Rebel to Redeemed…Sharing HIS Kind of Love
The Wise Men have worshiped at the feet of the Christ child or baby Jesus. They then bestow three gifts to him of gold, frankincense and myrrh. When they leave, they probably planned to head back to Jerusalem and inform King Herod of the child’s location as he requested. “We do not find that the wise men promised to come […]
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The Wise Men have met with King Herod and been sent on their way to Bethlehem, where prophecy foretold of the Christ child’s birth. The journey to Bethlehem was only six or seven miles from where they were. It was not a long journey for them. “ A road led south to Bethlehem, which was about six miles from Jerusalem, so […]
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Last time, we discussed the Wise Men’s query about the newborn. King Herod receives word of their arrival and is nervous. Matthew Henry says, “Herod was now an old man, and had reigned thirty-five years; this king was but newly born, and not likely to enterprise any thing considerable for many years; yet Herod is jealous of him. “ “Herod then […]
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Last time, we talked about the Wise Men journey to find the newborn, King of the Jews. They did not question, but believed. They expect to find everyone worshipping this child, but arrive to discover no one knows where the child is. Scripture tells us that the word of their arrival quickly reached Herod and he was terrified. He was […]
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Last time, we took a look at who the wise men were. Matthew does not tell us how many wise men there were or their names. However, Armenian tradition identifies the “Magi of Bethlehem” as Balthasar of Arabia, Melchior of Persia, and Gaspar {Caspar} of India. The Western Christian Church has accepted this tradition and regards these three men as saints. The wise men have […]
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In the past years, we have studied the eyewitness to Christmas from the viewpoint of the Virgin Mary, Elizabeth and Zacharias, Joseph, and the angels. This year, we are going to journey with the Wise Men or Magi to visit the Christ Child. “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem village, Judah territory— this was during Herod’s kingship—a band of scholars […]
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Time has passed and Jesus is probably a young toddler by this point. The Wise Men come to visit Mary, Joseph and Jesus, but with them arrives a threat from King Herod. Herod is afraid that this “king” will take his place and more importantly his throne and kingdom. When they left, an angel appeared to Joseph. Once again, the […]
Read more Last week, we were with Joseph, as an angel came upon him in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife. We are fast-forwarding a few months and Mary and Joseph has travelled to Bethlehem, where they found a stable and Mary gave birth to a tiny infant named Jesus. One can only imagine how the angels […]
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The angel has appeared twice already to Zacharias and Mary, but He is about to appear a third time. This time to Joseph, who is engaged to Mary. Imagine Joseph’s shock and hurt when Mary told him she was expecting. Scripture tells us that he was trying to decide what to do with her and to put her away quietly. […]
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We have been taking a look at the Eyewitnesses to Christmas, as we’ve covered Mary, Joseph and Elisabeth and Zacharias. What better view of heaven than those witnesses that had the full view from both heaven and earth. That of the angels. An angel is a spiritual being acting as an agent, attendant or messenger of God. Often they are […]
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Last week, we took a look at the song of Zacharias and how he foretold that his son would point the way to redemption and the plan of salvation. In closing this series on the Eyewitness to Christmas, the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, let’s take a look at the child they had. The last verse in Luke 1 gives […]
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Last week, we witnessed the birth of John the Baptist. Everyone that was present was filled with fear and wonder at the work of God, even when they did not understand what He was doing. Zacharias and Elisabeth have named their child John. With this announcement, Zacharias was finally able to speak. Upon being able to speak, the first thing […]
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Last week, Mary arrived to visit with Elisabeth and Zacharias. When Mary arrived, Elisabeth was filled with the holy spirit. The child within her began to leap for joy when Mary arrived. We know that Mary stayed for several months. It is possible {although we are not told} that she may have been present at the birth of John the […]
Read more Last week, we took a look at Elisabeth’s reaction when Zacharias arrived home with the news of his visit from Gabriel. Elisabeth was filled with wonder at all that was happening and could feel her shame removed. The scripture then moves to Gabriel’s visit to Mary, before bringing the two stories together. Upon hearing the news of Elisabeth, Mary has […]
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Last week, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias when he entered the holy of holies. He was struck mute due to his disbelief. When we last saw Zacharias he was rushing home, undoubtedly to tell Elisabeth. Imagine her surprise when he returned home and was unable to speak. He must have quickly found a tablet to write out all that […]
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Last week we began our series on Elisabeth and Zacharias in our Eyewitness to Christmas series. We discovered that God was about to accomplish the impossible in their lives. Luke 1:8-23 (ASV) 8 Now it came to pass, while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course, Zacharias was a priest. He served God. 9 […]
Read more In our series eyewitness to Christmas, we viewed the events of Christ birth from the view point of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and his earthly father, Joseph. But, there were many others that witnessed and lived these events. This group included an older, mature couple that was related to Mary. This couple gave birth to the forerunner of Christ […]
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