temptation we face. He knows the struggles we face on a daily basis. Nothing is beyond his comprehension. God still loves you, despite your weaknesses, your inadequacies, and your feelings of shame and guilt. Nothing will ever change that, because his love is unconditional.

Did you know: The song says, "On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, Two Turtle Doves ..." which signifies the Old and New Testaments.

Day 3: History’s turning point

Today’s scripture: Matt. 1:18-25 (NIV) This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had a mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save this people from their sins. All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” – which means, “God with us.” When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

In "Questions I Would Like to Ask God," Ravi Zacharias referenced a quote by talk show host Larry King, in his response to a particular question: "If you could select any one person across all of history to interview, who would it be?" King said he would like to interview Jesus Christ. When the questioner followed with, "And what would you like to ask him?" King replied, "I would like to ask him if he was indeed virgin-born. The answer to that question would define history for me." Zacharias requested permission through a common friend to quote King, who sent word saying, "And tell him I was not being facetious."

The virgin birth is a key element of the Christmas story. The Hebrew term “almah” is, indeed, used in Isaiah 7:14 (“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and he will call him Immanuel.”), meaning a young woman of marrying age. But in Matthew 1:23, the Greek “parthenos,” meaning a virgin, is used. Mary would have been about 16 at the time. Two hundred years before the New Testament, Hebrew scholars translated the Old Testament into Greek, and they chose parthenos over neos, meaning simply young woman.

The Jewish marriage in those days came in three parts. First, the families arranged the marriage. Then, they announced that the two were pledged, for up to a year, similar to today’s engagement. (The man often had to build a home.) Finally, they got married, consummated their marriage and began living together as husband and wife. Because Mary turned up pregnant, Joseph had every right to divorce her, which he planned to do. By law, the Jewish authorities could have had her stoned to death. Until the angel visited Joseph and set him straight.

Now, had Joseph been a proud man, he could have followed up with his plan, but the angel was convincing. It was important that the Messiah come from a virgin birth because Jesus (which means “the Lord saves”), God’s son, had to be free from the sinful nature passed on to all humans from Adam. Jesus was born of a woman, fathered by God, so he was without any trace of human sin. He was fully human and fully divine. By living with us (Immanuel means “God with us”), he would fully understand our experiences and struggles. Although he came from the line of King David, Jesus was sent here for the common man.

That night, you can bet Joseph went back to sleep, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, and slept peacefully – with an angel nearby.

Did you know: The song says, "On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 3 French Hens ..." which signifies Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues.

To view a link of “O Come, O come, Emmanuel,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBfPnUZh-Bc

Day 4: Change of plans

Today’s scripture: Matthew 1:24-25 (Message) Then Joseph woke up. He did exactly what God’s angel commanded in the dream. He married Mary. But he did not consummate the marriage until she had the baby. He named the baby Jesus.

Joseph was a tremendous example for obedience and integrity. One day, he is troubled and confused. His beautiful, virtuous wife to be is suddenly pregnant, and he is thinking of quietly divorcing her, trying to save face without hurting his betrothed. What would people think? Would he be humiliated? What his friends chastise him?

Then the angel appears to him in the night, and Joseph is transformed into a confident servant. He knows what to do, and he does it as soon as he wakes up. He doesn’t take a few more days to think about it. He doesn’t look for double and triple confirmation. He doesn’t look for another sign. How much stronger of a sign can you get than an angel appearing to you in your bedroom?

When he learns that Mary has not been unfaithful to him, he quickly marries her and takes her into his home. He doesn’t waste any time. That’s the mark of a righteous man who understands his role without question. That’s the kind of faith God wants us to have in our everyday life. Joseph simply obeyed God, although others may have disapproved of his decisions to marry. Joseph did what he knew was right.

Also note that Joseph and Mary did not consummate their marriage until after Jesus was born. This enabled Mary to remain a virgin until after Jesus’ birth, thus fulfilling scripture (Isaiah 7:14). Mary’s virgin conception was done wholly by God. Mary’s egg would not have been used by God, either. The name Jesus means “the Lord saves.” Jesus came to earth because we cannot save ourselves from sin and its consequences. Only Jesus can eliminate our sinful nature. Christ came to die as a perfect sacrifice for all our sins.

