Philo, Josephus and John

The Christmas Story began in the mind of God, long before the creation of the world.

The Sea from Joppa

Josephus the Historian writes it this way: About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man, if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who performed surprising deeds and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Christ. And when, upon the accusation of the principal men among us, Pilate had condemned him to a cross, those who had first come to love him did not cease. He appeared to them spending a third day restored to life, for the prophets of God had foretold these things and a thousand other marvels about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still to this day not disappeared. (Book 18, Chapter 3, 3)

A path down to the Sea of Galilee

Philo says it this way: “Of other lawgivers, some have set forth what they considered to be just and reasonable, in a naked and unadorned manner, while others, investing their ideas with an abundance of amplification, have sought to bewilder the people, by burying the truth under a heap of fabulous inventions. But Moses, rejecting both of these methods, the one as inconsiderate, careless, and unphilosophical, and the other as mendacious and full of trickery, made the beginning of his laws entirely beautiful, and in all respects admirable, neither at once declaring what ought to be done or the contrary, ... embracing the creation of the world, under the idea that the law corresponds to the world and the world to the law, and that a man who is obedient to the law, being, by so doing, a citizen of the world, arranges his actions with reference to the intention of nature, in harmony with which the whole universal world is regulated. accordingly no one, whether poet or historian, could ever give expression in an adequate manner to the beauty of his ideas respecting the creation of the world; for they surpass all the power of language, and amaze our hearing, being too great and venerable to be adapted to the sense of any created being.” (On the Creation)

Synagogue where Jesus taught

John the Apostle says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1)

Herodium, favorite home of Herod the Great

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world”... “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-19)

The Prophecy

Unless the Lord builds the house,
.     the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
.     the guards stand watch in vain.  - Psalm 127:1
Christmas is an amazing fulfillment of prophecy.

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Long ago God told the world that He would send the Messiah to redeem people and bring joy into their lives. Isaiah wrote:

“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy;
they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest,
as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. …
For to us a child is born,to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. - Isaiah 9:1-7

The Western Wall at Night

Jesus said of his own ministry (quoting from the book of Isaiah),
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
.   because he has anointed me
.   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
.   and recovery of sight for the blind,
.   to set the oppressed free,
.   to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (61:1,2)

Sheep in Israel

Many of the prophets these are very specific like the child would be born in Bethlehem.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
. though you are small among the clans[b] 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. …
He will stand and shepherd his flock
. in the strength of the Lord,
. in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
. will reach to the ends of the earth.
And he will be our peace - Micah 5:2-5

Camels on their way to Bethlehem

God predicted the Magi would come:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come,
. and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
See, darkness covers the earth
. and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the Lord rises upon you
. and his glory appears over you.
Nations will come to your light,
. and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
the wealth on the seas will be brought to you,
. to you the riches of the nations will come.
Herds of camels will cover your land,
. young camels of Midian and Ephah.
And all from Sheba will come,
. bearing gold and incense
. and proclaiming the praise of the Lord. - Isaiah 60:1-6

A Star in Bethlehem

It was said they would follow the star:
“I see him, but not now;
. I behold him, but not near.
A star will come out of Jacob;
. a scepter will rise out of Israel.” - Numbers 24:17

Flowers in Israel

Other prophecies are telling because God is going to bring salvation.
“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
. from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
. the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
. the Spirit of counsel and of might,
. the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.
He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
. or decide by what he hears with his ears;
But with righteousness he will judge the needy,
. with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. - Isaiah 11:1-4

Western Wall in 1900 - Picture

The story of Jesus is a story freedom because God wants to save you from whatever it is in your life in your world that's holding you back. When a person truly seeks to follow God, that person begins to accomplishing the things for which God created each unique individual.
“For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
. the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
. and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
. for precious is their blood in his sight.” - Psalm 72:12-14

Joy in Safat

Do you truly know what Christmas is?? The season is about more than gifts. It is about more than lights. It is far more than today’s traditional parties. It is about love, but not just the love of humans, the love of God that changes the heart, drawing joy from where there was once depression and placing peace in the lives of the confused.
.     “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” - John 3:16-17

Normal People, like Mary and Joseph

The Christmas story is about people, normal people just like you and me. This week in the book Advent Journeys we will travel with Joseph and Mary the parents of Jesus.

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Many people want to make Mary something unusual something mystical someone godly who is beyond the reach of humanity. God does not do things like that. God chooses normal people who have the right to say yes or no. Mary fortunately said yes.

Jesus works in Joseph's Carpenter Shop
At the Church of Joseph in Nazareth

Sometimes God chooses good people. I really think this is the case with Mary and Joseph. They lived lives dedicated to God and they had a desire to serve him. As we look through the story of Mary and Joseph, we discover they are people who have a desire to please God, and they spend time in prayer.

A small farm outside of Nazareth

This is not always the case. There are times when God chooses people who are not so good ... as in the case of Jonah or Samson. God chose people who were on the border and maybe even on the side of rebelling against God. But God still used them, in spite of their objections. These men, because they were unwilling to follow God’s directions, were robbed of the joy of serving.
.   The fact that Mary and Joseph are normal is proven by the fact of their surprise. When Mary found out she was to be with child she wasn't joyful. She wasn't amused. She did not say “no,” but did express worry, because she did not know how, or why God would bring this about. She probably worried about what people would say and how it would affect her life. After discussing the situation with God, she said, “May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Supposedly Mary's parent's home
Church of the Annunciation, Nazareth

When Joseph heard the news he wanted to privately put Mary away because he was embarrassed. He knew he had not done anything to bring about the pregnancy. An angel came to Joseph, and spoke to him in a dream about what would happen. Joseph believed the Angel, and obediently followed God’s plan.

Joseph and Jesus

In both cases the angel came to them and convinced them of the sincerity of God's task for them to do. The angel let them know the task would not be easy, but both Joseph and Mary were obedient and willing.
.   In the story we see trials come immediately. A tax collector comes to Joseph when Mary is great with Child. He tells them they're called to go to Bethlehem and pay their taxes. Travel would not be anything easy because it would take almost a week to travel to Bethlehem. A great mountain range stood along the journey. You can read more about the travels of Joseph and Mary. Have you ever wondered what their trip was like?? You can read about it in the book Advent Journeys.

Nazareth Today

Trials did not end with the birth of Jesus but they continued for King Herod came after the child with a vengeance. Mary and Joseph had to go into Egypt into a land of exile where their forefathers have been slaves for 430 years. They live there with the strange people for a number of years, until God cleared the way for them to come back to their own land.

Merry Christmas from Nazareth

This Christmas, think about it are you a superior individual? Are you super unique in a way that makes you stand out from the crowd. Or are you a normal person, like Mary and Joseph. if you're a normal person, the Christmas story is for you because we all need the salvation and the love that God brings

Finding the Way

   Faith is not automatic and a guide is required to to help children find the right path. For this reason I developed and carried out a planned Advent Adventure each year with my family. The plan is adaptable and can grow with your family. For older teens and adults, I recommend the book Advent Journeys , which is full of adventures that will make your Bible Study come Alive!
   This week’s journal in the devotional Advent Journeys seeks to speak the words of Joseph along the road with Mary on their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Have you ever wondered what the trip was like? What they ate, where they slept, who they met, and what conversations they had? This journal will answer your questions!
   Joseph and Mary were unique individuals of character. They truly loved God, and sought to carry this attitude into their daily lives. For this reason they were chosen by God to become parents of the Messiah!
   The Bible tells us that Mary and Joseph were not problem free. They had many concerns … take for instance Mary’s sudden pregnancy; how to tell her parents; and how to break the news to Joseph (who did nothing wrong!) Think about what the community said. And then there were the taxes to be paid, and the trip to be made by a very pregnant Mary.
   The couple endured, in a commendable way. Have you ever wondered what they talked about along the way? What was the road like (they crossed mountains and walked through valleys). Would you like to listen? Take the Advent Journey with them from Nazareth to Bethlehem (this week). You can also travel with them from Bethlehem to Egypt … and then back to Nazareth during week four of the Advent Journeys Devotion Guide. [this is an easy read, with about 350 words per day, that will take you to the heart of Christmas! Please try it, and for accountability, have a friend read the book also.]
   Joseph and Mary are still remembered, because God chose them. The Lord gave them to serve as examples for other parents across two thousand years of history. A close reading of the Bible, and also Advent Journeys can help you to know them better and copy something that will improve your life this year.

Winning the Lottery

The lottery was held every day for the Priests the Temple to assign duty posts.

Coins of Ancient Israel

.   The first drawing was to clear the altar of ashes. {A story is told that there were once two men who desired to clear the altar, and they both ran to be first, but they were equal, so one man pushed another off the ramp to the Altar. The man who fell off broke his leg, and the court saw the danger of disorder. This is how they began to assign priests duty by lottery. - Mishna Yoma 2.2}
.   The second lottery assigned specific tasks of the sacrifice to thirteen men. These men processed sacrifices, and took them to the top of the ramp by the altar. The fourth drawing decided which priests would receive the sacrificial offerings at the top of the ramp and place them on the altar.

Model of the Temple

.   At the third drawing of the lottery the officer used to say, “New priests come up and submit to the count for the incense.” This means that only once in a lifetime can a man clear the ashes from the Altar of Incense and then refresh the fire with figwood from the outer altar.
.   Now according to the Bible Zechariah the Priest, the father of John the Baptist was chosen casting of the third lot for duty of clearing and renewing the fire of the altar of incense. Luke wrote: “Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.” We also know from the Bible that this was probably Zechariah’s last tour of duty before he retired. Imagine the shock of Zechariah at being selected. Imagine the timing of God, in giving Zechariah an important message!
.   The Mishnah, an official guide book for Priests explains the duty that Zechariah was to follow: “Every day, the officiating priest would scoop out coals. [When he would scoop out figwood from the outer altar mixed with incense for the inner altar for the incense offering of morning and evening], he would scoop them with (a coal pan) of silver and spill them into one of gold [and he would not scoop them out with one of gold, for the scooping out of coals wears out the pan, and the Torah "pitied the money of Israel."].”

In the Holy Place of the Temple

.   The Bible tells us that when Zechariah went into the Holy Place of the Temple to tend the altar of incense according to the Law of Moses and instruction of the High Priests, “all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.” They waited on Zechariah to ‘quickly’ finish his task, so the sacrifices could begin … but…
.   “Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.”

The Best book for Advent!

The Christmas story contains many details that most people miss. The details make the story more wonderful. I want to share the details with you (in more interesting form), in a ten minute reading per day …. Take a look at the book Advent Journeys, on the left side of this page, or by clicking this link.

Waiting … the Storyline

I don’t want to waaaiit!!
Is that really in the script??
I want it NOW!!

Yes, it’s really in the script!
And it is there quite often also!
How long did Noah wait on the ark? 150 days?
How long did Abram wait for a child? 25 years?
How long did Joseph hang out in prison?
How many years did Israel serve Egypt
How long did it take them to get to the promised land?
… and the list could go on. But I’ll stop it here.

Except to tell you, the Christmas story involves waiting.
First, it was waiting for the Messiah to arrive …
.   But in today’s Advent reading (from Advent Journeys), we read how Zechariah and Elizabeth have waited for a child; And they gave up. They really did, because Elizabeth was beyond childbearing years.
.   And Zechariah was ready for retirement. What age do priests retire? Read it in the book. But, know for sure Zechariah was waiting to retire. … Not that he didn’t enjoy his job, he did. But he had reached the age, (what age? Read it in Advent Journeys) to retire.
.   Then on his last day … his very last day … he was CHOSEN! (for what?) To tend the Altar of Incense. That is a once in a lifetime experience. It is a privilege and an honor. And Zechariah the Priest had never, in his long career … in his whole life, had that privilege. He was excited. He was thrilled … he would go out with a bang.

TRUE … he just didn’t know how big that bang would be!!
.   Imagine, being given the once n a lifetime opportunity, on your last day of work! Working as close (remember he was a priest) to the Holy of Holies that any man (except for the High Priest, and that is only once a year) can come. Zechariah would be right next to the presence of God! That is why he was thrilled and excited .. and considered the opportunity, “Going out with a bang!”
.   But it was more! More than Zechariah expected … because an Angel met him there!

(More tomorrow … or read Advent Journeys!)

Preparing for the Holidays

It’s December already, the countdown to Christmas has begun.
… but, what are you counting down to?
The Presents, The arrival of Family...
Time off work, Football games...
Parties, The lengthening of days …
To take down the tree...
for life to return to normal ,,,
For the New Year to begin, … or for Jesus?!

The season of Advent is about waiting …
… for the birth of the Savior in Bethlehem...

How are you preparing?
… Are you just counting days?
.... Getting involved in activity, planning menus,
… Inviting guests, buying presents ….
Or reading the story … the story of Jesus?

Most people just let the time go by …
They don’t build the anticipation …
They don’t get ready for the real joy,
It is fake things they are involved in.

Have you formed a plan to savor the days??
If not, click on the book to the left …
Advent Journeys
And let the trip toward Christmas begin!!