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In the November 2017 article, we discussed the one body in Christ. God's Word says Christ is far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come (Ephesians 1:21). God's Word also says it is Christ in you the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Because Christ is in us, we are far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.

The renewed mind-walk means we believe in our mind what God's Word says, practice God's Word, walk God's Word, do God's Word, say God's Word, live God's Word, and manifest God's Word in our day-by-day life. What God's Word declares, we do! We must renew our mind to walk with this unlimited power that we have in Christ.

During this time of the year, we celebrate Christmas and celebrate the birth of Jesus. Throughout this time of year, my family and I love driving around to see the various Christmas displays. Some of these include the celebration of Jesus' birth with differing displays of baby Jesus in the manger, Mary, Joseph, various animals, angels, the Star of David, the Wise Men, and/or the shepherds. All these differences cannot be right. Who was at Jesus' birth? Who was at the angelic announcement? Were the Wise Men there when Jesus was in the manger? Let's turn to God's Word and see what it says.

This month's teaching will discuss the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the angel, the birth of Jesus, and the Wise Men.

We will start with the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus. Let us read the details as laid out in Luke 1:26-38:

And in the sixth month [of Elisabeth's pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth ["Nazareth" means branch, sprout or shoot], To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And [but] when she saw him [the phrase "when she saw him" is not in any critical Greek texts], she was troubled at his saying [words], and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor [divine grace] with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb [God created sperm or soul life in Mary's womb], and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus ["Jesus" means the lord is salvation or the lord our savior]. He [Jesus] shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father [ancestor] David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Then said Mary unto the angel, how shall this be, seeing I know not a man [Mary had not had sexual intercourse in order to conceive a child ref. Gen 4:1].

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost [Spirit] shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow [God will create sperm in Mary] thee: therefore, also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month [the 6th month in the Hebrew calendar was December] with her, who was called barren.

For with God nothing shall be impossible [not anything spoken]. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Now let's answer the key questions from the above scriptures in order to understand what God's Word says about the angelic announcement.

Who: God, the Angel Gabriel, Mary, and Elisabeth.

What: And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And [but] when she saw [the phrase "when she saw him" is not in any critical Greek texts], she was troubled at his saying [words], and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor [divine grace] with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb [God created sperm or soul life in Mary's womb], and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus ["Jesus" means the lord is salvation or the lord our savior]. He [Jesus] shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father [ancestor] David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Where: The city of Galilee.

Why: He [Jesus] shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father [ancestor] David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

Now we have a better understanding of everyone involved, what was said, where it took place, and the reason it occurred.

Mary's reply to the angel's announcement was one of great believing. But when Joseph discovered she was with child before they had sexual intercourse, he was going to put her away secretly. But God send Gabriel, His angel, to tell Joseph to take Mary to be his wife.

Let us read Matthew 1:18-25:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together [sexual relationship], she was found with child of the Holy Ghost [Spirit]. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man [wanting to obey the Hebrew law], and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away preivately[secretly]. 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 [Spirit]. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people [Israel] from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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 [because of what God created]. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife [they had sexual intercourse]: And [but] knew her not [the sexual intercourse did not result in a child see Genesis 4:1] till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

Who: Mary, Joseph, Gabriel, the angel of the Lord.

What: 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 [Spirit].

Where: It doesn't say where this took place. It occurred while Joseph was asleep.

Why: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people [Israel] from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 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 [because of what God created].

Because Mary believed God's Word, God sent an angel to explain to Joseph why Mary was pregnant. The angel explained to Joseph that Mary's pregnancy was through the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill God's Word and prophecy. Romans 8:28 tells us:

And we [believers] know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Mary was called according to God's purpose.

Now, let's understand more about the birth of Jesus as documented Luke 2:1-20:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed [registered]. (And this taxing [registration] was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed [registered], everyone into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem [house of bread]; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed [registered], with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so, it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you [shepherds]; Ye shall find the babe [Greek word "brephos" and Aramaic word "ula" - both mean a newly delivered baby] wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

This last verse is very important because later we will see the Wise Men visit Jesus when he was NOT a newly delivered babe.