Did you know: The song says, "On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 4 Calling Birds ..." which signifies the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists.

To view a link to “Gloria, In Excelsius Deio,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-Rp-gRBl9c

Day 5: Confirmation of God’s blessing

Today’s scripture: Luke 1:39-45, 56 (NIV) At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Mary may have been filled with doubt that her baby was something special. What would she have been thinking, knowing an angel had visited her and told her she would give birth to the Messiah? By the time she was showing, she would have gone through morning sickness. Were there questions in her mind as to her pregnancy, while not having slept yet with Joseph, her husband? So she went off to visit her relative, Elizabeth.

It must have been a great confirmation to Mary’s ears to hear Elizabeth’s greeting. There were no e-mails, letters, or telephone in those days. Mary’s visit seemed to be a complete surprise to Elizabeth. Giving a blessing to someone was highly regarded in the Jewish culture. Elizabeth let Mary know that she was, indeed, special and that her child was different. Because Zechariah was mute (Luke 1:11-15) for the duration of his wife’s pregnancy, it is unknown as to whether Elizabeth knew she was carrying a great prophet in her womb. But she knew Mary’s child was special. John’s kicking in her womb let her know. Elizabeth called her young relative “the mother of my Lord.” Elizabeth did not envy Mary.

There was also practicality to the visit. Elizabeth was getting on in years and her first pregnancy may have been difficult. Mary would have been a great help to her. Elizabeth surely would have shared more prophecy with her young relative. Mary possibly was feeling doubt as to the validity of her pregnancy, the visit from an angel, etc. It would have been early in Mary’s pregnancy, for it seems she walked both ways, and it was several days journey. Long visits were customary for long-distance relationships. Today, you could hop in the car and be there in an hour, but in those days it would not have been practical for an overnight visit.

I also can’t help but think that some of this was God’s doing, protecting Mary’s image in her hometown of Nazareth. Later, Mary, Joseph and Jesus were sent by God to Egypt to protect them from Herod’s murderous ways. This visit would give her time away from gossip. Neighbors wouldn’t be as apt to talk about her while she was away, although it is unknown whether anyone outside Mary and Joseph and Zechariah and Elizabeth knew of the coming child. Is that part of the reason for the Census, which took Mary and Joseph to the distant town of Bethlehem from Nazareth (some 96 miles on a donkey)? God is also our protector in times of need. We don’t always understand God’s sovereignty, but we must trust that He has a plan for us, especially during trying times.

Did you know: The song says, "On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 5 Golden Rings ..." which signifies the first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch," giving the history of man's fall from grace.

For a link to view “Mary Did You Know,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdyj5F6oqGs&feature=related

Day 6: A song to God

Today’s scripture: Luke 1:46-55 (NIV) And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but he has lifted up his humble. He has filled the hungry with good things, but he has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he has said to our fathers.”

If you’re a music lover, this passage may sound familiar to you. It’s the makeup of the Magnificat, the Latin translation of the first word of Mary’s message. Mary has been transformed from a shy, timid Jewish girl into a confident messenger of God. She pictures God as a defender of the poor, oppressed and the despised. Is that how Mary felt during her pregnancy with Jesus? She now has pride in being God’s servant. And yet there is humility in her voice. She is praising God with every word she utters.

Much of this passage has been used in hymns and carols over the years. It is common for hymns and praise songs to be filled with scripture. Mary’s words come from the Psalms (138:6, 71:19, 111:9, and more). These aren’t just words from a poet or fine musician. They come from God’s chosen servants. Passages in the New Testament always support Old Testament teachings. Mary’s message confirms God’s promise to Abraham in Gen. 22:16-18. Mary knew that Christ’s birth would fulfill this promise.

Being a servant of God can sometimes be difficult. Just because you desire to serve God in something more meaningful than passing out bulletins on Sundays does not mean your life will be rosy and filled of blessings. On the contrary, God’s servants usually face more strife because of risks they have chosen to take for the kingdom. They usually face more spiritual battles to keep them from presenting the world with a better answer to life: that Jesus saves.

