1. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

2. December 25th / The Birth of Christ
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
December 25th / The Birth of Christ
336AD – 1st recorded celebration of Christmas – Constantine (1st Christian Emperor)
Pope Julius 1 declares December 25 – Christ birthday. (Nicene Council -325AD)
Winter Solstice – Saturnalia - Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the unconquered sun) birthday of the Pagan Sun god Mithras
The Annunciation – March 25
Symbol – Light in Darkness – What Time of Day Was Christ Born? - Carols

3. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

4. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS Matthew’s Birth Story
80-90AD – 31 verses – Joseph’s Point-Of-View
Genealogy - from Abraham to Joseph
14 Generations from Abraham to David
14 Generations from David to the Exile
14 Generations from Exile to Messiah
Mary with Child. Angel visits Joseph in a dream.
Jesus born in Bethlehem and Wise Men led to Jerusalem by a star.
Herod is afraid, Priests and Scribes identify Bethlehem. Herod sends Wise Men.
Star leads them to Bethlehem. They do homage to the Christ child – bring gifts.
Wise Men warned in a dream not to return to Herod.
Angel in dream warns Joseph to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt.
Herod orders the slaughter of the Innocence.
Herod dies and the Angel of the Lord tells Joseph that it is safe to return to Israel. Later an Angels tells Joseph to make Galilee the family’s new home.

5. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS 5 Dreams That Offer God’s Guidance Four to Joseph
One to the Magi.
5 Prophetic Fulfillments
Mary’s Virginal Conception
Birthplace of the Messiah
Departure of the Holy Family From Egypt
Slaughter of the Innocents Henry Ossawa Tanner ‘Flight to Egypt’
Nazareth – Jesus the Nazarene
Parallel’s the Birth-Story of Moses:
Pharaoh = Herrod
Drowning of Jewish Males = Slaughter of the Innocents
Dreams & Wise Men
Flight From and To Egypt

6. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS Luke’s Birth Story 80-100AD – 132 verses
Dedication to Theophilus
The angel Gabriel announces the birth of John
to Zechariah. He scoffs and is made mute.
Gabriel appears to Mary and announces the
birth of Christ.
Mary visits Elizabeth. Unborn John greets
Jesus. Mary sings the Magnificat.
John is born. Elizabeth & Zechariah name him.
Zechariah sings the Benedictus.
Joseph & Mary journey to Bethlehem. Christ is born in a manger.
Angels appear to the shepherds and proclaim the Messiah. Shepherds go to Bethlehem and worship Christ, then praise God.
Jesus is circumcised and then presented at the temple. Simeon recognizes him as the Messiah and sings The Nunc Dimittis. Anna says prayers of thanksgiving for the Messiah.
12-Year old Christ at the Temple.
Genealogy – From Christ to Adam.

7. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS Luke’s Themes
Elizabeth & Zechariah = Abraham & Sarah
John vs. Jesus
Elizabeth, Mary, & Anna
Hymns:
Mary – the Magnificat
Zechariah – The Benedictus
Simeon – The Nunc Dimittis
5. Peace, Good Will to Men
6. Most Familiar Story:
Census
Angels
Shepherds
Manger
7. Longest Story – extends further into Jesus’ childhood.

8. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS

9. Context – The Roman World
THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
Context – The Roman World

10. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
Context – The Jewish World

11. THE FIRST CHRISTMAS
Who was the King of the Jews? Elizabeth Nourse ‘Mother & Child’ Who is the Son of God? How is the birth of Christ relevant for us today?