A Radically Different Perspective on the "Christmas Story"

The arrival of Jesus on the earth unleashed a spiritual and physical war between heaven and the powers of darkness unlike any other war in all of history.  The nativity scene, so peaceful and pure, is the beginning of an invasion - an invasion of Earth that continues to this day.  A we are soldiers in this war - the church - continuing to fight evil and spiritual darkness through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

The Battle Scene

The great epic of the birth of Christ as told by John in a vision in Revelation 12:1-13, 17

"Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.  Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth." 

 "And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.  She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.  And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.  Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.  

And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.  So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.  Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child.... And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  NKJV

The Prophecy

There is war in heaven and Earth, and Jesus is our savior and victor in this battle.  It was prophesied in the Garden of Eden when the serpent had murdered its inhabitants and caused them to sin. Genesis 3:14-15

So the Lord God said to the serpent:

“Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.  And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel."    NKJV

Prophecies continued, which named the place, and the time for the coming of Christ.  In approximately 700 B.C. the prophet Micah specifically named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah.  Micah 5:2

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,  from ancient times.”   NIV

Daniel, in his recounting of the sweeping prophecy given by the angel Gabriel, presents a formula to calculate the time of the Messiah’s presentation as King of the Jews and His subsequent execution.  This was based on an unmistakable event, a decree to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Jews returned from exile in Babylon.  Careful study of this prophecy clearly define the boundaries in history when this event could have taken place – even to the very day. See Daniel 9:24-27

The Psalms (132:10) even indicated that the Messiah would come from the tribe of Judah.  Isaiah (7:14) prophesied that He would be born of a virgin --  not just of a young woman, that isn’t much of a sign.

The Magi

While the Jewish leadership ignored these prophecies, others were waiting in expectation.  The Magi were from a hereditary priesthood of Persian origin – skilled in the art of oneiromancy (the interpretation of dreams) and deeply influential with high government officials in both the Babylonian and Medo-Persian empires.  Esther 1:13 recounts an example where the king of Persia (the title given to a king of Persia was Ahaseurus) was troubled by a dream and called upon the ‘Magi” for an interpretation.

The religion of Persia and the Magi had much in common with Jewish beliefs: a Creator who was author of all good, in turn opposed by a malevolent evil spirit.  Each had a hereditary priesthood, performed sacrifice for atonement of sins, had a concept of clean and unclean animals, and a priesthood was associated with prophecy and insight into the nature of God.  It was not astrology, but oneiromancy that was the key to their power and eventual accession to the kings court.

Daniel was appointed chief of the Magi by Nebuchadrezzar in Babylon.  This position of rank within the royal court in Jeremiah chapter 39 as the Nergal-shar-ezer.  Given the position was hereditary, and Daniel was of Jewish descent, this may have been one of the reasons they tricked the king and caused Daniel to go to the lions. (Daniel 6).  Daniel served the kings of both Babylonian and then the Medo-Persian king Cyrus.  The Magi also survived the changing of leadership, and became powerful enough that they attempted place one of their own, Gaumata, on the throne after the death of Cyrus and the “suicide” of Cambyses.  Darius killed the conspirators and gained the throne, but allowed the Magi to remain in court.

After being conquered by the Greeks, and being subsumed to the Seleucid empire, a revolt by the Parthians in the 3rd century brought the Magi again into political power.  As a constitutional council, called “Megistanes” was formed with the express purpose of electing a king and serving as his advisers.