When the message becomes convoluted and inspired by the author and not the creator, trouble brews. Whenever the messenger confuses the message and puts the focus on himself, there are problems. God’s servants grow in faith as they see God fulfill his promises. When they humble themselves and place the emphasis on God, and not themselves, their faith in God grows, sometimes at great cost in their own lives. Mary would have known that kind of trouble. She would have heard whispers about her in the marketplace. When people are confident in God’s message, they grow strong in presenting it. It’s why a feeble teenage girl could ride a donkey for days while being pregnant. She willingly bore the pain. She knew the message was more important than the messenger.

Did you know: The song says, "On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 6 Geese A-laying ..." which signifies the six days of creation.

To view a link to “Magnificat,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo1x-62WmrI

Day 7: A moving message

Today’s scripture: Luke 2:1-7 (NIV) In those days, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in clothes and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Roman census was issued for conscription into the military and for tax purposes. The Jews of the area did not have to become soldiers, but they did have to pay taxes. Joseph and Mary would travel the 96 miles by donkey from their hometown of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem in Judea, because Joseph was in the house of David and his registration would take place there. Only the man in the household was required to register; Mary did not need to make the rocky journey through the mountainous region, but some scholars believe she went to hide her pregnancy from the community and the ensuing scrutiny it would have brought.

Caesar Augustus’ greed fit right into God’s plan and timing. Prophesy told of the Messiah being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Even though Mary was pregnant, she had to go with her husband. Because of the rough terrain, the journey would have taken about 10 days, because they would not have been able to travel fast because of Mary’s condition. Undoubtedly, the rough ride hastened the birth.

While the Jews were waiting for a Messiah that would conquer their Roman oppressors, God had other plans. Jesus would be a common man, a carpenter’s son, but still of the house of David (e.g. Isaiah 11:1). Because many people were in Bethlehem to register, there was no place for them to stay. Though tradition tells of the baby being born in a cave, most likely Jesus was born in the back end of a house, where the stable would have been attached. Hence, the numerous animals shown in manger scenes. Winters were cold in Judea, and barns were generally attached to the house to keep the livestock warm, so the birth probably actually took place in the spring. The manger most likely was carved out of the rock and was a feeding or water trough.

Some interpretations say that Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes, a Jewish tradition to give a sense of security and warmth to babies. No silk, no pomp, no circumstance: Just a crying baby. The home of someone who felt sorry for the young marrieds would have been dark and dirty, just as the world around them was. The Bible often uses vivid imagery to tell stories, which is why Jesus was not born in a clean, well-lit hospital. No matter what our surroundings are, God can use them for his will. Don’t look at your surroundings and think that God couldn’t possibly be doing something great in such a dreary place.

Did you know: The song says, "On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 7 Swans A-swimming ..." which signifies the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments.

To view a link to “Away in a Manger,” go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOJb6uOF05Q

Day 8: A birth announcement

Today’s scripture: Luke 2:8-20 (NIV) And there were shepherds out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger. Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they found him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them and about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

If Jesus were born today, we would have heard about it through a Tweet, Facebook, blogs, Internet, every newspaper in the world, radio, and every TV network. The bright-shining star over Bethlehem would be a helicopter spot light. Billions of people around the world would know within hours of the birth of the Messiah. Two thousand years ago, the only media was word of mouth. God used a bright-shining star to guide, first, shepherds, and later, the Magi, to see the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. That was it. Oh, and trumpets blared and angels sang.

Shepherds were the low lifes of Jewish society. Their testimony was not admitted in a court of law because they weren’t considered trustworthy. Still, some of the great Old Testament characters were shepherds (Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David). Yet God chose shepherds to spread the word that a savior was born on this day. Imagine how they must have felt. One minute, they’re counting stars in the sky on the quiet outskirts of town, the next they are gazing at an infant child, just as the angel had described.

The stable would have smelled of urine and dung and dirty sheep that hadn’t been washed in months because of the winter cold. Mom and dad were a simple peasant girl and a sleepy carpenter from Nazareth. Did the people of Bethlehem notice anything different on that first morning? Undoubtedly, there were other travelers who would not have fit into the inns. Would anyone have noticed? Would the townspeople have seen the large star over their city? Was the hustle and bustle of everyday life of these shopkeepers any different on this day?

The good news is that this Messiah was an every man’s savior and not just for Jews. In his lineage was Ruth, a Moabite who married Boaz, a Jew related to her mother-in-law, Naomi, so Jesus had a trace of Gentile blood in his veins. He also had a prostitute in his lineage – Rahab. Jesus came for the shepherds of our culture. He didn’t come for the wealthy and the successful. Jesus accepts us for who we are, wherever we are at. Thirty years later, he would preach about purity, yet not condemn a harlot. On this day, it was a simple beginning with stinky animals and humble shepherds. God chooses the ordinary to spread his message because everyone needs to hear it.

The question is, are your eyes open to see the message? Are your ears open to hearing the message? Or are you looking for the wrong thing? Are you looking for a silk robe when it is swaddling clothes you should be looking for? Does the dung around your life keep you from smelling the rose bush outside your window? The shepherds knew what was happening when they heard and saw it, and they spread the word quickly. They believed because their eyes and ears were open. God had become man. Merry Christmas all.

Did you know: The song says, "On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 8 Maids A-milking ..." which signifies the eight beatitudes.

To view a link of “Oh Holy Night,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUPUw-nm_gQ\

Day 9. Worshipping the king

Today’s scripture: Matt. 2:1-12 (NIV) After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the time of King Herod, Magi from the East came to Jerusalem and asked “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people, chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.’ Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said “Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him. After they had heard they king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

Contrary to many nativity scenes, the Magi did not visit Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. It was probably between Jesus’ first and second birthday. Jesus’ family had settled in Bethlehem and apparently stayed for a while. The Magi (Eugene Peterson calls them scholars) were astronomers who studied the maps in the sky. They instantly knew something was amiss when a large star shone in the sky above Jerusalem. Perhaps they saw the star – modern-day scholars believe it was probably the illumination of the planet Jupiter – from a distance and set out for it. Some scholars believe they came from far off lands or from the east. Some believe the Magi came separately from different parts of the world, such as Africa, Asia and Macedonia.

Judea was one of the four provinces ruled by King Herod the Great for Rome. He was a brutal leader and quite paranoid, even killing several members of his family to protect his thrown. Herod was shrewd and knew of the prophecies from the Old Testament. When the Magi rode through town, he inquired of them. He wanted to know every detail possible. While he was chatting with the Magi, he was plotting to overthrow the potential uprising caused by the birth of a tiny child. Bethlehem was only six miles south of Jerusalem.

The Magi were up to the challenge and didn’t share their secrets. They may have been Jews in a far-off land who traveled many months to arrive at the spot the brightly shining star designated. The star may have been a natural occurrence caused by the conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars in 6 B.C. But it’s also possible God created the star to announce the birth of his son. If he could conceive a virgin birth, could he not create a bright star in the sky?

When Herod said he wanted to worship the new king, too, the Magi kept silent to protect the baby Jesus. They went on their way and traveled another day until they found the new king. The Magi worshipped Jesus with gold, incense (frankincense) and myrrh. Perhaps this story is why we give gifts at Christmas. The gold would have allowed Mary and Joseph to live comfortably and to make their next journey. Mary and Joseph most likely would have been in Bethlehem at least several months so that Mary could recover from the birth, which may have been difficult, given her age and the fact it was her first child. And when the Magi were done, they took another route out of town so they could avoid Herod’s scheming ways and give Mary and Joseph more time.

These scholars did a quickie worship session with Jesus because of a fear of what King Herod would do to them – as well as Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. This act of worship by the Magi corresponds to Simeon’s blessing that this child Jesus would be "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" (Luke 2:32). But we can spend the rest of our lives at the feet of Jesus. We can worship him every day. Starting today.

Did you know: The song says, "On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 9 Ladies Dancing ..." which signifies the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

To view a link to “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” go to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ0pCzZExlw

10. Time to go – now!

Today’s scripture: Matt. 2:10-18 (NIV) When (the Magi) had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him. So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet (Hosea 11:1), “out of Egypt I called my son.” When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity, who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 31:15) was fulfilled: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

When a new ruler comes into power, it isn’t unusual to kill the entire family of the previous regime. It eliminates the revenge factor. But Herod’s actions fit his personality of paranoia. He ruled Judea and the surrounding area for 30 years and another four years after Jesus’ birth. Although he courted the friendship of the Jews and even tripled the size of the temple in Jerusalem, he was a ruthless leader. He wanted to eliminate any challenge to his thrown. He still worshipped pagan gods.

Bethlehem would have been a town of no more than a few hundred people, so there wouldn’t have been a lot of children killed. But every family in Bethlehem would have been touched by the murder of every boy under the age of 2. It may have taken a day or two to find all the boys. It may have been swift, it may have been prolonged. Imagine the agony the townspeople felt. Sons were thought to be more valuable than daughters, so this day would have been crushing to Bethlehem. It would have affected business for years to come. Some families may have lost two children, thus devastating the family workforce.

Bethlehem was a tiny town off the trade routes. It would be similar to a city not touched by today’s highways or freeways. Bethlehem gave Mary and Joseph a short refuge, but when Herod’s soldiers came calling, an angel of God had already warned Joseph to skedaddle – and fast. And fast Joseph did. He left in the dark of night. Not much is written of Joseph, but one thing can be said: He was obedient to God. When told what to do, he did it. He didn’t hem and haw and think about how it would affect him. That would have been a great trait to pass on to Jesus.

While in Egypt, there would have been other exiled Jews working in the neighboring country. The two or three years Mary and Joseph spent in Egypt also would have given them time to erase the stigma and shame that would have followed Mary by being pregnant out of wedlock. God seems to have eased her burdens by taking her away from her neighbors and kinfolk.

Did you know: The song says, "On the 10th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 10 Lords A-leaping ..." which signifies the Ten Commandments.

To view a link to "O Little Town of Bethlehem," go to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2egKS4d1oI

Day 11. Return home

Today’s scripture: Matt. 2:19-23 (NIV) After Herod died, an angel of the Lord, appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead. So he got up, took the child and his mother and went up to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

After Herod the Great died of an incurable disease, his kingdom was split into three parts, and his son Archelaus ruled over Jerusalem and Bethlehem, so Joseph took his family as far away as possible. Herod’s son, Antipas, ruled over Galilee, where Nazareth was located. They were farther away from Jerusalem, so life would have been quieter.

Nazareth was a small city, but it sat on the trade routes of southern Galilee. There was a Roman garrison there. Nazareth was a bustling city and was known to be quite independent, which the Jews despised. Jesus would have been privy to many different cultures while growing up there. Mary and Joseph would have had an easier time raising Jesus in Nazareth. They would have been surrounded by many Jewish families, and Jesus would have been in the temple studying the Word with his father many times.

Matthew paints the picture of the coming Messiah announced by God through the prophets, pointing to Jesus. But the Jews were looking for a conquering hero of Rome, not a humble carpenter from simple beginnings. They were looking for a rebirth of David, who was a mighty warrior king. Jesus was not a traditional king, though both Mary and Joseph came from the lineage of David. Instead, Jesus would be king one day, but he came to rule over hearts right now.

Throughout Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, you see God’s protective hand at every turn. There is treachery everywhere, yet God sends protective angels to look after the welfare of Mary and Joseph. God removed them from the stigma and shame that would have come from their home town of Nazareth. God is always one step ahead of danger. It is comforting to know that God is looking after us in a similar light. Be prepared to obey God as quickly as Joseph did in these accounts of his life. He set a great example of obedience to his son Jesus.

Did you know: The song says, "On the 11th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 11 Pipers Piping ..." which signifies the eleven faithful apostles.

Day 12: A celebratory light

Today’s scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7 (New International Version) The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.

3 You have enlarged the nation
and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you
as people rejoice at the harvest,
as men rejoice
when dividing the plunder.

