Christmas

1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; 3 and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; 4 and Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; 5 and Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; 6 and Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias; 7 and Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa; 8 and Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias; 9 and Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias; 10 and Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias; 11 and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon: 12 and after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel; 13 and Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor; 14 and Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud; 15 and Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 and knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS Matthew 2 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 15 and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judæa in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 23 and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. 39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth. 40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

41 Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. 43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. 44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. 45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. 46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. 47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. 48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. 49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? 50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. 51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Yes, I agree that Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is also fully God and fully man. As man, he also has an earthly genealogy. (Yes, I also believe in the virgin birth)

Mary is not mentioned in Luke 3:23. Women's names were not commonly used among the Jews as genealogical links (and in many eastern cultures including the one that I come from). We know from Matthew 1 that Joseph's father was a man called Jacob. So Eli had to be the father-in-law of Joseph and the father of Mary. In the original language, the genealogy is presented in a very distinct pattern, except on one, where Joseph is mentioned. This would suggest that Joseph was only mentioned because of his marriage to Mary.

Good insight.. You explain how the Luke genealogy is from May's line (vs. Matthew's genealogy from Joseph's line) and Luke 3:23 very well. However, I can't find any direct scriptural reference to Jeconiah being the cause of God's curse. I thought the curse issue with Joseph's line came before Jeconiah. The two lines diverge with Solomon (Joseph's line) and Nathan (Mary's line), both sons of David. I actually thought that it might have been something to do with Solomon but I'm not sure (more research when I have time). Anyway, a wonderful explanation.

A couple of interesting notes on this:

Apparently a baby's blood comes only from the father and not the mother. Apparently food and waste is transferred in the placenta but no blood from the mother. The blood of Christ was purely from the Father and not from Mary.

Also, as you may know, the four beasts in Revelation 4:7 are the revelation of the four pictures of who Jesus is and corresponds to the four gospels. Matthew reveals Jesus as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, in Mark he is the working ox or calf, in Luke he is revealed as the Son of man, and in John he is the Son of God who will return as a flying eagle. So Jesus, as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah in Matthew, is shown though Joseph's line of kings as you point out. In Luke, Jesus, as the Son of man, is shown through Mary's line from which which Jesus' actual human flesh came. How wonderful is our God!

Show forth, we pray thee, Lord, thy power and come, and with thy great strength assist us, so that by the aid of thy grace, the work that is hindered by our sins may be hastened by thy merciful forgiveness: who art God, living and reigning with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever. Amen. —Opening Prayer for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 1962 Missal

Yes, of all the people in the Bible, I look up to Joseph more than anyone. Our country would do so much better if we had more “Josephs” around. While Jesus was the Son of God, Joseph was more or less his “adoptive” earthly father.

Merry Christmas to everyone at FR! Despite the trials and travails our country is going through, keep your faith in the Lord and know that during this season, He proves that He keeps his promises and that He loves us.

Why did the Magi recognize Jesus as King of King? What drew them to Bethlehem on that epic journey? A Planetary alignment that occurs once in 25 million years.

“The Horoscope of Jesus is even more impressive than the Magi could possibly have known.” says the noted astrologer and biblical scholar Jayj Jacobs (son of Reverend Jacobs). He describes it as “the most powerful horoscope the heavens have ever drawn, and perhaps ever will”. The birth chart is “awesome... it is overwhelming in power, compassion and miraculous healing ability.” says Hannibal Giudice, co-author of “The Message of The Magi” a play about The Magi’s discovery of the horoscope, and the motivations for their journey.

Two thousand years ago the heavenly alignments were of such monumental implication as to compel the wisest astrologers of those times to embark on perhaps the most significant journey in the history of the world. The rarest of all celestial phenomena was unfolding in the heavens, a once in 25,000 years meeting of the two zodiacal cycles - the Tropical and Sidereal. It was an astrological encounter between the Alpha and Omega - the beginning and the end of the longest recognized astrological cycle. It was the dawning of the new age of Pisces and the beginning of a whole new grand cycle of ages.

Additionally, in 7 BCE, the planets Jupiter and Saturn were conjoining each other 3 times is the sign Pisces. That is to say, the planets that indicate the birth of kings were meeting in the sign traditionally associated with the Jews. Finally, in the first hours of March 1st, the Sun, Moon, Venus, and the undiscovered Uranus, joined the king-makers in Pisces. Dr. David H. Menke, executive director at the Copernican Space Science Center calculates that it was a “planetary lineup that happens once in five million years”.

God’s timing was perfect. NEVER had there been anything like the Pax Romana. Under Roman rule, the ‘known’ world was at peace, as Rome had conquered all her enemies. This meant that one could go from (what is now) the UK, into Asia and Africa and there was peace and a common language, in addition to local languages. The Gospel could then be taught throughout the Roman Empire. NEVER had so many lands and people been at peace! NEVER could so many disparate peoples been introduced to GOD and His plan for Salvation!

Paul’s three year imprisonment in Rome meant that he could preach to the ‘movers and shakers’ in Rome. He was apparently guarded by the Praetorian Guard, two men at a time, in four hour shifts. His preaching had an effect! Those Praetorians who heard and believed, soon spread the teaching among the upper crust of Roman society, to the point that Christianity was accepted as a religion in the Empire less than 300 years after Jesus’ Resurrection and accepted as the ‘official’ religion of the Empire 350 years after Jesus’ Resurrection!

Very well stated.

This meant that one could go

One could add the detail that the Roman roads' completion was instrumental in facilitating the Gospel's spread.

This meant that one could go from (what is now) the UK, into Asia and Africa

Another perfection was God's choice of Canaan as Abraham's new home two thousand years prior. It lies at the juncture of the world's three main continents.

God doesn't miss a trick!

Thanks! Yes, our God is indeed wonderful. What a miracle that the Eternal One entered time... the Omnipotent God became a tiny infant... the Lord of Glory veiled that Glory in a human body.

As mentioned earlier, the line of David was not perfect. There were those who greatly disobeyed God. Even David himself had sinned greatly. However God in his great mercy forgave and restored David, and ensured that his line will provide us the great Messiah-King.

There are four women (other that Mary) mentioned in Matthew 1. Kind of unusual that many women are mentioned from a genealogy from those days. It is interesting to consider their backgrounds- especially considering that this is the genealogy of the Messiah-King, and God found it worthy to mention them in the line of His Son. Two of the women, Rahab and Ruth were gentiles. Tamar and Rahab were harlots, and Bathsheba had committed adultery with David. It sort of speaks to us of Christ bringing salvation to sinners, grace to the gentiles. Race, gender, background are not obstacles to come to Him.

The genealogy ends with Mary in verse 16. It speaks to us of Christ as the Seed of the Woman.

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