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This passage presents a problem for some. How literally should we take every passage in scripture? The "whole world" in the case of our lesson refers to the whole of the land of Palestine. This becomes obvious when we check out the historical record. This difference does not take away from the spiritual message that follows. But it does point up the fact that God's work is carried out through history. The Bible is not just a book of philosophy. Instead of just sending us a message telling us what to do and what to believe, God sent His Son. He acted in history! We can check most of history to confirm it. I heard some church members asking why God did not just send a book of instruction to Adam and Eve and leave it at that. We also have to use that most uncommon thing, common sense! If Adam and Eve had obeyed, they (we?) might not have needed a guide.
If my children obeyed everything I told them to do without arguing, I wouldn't need to lay down the law.
All the locations and dates of this passage can be checked out. If we check we see that Jesus was born about 3 or 4 BC. That should make no difference to our faith. If you see someone raised from the dead, you don't need a record of the exact date and time and location!
I am not as worried about the stable or room Jesus was born in. It seems that Joseph must have been the midwife! When I think of my own children as babies, it does make me wonder if Jesus cried when he needed to be changed or needed his lunch since He was supposed to be sinless! Maybe our babies crying out for their needs is not sin! It does make you wonder about the teen years, though.
I think there is a point in Jesus having visits from both wise men and shepherds. It shows that there was no class distinction, since one was the upper crust and the other were low cast. The wise men saw a star, but the shepherds saw a whole batch of angels! It took more to get them moving since they probably didn't sit around reading messianic predictions when the sheep were grazing.
There is not much you can write about Jesus' life at this point. All you can do is shout praises to the Lord who does things in his way. His ways are not our ways. Some might think that if they were God they would bring Jesus into the world full grown and not waste all that time having him grow up and learn the carpenter trade!
Christmas is a time where God shows his love in a most humble way. What is more humble than a baby, and especially one born in a stable! I hope we learn a lesson about our God from this!
If my children obeyed everything I told them to do without arguing, I wouldn't need to lay down the law.
All the locations and dates of this passage can be checked out. If we check we see that Jesus was born about 3 or 4 BC. That should make no difference to our faith. If you see someone raised from the dead, you don't need a record of the exact date and time and location!
I am not as worried about the stable or room Jesus was born in. It seems that Joseph must have been the midwife! When I think of my own children as babies, it does make me wonder if Jesus cried when he needed to be changed or needed his lunch since He was supposed to be sinless! Maybe our babies crying out for their needs is not sin! It does make you wonder about the teen years, though.
I think there is a point in Jesus having visits from both wise men and shepherds. It shows that there was no class distinction, since one was the upper crust and the other were low cast. The wise men saw a star, but the shepherds saw a whole batch of angels! It took more to get them moving since they probably didn't sit around reading messianic predictions when the sheep were grazing.
There is not much you can write about Jesus' life at this point. All you can do is shout praises to the Lord who does things in his way. His ways are not our ways. Some might think that if they were God they would bring Jesus into the world full grown and not waste all that time having him grow up and learn the carpenter trade!
Christmas is a time where God shows his love in a most humble way. What is more humble than a baby, and especially one born in a stable! I hope we learn a lesson about our God from this!