4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat,
you have shattered
the yoke that burdens them,
the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor.

5 Every warrior's boot used in battle
and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning,
will be fuel for the fire.

6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7 Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

The Christmas season is supposed to be “the most wonderful time, of the year.” Sing along. You remember the words. Yet, for many, it is the most difficult time of the year. Loneliness, despair, anguish, and depression are at their highest from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. Suicide rates are at their highest during the holiday season. What gives? It doesn’t sound like such a happy occasion to me.

Isaiah was a prophet, a poet, and a politician. One Old Testament scholar called him the William Shakespeare of Hebrew literature. Isaiah’s vocabulary and use of imagery made him a writer unsurpassed in the Bible. The New Testament quotes Isaiah more than all the other prophets combined. Israel, like America today, was at a crossroads, and Isaiah rose to meet the challenge. He sought justice and heard the cries of distress. The prophet noted that the people “were walking in darkness … in the shadow of death.”

Sounds equally grim. The Israelites were consulting mediums and spiritists for guidance instead of God. They were desperate, but they gave only lip service to God. Isaiah saw the appearance of religion, but few righteous acts. His answer in 750 BC was the same as it is today: A light has “dawned,” and it is Jesus. He referred to himself as the “light of the world” in John 8:12. Darkness entails much of the world today and it includes addictions, depressions, shame, fear, prolonged illness, low self-esteem and even religion. The light of Jesus, however, gives hope to the world.

For those who come out of darkness to live in the light, Isaiah has a word for you: Stop moping around and show your joy. “They rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest” (vs. 3b) because “the prince of peace” will be born in Bethlehem. The shepherds followed the light. The Magi worshipped the Jesus. They all knew instantly that this baby in swaddling clothes was the Messiah, born to save the world. Jesus was born to reconcile us to God and to take away our burdens. He came so that we could live life abundantly. That means giving up your old life and following Jesus. Every time one lost soul steps into the light, the angels celebrate in heaven. We should be rejoicing, too.

Did you know: The song says, "On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 12 Drummer Drumming ..." which signifies the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed.

Epilogue

Today’s scripture: John 1:14 (NIV) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God's gift to the world was his one and only son, Jesus. He sent him so that he could know life on this earth. He was tempted in every way, the Bible says, yet he did not sin. He experienced what we see, feel, hear and taste every day. He had to. He couldn’t die for our sins unless he knew what it felt like to live as we do and face what we face. Yet, he was still perfect.

Jesus rested in Mary’s womb for nine months. He was born with two eyes, two ears, a nose and a mouth, two arms and two legs. When he came out, he cried when he was hungry. He suckled his mother’s breast. He pooped and he peed. He wore diapers (cloth, not Pampers). He would have fallen and skinned his knee and gone to cry in his mother’s arms. He would have played with other children. He would have fought with his brother, but when James hit him, Jesus did not retaliate. He may have had innocent crushes on neighbor girls. He was raised in a simple blue-collar home. We assume Joseph died sometime between Jesus being age 12 and 30, though it can’t be verified by scripture.

When he got older, he would have experienced hardship. He would have been hungry at some point. He wouldn’t have had chairs to build every day of his adult life as a simple carpenter in the sleepy town of Nazareth. He had friends as an adult. He went to temple on the Sabbath. After he started ministry, he felt shame and betrayal when his family became embarrassed by him and abandoned him. He felt disillusionment and sorrow. He felt agonizing physical pain on the cross. He had to work at being friends with John, Peter and James, and the other disciples. He never gossiped or whined.

But he was different. Though he was man, he was still God. We are called God’s “children” and “sons of God,” while Jesus was called one with the father. John 1:1 says that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” By doing so, he was the perfect teacher, the perfect example, the perfect sacrifice. Those who saw him and spent time with him were captivated by him. He was simply amazing. It’s up to you whether or not you get to know him.

Today’s prayer: Thank you Father, for sending your son to experience life on earth. Thank you for letting him feel and see and hear and speak. Thank you for giving him a mother and father who loved him and raised him right. Thank you for your gift of life. Amen.