Let's continue with Luke 2:13:

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Who: Host of angels, Joseph, Mary, shepherds, and the baby Jesus.

What: When Mary gave birth to Jesus, only Joseph was there. The angels told the shepherds that the Savior was born. After hearing the angelic announcement after Jesus' birth, the shepherds came to see Jesus who was wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Where: Judaea, the city of David, which is called Bethlehem.

Why: The angels told the shepherds, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

God's Word says that only Mary and Joseph were there when Jesus was born. Soon after Jesus's birth, while he was still wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, the shepherds came. Based on God's Word, there were no animals or Wise Men present when Jesus was born. The shepherds arrived shortly afterward.

Now let us read God's Word and see when the Wise Men visited Jesus. Matthew 2:1-11 tells us about this visit:

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews [Judean] for we have seen his star [Jupiter] in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 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. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star [Jupiter] appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child [the Aramaic word "talya" or the Greek word "paidion"]; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

Herod instructed the wise men to "search diligently for the young child." The words "young child" are translated from the Aramaic "talya" and the Greek word "paidion." The Word of God distinguishes between a newborn baby and a young child by using different Aramaic and Greek words for baby and young child.

The shepherds saw Jesus as a newborn baby ["ula" or "brephos"] in Luke 2:12-16 on the night of his birth. When the Wise Men arrived more than a year and three months later in Matthew 2:8-11, the Bible tells us Jesus was a young child or "talya" or "paidion." Understanding this difference is critical to understanding Herod's actions after the Wise Men left. It is very important to look at the original writings in Aramaic and Greek in order to get an accurate translation in English.

Look at Matthew 2:9-11:

When they [the Wise Men] had heard the king [Herod], they departed; and, lo, the star [Jupiter], which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child [talya or paidion] was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they [the Wise Men] were come into the house, they saw the young child [talya or paidion] 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.

Who: Wise Men, Herod the king, chief priests and scribes, Mary, the young child, Jesus.

What: The Wise Men arrived to see Jesus. It is important to note the Bible says there were three gifts. It does not say there were three Wise men.

Where: Jerusalem and then Bethlehem in a house (not a manger). When the wise men came to Bethlehem, they went "into the house, they saw the young child [talya or paidion] 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."

Why: The Wise Men came from the east to Jerusalem because they had followed "his star [Jupiter] in the east." The Wise Men asked Herod "where is he that is born King of the Jews [Judean] for we have seen his star [Jupiter] in the east, and are come to worship him."

We read in God's Word that the Wise Men visited Jesus in a house and only Mary was present. The shepherds were not there, Joseph was not there, the manger was not there. It was the Wise Men, Mary, and Jesus.

These verses only take twenty minutes to read. By taking the time to fill in the Who, What, Where and Why, you can learn a lot about the truth of God's Word. We could spend many months expounding on the above scriptures and cross-referencing it with prophecy from the Old Testament. We must believe God's Word is His Will. God said what He intended and meant what He said. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, "You study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

I thank God for His son the Lord Jesus Christ, and what God has wrought in Christ, so that we can have eternal life. For this cause, I also thank God without ceasing, because, when you received the Word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the Word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

In summary, we discussed the angelic announcement of the birth of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the angel, the shepherds, the birth of Jesus, and the Wise Men. Now, when you drive around and look at the various Christmas displays that feature the birth of Christ, you will know in your heart and your mind what God's Word told us about this event.

Father, I thank you for your son the Lord Jesus Christ. For you so loved the world, that you gave your only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For Father you sent your son into the world not to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. I am so thankful during this holiday season for your grace, mercy, and love that You have shown us through your only begotten son the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to God our Father in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward all people. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

May you have a blessed Christmas, and a joyous New Year.

The January 2018 teaching will be summarizing this past year's teachings, and set the theme for 2018.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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