New Testament History

Since the time of Cyrus, the Jewish people were viewed as allies to the Persians, who later emerged from under the Seleucid empire as the newly independent Parthian empire.  The Parthians were enemies of Rome. In 63 BC Pompey sacked Jerusalem, then attacked outposts of the Parthian empire, but was defeated.  The Parthians counter-attacked into parts of Samaria and Syria.  Roman rule was re-established under Antipater, the father of Herod, but attacks and counter-attacks continued with Mark Antony invading Parthia in 37 BC, and being defeated.  This resulted, with the help of Parthian collaboration, in Jerusalem being temporarily freed.  With the help of Augustus Caesar, Herod was able to secure the title “King of the Jews”, but took three years and help of Roman troops to recapture Jerusalem.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Herod was old, Augustus Caesar was old, and the king of Parthia, Phraates IV was old and unpopular.  The time was ripe for rebellion and new leadership.  Many Jews continued to live in the regions of the old Babylonian, Persian and Parthian empires.  Now in Jerusalem, there is a sudden appearance of ancestral allies of the Jews, armed with cavalry, led by Magi, who are the “king makers” of a rival empire, asking the paranoid and ill Herod “where is the one who was ‘born’ king of the Jews?”.  Political intrigue was at its highest pitch.

The Arrival

God begins His "assault on the beachhead" against the forces of evil.

Matthew 2:1-12 "Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews?  For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”  When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:  

[Micah 5:2] ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.  And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”  When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.  

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.  And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.  Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way… NKJV

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been outwitted by the wise men, flew into a rage. He gave orders to massacre all the male children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, in keeping with the time he had learned from the wise men. HCSB

Ironically, the Magi, having found the Messiah and bestowed their gifts, were then warned in a dream (a most acceptable form of communication to the Magi) departed in such a way as to avoid Herod.

The Traditions of the "Wise Men"

In the 3rd century, Tertullian called the Magi “kings”, possibly in reference to these passages:

Psalm 68: 29  Because of Your temple at Jerusalem, Kings will bring presents to You.  NKJV

Psalm 72:10-11  May the kings of Tarshish and the coasts and islands bring tribute, the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. Let all kings bow down to him, all nations serve him  NKJV

A 6th century chronicle called Exerpia Latina Garbari names the three Magi as Balthasar, Melchior, and Gasper; each representing a region of Asia, Africa and Europe.  This was elaborated in a 14th century Armenian tradition as being the Kings of Arabia, Persia, and India.

Current Eastern Orthodox tradition is that there were 12 Magi (and Christmas is observed on January 6th).  Roman Catholic tradition is that there were 3 Magi (and they visited Jesus on Epiphany on January 6th).

We know the “wise men” were not women.  Otherwise they would have:

• asked directions
• arrived on time
• helped deliver the baby
• cleaned the stable
• made a hot dish
• brought practical gifts
• and there would now be peace on Earth….

What Happened to the Magi?

Were the Magi faithful believers?

Their knowledge was imperfect, but they acted with great faith.  What a great example they set for us – undertaking an arduous, dangerous journey on the thinnest shreds of evidence.  They worshipped the baby Jesus for who He was, the King of the Jews.  They offered Him the gifts of kingship (gold), priesthood (frankincense) and death (myrrh).  They understood the significance of these events and what the birth of Jesus represented.  God spoke to the Magi in a dream for their preservation, and kept the story in Matthew’s gospel account for all the world to know. This author predicts these magi will be present in heaven.

The Star of Bethlehem

The “Star of Bethlehem” clearly has scriptural significance because of the reaction of Herod’s scribes, who were directed to look into the books of the Prophets.  That strongly implies the Magi knew of the prophecies of Daniel, Micah, and Isaiah.

Isaiah 60:1-3  Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord shines over you.  For look, darkness covers the earth, and total darkness the peoples; but the Lord will shine over you, and His glory will appear over you.  Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your radiance.  NKJV

Theories to explain the star

1 – an unidentified comet
2 – a supernova in the Crab Nebula
3 – planetary convergence  
4 – direct miracle from God  

The purpose of the star is clearly noted: to authenticate and publicize the Messiah incarnate.  Likely the “sign” was noted by the Magi months in advance, giving them time to plan a large scale expedition across several hundred miles of hostile territory.  It is possible the sign was visible in Bethlehem with the shepherds, but there is no indication the shepherds saw a star.  Some time (months) later, Herod murdered children up to two years old, not knowing how much time had elapsed, but knowing when the Magi had visited, thus we can safely assume it was not visible to those 'not looking for it'.

