The Nativity

In the last study we did, we seen the conception of John the Baptist transpired on June 24th 5 BC and the conception of our Lord Jesus Christ happened on December 25th that same year. With this understanding we arrive at the true birth of our Lord which happened nine months later on September 29th 4 BC, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Let’s start this study of the Nativity with Luke Chapter 2.

Luke 2:1-2 KJVS
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [2] (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)”

This tax put forth by Ceaser Augustus was a census: a registry which people of their own regions would have to report to.

Luke 2:3-4 KJVS
“And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city. [4] And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)”

Joseph was of the lineage of David. We can see his lineage given in Matthew Chapter 1. 

Luke 2:5 KJVS
“To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.”

With Joseph, Mary was also put into registry, thus being Joseph’s espoused wife, and pregnant with her child. We can see Mary’s lineage written about in Luke Chapter 3 which is her father Heli’s lineage who was obviously Joseph’s father-in-law. In Mary’s lineage through her father we can see she was also of the house of David. With both being from the house of David: we see in Joseph’s lineage, again given in Matthew Chapter 1, that he would come from Solomon, and in Mary’s lineage, as we can see in Luke Chapter 3, Mary would come from Nathan: both Nathan and Solomon being sons of David.

We also should add that Mary through her father was of the king line, and as we have seen in the last study Elizabeth, Mary’s cousin, was of the daughters of Aaron thus making Mary, through her mother, of the Levitical line as well. 

Luke 2:6-7 KJVS
“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.”

Here we see after the Word was made flesh through the conception, our Lord Jesus Christ was tabernacled among mankind through His birth thus fulfilling John Chapter 1 verse 14, the Word “dwelt amongst us” 

Therefore, we see the significance of our Lord Jesus Christ birth taking place on September 29th 4 BC, the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles.

Luke 2:8 KJVS
“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

Here we see shepherds abiding in the field at night keeping watch over their flock. This couldn’t have happened on December 25th because as Bullinger also points out in Appendix 179 in the Companions Bibe, shepherds wouldn’t be keeping flocks of sheep in the winter months.  Also, a census being imposed by Ceaser Augustus in the winter months wouldn’t be fair conditions for travel for the people who are registering.

What did these shepherds see that night in the feild? 

Luke 2:9-12 KJVS
“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 Savior, 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.”

A wonderful message from the Angel of the Lord, a message of glad tidings of a humble birth in meager conditions. The birth of a great Prince who is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords had taken place: for He is Emanuel, that is to say God with us! 

Luke 2:13-14 KJVS
“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.”

Good will towards all men indeed from our Heavenly Father through the Holy Spirit from the womb of an espoused virgin that was from both king and Levitical line. Unto us a child was born to take upon himself the sins of many becoming our High Priest, the unblemished Lamb that would be the one- and all-time sacrifice for our sins. 

Luke 2:16-20 KJVS
“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.”

A shepherd must always remain on watch, and what these shepherds seen that night had to be quite an experience indeed. If I may add, as those shepherds were on watch, the shepherds of these end times will be on watch for the return of the Kings of Kings who is not coming back as a Lamb but returning as a Lion at the Seventh Trumpet. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah will return at the end of the world which is the Harvest (Matthew Chapter 13 verse 37 through 42).

Moving on.

Luke 2:21 KJVS
“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.”

This eighth day was the last and great day of the Feast of Tabernacles (John Chapter 7:37), also these eight days were accomplished thus fulfilling our Lord’s circumcision per Leviticus Chapter 12:3.

Jesus, which means Jehovah’s Savior, also being the name that was given to the child by the Angel before He was conceived in Luke Chapter 1 verses 30 through 31.

Luke 2:22 KJVS
“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;”

This purification according to the Law of Moses is spoken about in Leviticus Chapter 12 verses 1 through 4. This purification would be forty days total until Mary and Joseph could present the beautiful and wonderful child to the Lord in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:23 KJVS
“(As it is written in the law of the Lord, every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)”

Verse 23 here is quoted from Exodus Chapter 13 verse 2. Jesus Christ is Holy to the Lord, no doubt, for He “is the first born of every creature: for by Him was all things created in heaven and that are in earth (Colossians Chapter 1 verses 15 through 18). He is the Word, the Light that shines through men.

Luke 2:24 KJVS
“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.”

This offer of sacrifice is written in Leviticus Chapter 12 verse 6.

We see the Law was still being fulfilled after Christ’s birth; for our Lord Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the Law and also the Prophets who prophesied of His coming, which is the first advent, long before the conception.

Luke 2:25-32 KJVS
“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.”

Simeon here quoted from the Prophets, which was Isaiah Chapter 42 verses 1 through 7.

Isaiah 42:1-7 KJVS
“Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. [2] He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. [3] A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. [4] He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law. [5] Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: [6] I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; [7] To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ who is Jehovah’s Savior, and God’s Salvation was born out of Bethlehem, which means house of Bread, being the Word of God that was made flesh. Our Lord Jesus Christ who is the image of the Father was created and born to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house. This prison being the prison of the majorities minds so to speak which the prince of this air who is Satan, even at this time, controls. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Light that shines into darkness, which darkness cannot overpower (John Chapter 1 verses 1 through 5).

Luke 2:33-34 KJVS
“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;”

Even today many speak against Christ who is the sign that was given to us all throughout the Old and New Testament: His Word! 

Fall here in verse 34 means stumbling block and we can see this stumbling block written about all over our Heavenly Fathers scriptures (Isaiah Chapter 8 verse 14, Matthew Chapter 21 verses 42 and 44, Acts Chapter 4 verse 11, Romans Chapter 9 verse 33, and 1st Corinthians Chapter 1 verse 23).

The Stone, in which many people stumble in unbelief, who is Jesus Christ “was set to naught by the builders as we can see in Acts Chapter 4 verse 11 and Psalms 118 verse 22). This means Christ who was rejected and treated in contempt became the Head of the Corner, for the rising of many (Matthew Chapter 11: 5-6) who will believe upon Him, repent and walk and remain in His way which is the truth and the life. Jesus Christ is the true Cornerstone, a foundation which we can set our lives upon. Our Rock! 

Simeon concludes.

Luke 2:35 KJVS
“(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

Simeon knew by the power of the Holy Spirit that years after our Lord and Saviors birth, He would be crucified upon the cross thus sending a sword of heartbreak through Mary. However as hard as that may have been for her, she knew that it had to come to pass so our Heavenly Father could resurrect Him for the greater good. The greater good being that all who will believe upon our Lord Jesus Christ and repent, will rise up and walk in the newness of the Spirit (Romans Chapter 7), guided by the Light of His Truth

The Nativity was fulfilled so we may believe upon Him who is the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among many. Our Lord Jesus Christ through His conception, birth, death and resurrection, being the Firstborn of every creature (Colossians Chapter 1) fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, made it possible for us to learn of Him and to eventually rise up and join Him in everlasting Life. Halleluiah!

Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life, that was born out of Bethlehem, who we can partake of by feasting upon His Words daily, for He is the Word that was there from the beginning, who foretold us all things.

This has been about our Lord and Saviors birth, the Nativity.

The end.