When Did All of These Things Happen?

We know for sure it wasn't December 25th 1 A.D.  

Shepherds do not camp out in open fields with their sheep in Judea after October.  And Herod died January 14th 1 B.C., fully 23 months before the “established” date for Christ's birth.  Based on reckonings from the rule of Augustus Caesar, Tertullian (born 160 AD) states that Jesus was born in the 41st year of his rule.  That places Jesus’ birth at 2 B.C.  Irenaeus (born about 100 AD) also substantiates the 2 B.C. birth year.

From the biblical reference to John the Baptist's birth, we know John's father, Zecharias, served in the temple and saw the angel the week of July 13th, 3 B.C.  If John was conceived shortly thereafter, he was probably born in April 2 B.C.  If he was born on April 19th 2 B.C., this was on the Feast of Passover.

Since Jesus was five months younger than John, that would likely place Jesus' birth around September, 2 B.C.  If Jesus were born on a feast day (very likely), this would have been the 29th of September 2 B.C.  This is also the 1st of Tishri, which is the Feast of Trumpets, signifying the beginning of the Jewish new year.  Since Christ's death was on Passover, April 6, 32 AD (the 14th of Nisan), and His resurrection on the Feast of First Fruits (the 17th of Nisan), and His Ascension was on the Feast of Pentecost, it seems reasonable God had arranged Christ’s birthday to also fall on a key prophetic date on the calendar.

Why Was a “Virgin Birth” Necessary?

A virgin birth was absolutely necessary, but not for all the reasons you may think... 

In the line of Judah, a corrupt king (Jeconiah) was dethroned by God through the invasion of the Babylonians.  God had placed a curse on his descendants that none would ever be kings through that lineage.  You have to really work hard to make God this angry....

Jeremiah 22-24-30 “As surely as I live,” declares the LORD, “even if you, Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, were a signet ring on my right hand, I would still pull you off.  I will hand you over to those who seek your life, those you fear—to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to the Babylonians.  I will hurl you and the mother who gave you birth into another country, where neither of you was born, and there you both will die.  You will never come back to the land you long to return to.”  

Is this man Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) a despised, broken pot, an object no one wants? Why will he and his children be hurled out, cast into a land they do not know?  O land, land, land, hear the word of the LORD! This is what the LORD says:

“Record this man as if childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime, for none of his offspring will prosper, none will sit on the throne of David or rule anymore in Judah.”

How could Jesus assume the throne of David if God also said no descendant of the line of kings of Judah would ever be on the throne? Does this contradict the promise made by the angel Gabriel to Mary?

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” HCSB

Matthew’s genealogy includes Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) in verse 11, noting the time of the Babylonian exile, and concludes with Joseph.

But Mary’s genealogy is different.  From David, Luke turns to Nathan, a brother of Solomon, down to Mary, who is the actual “blood kin” of Jesus.  This bypasses the entire blood curse of Jeconiah.  In Jewish law, legal inheritance passed through the mother if there were no brothers, and the woman had married within her tribe.  In this case, Mary was of the tribe of Judah.  The technical details matter.

Epilogue

So the invasion has begun – the final chapter in the defeat of Satan would be only 33 years later, at Calvary.  God Incarnate, humbly appearing in a drool-stained feeding trough, who is the very Creator of matter and time, helpless and confined a baby's body -- started His triumphant march across the globe in a poor, insignificant corner of the vast Roman empire.  He has come here to destroy the kingdoms, powers, principalities and authorities of this Earth, and claim His inheritance and bring in His everlasting Kingdom!

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Scripture citations are from:  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) © 2009 Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville TN or New King James Version®. (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson