The Nativity

2. The Nativity Story Includes:
• The Bible prophecy of the Nativity
• The events that surrounded the Nativity
• How the Nativity effects mankind

3. The Bible prophecy of the Nativity
The holy men of God, the prophets pointed to the
first advent of Christ.

4. Prophesy:
New Covenant:
Jeremiah 31:31-33 "Behold, the days are coming, says the
LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of
Israel and with the house of Judah-- "not according to the
covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took
them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My
covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to
them, says the LORD. "But this is the covenant that I will
make with the house of Israel after those days, says the
LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their
hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people

5. Prophesy:
Isaiah foreshadowed the virgin birth of Jesus
Prophecy written: Between 758-681 BC
Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a
sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son,
and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Word "Immanuel" means: God with us.

6. Prophesy:
Isaiah 9:6 written about: 712 BC – “For unto us a
Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the
government will be upon His shoulder. And His
name will be called wonderful, Counselor, Mighty
God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”.

7. Prophesy:
Bible prophecy: Micah 5:1-2
Prophecy written: Sometime between 750-686 BC
In Micah 5:2, there is a prophecy that reveals that
Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the Messiah
Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou
be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee
shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel;
whose goings forth have been from of old, from
everlasting.”

8. The events that surrounded the Nativity
Although the Bible speaks about a King of kings, we
find the people who are involved in the fulfillment of
the Nativity in a humble village where you would
least expect the kings parents to live.

9. We have to put on spiritual
glasses to see God’s intent
by sending His Son to us.

10. Matthew 13:55
Jesus’ earthly future
father, Joseph was a
carpenter as learned
from his father’s
trade. Mat 13:55 Is
not this the
carpenter's son?
(Speaking of Jesus)

11. The lives were simple, but yet happy.
Nazareth was right on the Roman Road to Jerusalem
and therefore contact with the whole known world
could be made from this small village. Eusebius
makes mention of a small village called Nazareth in
the 4th century A.D.

12. Most towns were
very small. Joseph
and Mary had
opportunity to get to
know each other.

13. According to the Bible history, an engagement
was formed between the groom and the father
of the bride or between the fathers of each. To
assure daughter's hand in marriage money
would be given the bride’s father as "the bride
price." There was also a marriage contract or a ketubah. It is
considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and
outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the
bride. The Code of Hammurabi mentions bride price in various laws as
an established custom. A man who paid the bride price but looked for
another bride would not get a refund, but he would if the father of the
bride later refused the match.
The couple are technically considered married at this point, but must
complete the tradition before the final ceremony and consummation of
the union can occur. Joseph was glad the bride’s price had been paid
for Mary.

14. Luke 1:26-36
During these very happy events something so dramatic happened
that would change the lives of these humble people and the world
forever. An angle appeared to Mary
Matt. 1:21 She shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call his name
Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

15. Luke 1:5-20 The wife of a certain priest named Zacharias
had a wife named Elisabeth, (cousin of Mary) who did not
have a child. The angel of the Lord named Gabrielle,
appeared to Zacharias and told him that his wife would
conceive and bare a man of God to help turn people to God.
(Parents of John the Baptist)

16. Luke 1:39-44,56 And Mary arose in
those days, and went into the hill country
with haste, into a city of Juda;
40 And entered into the house of Zacharias,
and saluted Elisabeth. 41 And it came to
pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the
salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her
womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the
Holy Ghost: 42 And she spake out with a
loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou
among women, and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb.43 And whence is this to me, that
the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy
salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe
leaped in my womb for joy.
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham,
and to his seed for ever. 56 And Mary
abode with her about three months, and
returned to her own house.

17. One of ancient Jewish wedding traditions is that the Chattan
(groom) will not meet the Kallah (bride) 6 months to a year
preceding the wedding. The reason for this Jewish wedding
custom is that the Chattan and Kallah should have a fresh new
feeling of love for each other. Mary would be breaking tradition
to talk to Joseph about the vision and declaration of the angel,
but she knew that she could no longer not say something to
someone. She sought God to know what to do..

18. We don’t know how Joseph and his family were informed
of the pregnancy or if they believed the story of the angel
visitation to Mary. Realistically, it would be hard for
anyone to believe.

19. Unlawful intercourse with a woman betrothed to a man was adultery, because
the betrothed woman was deemed as inviolable as a married woman. The
punishment for this crime was stoning to death at a place of public execution.
If the wife had committed unlawful intercourse against her will, she was not
guilty of Adultery, because she did not act as a free agent. The usual
punishments are not inflicted in such cases, and the legal consequences of
Adultery do not follow. It was Joseph’s decision as to how Mary should be
treated. Additionally, the child of an adulterous connection was known as a
Mamzer and was not permitted to become a member of the Jewish body.

20. Matthew 1:1 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and
not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put
her away privily and not be stoned to death.
9

21. Matthew 1:20-21 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. 21 And she
shall bring forth a son, and
thou shalt call his name
Jesus: for he shall save his
people from their sins

22. Joseph must go forward with the completion of
plans to marry her.

23. In the Orthodox Jewish tradition, an unmarried person is
considered only half a person, the wedding day is seen to be the
start of a new life for a complete soul, that of the bride and the
groom coming together. The marriage was not consummated until
after Jesus’ birth.

24. Luke 2:1-5 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a
decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And
this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And
all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into
Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he
was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

25. Since Israel was under Roman rule, and part of a province of the Roman
Empire, customs duties were farmed out to chief tax collectors (publican).
These chief tax collector's what also farm these duties over to the regular tax
collectors. The tax collectors were usually Jewish and therefore they were
hated by their own people. When they collected their taxes for Rome they would
turn over the required amount of money, and whatever they could add on for
themselves is what they kept. They were known to be extortioners of large
sums of money. A Judean could be arrested and loose his property is he did
not go to the census or pay taxes.

26. Joseph and Mary had to take food with them because the
journey was long and without many places to eat along the
way. Sometimes there would be venders along a road that
was constantly traveled, but this was not always the case.

27. There was concern for the journey is not an easy
one for someone as far advanced in pregnancy as
Mary.

28. The common form of travel was by caravan, especially with long trips.
Such a mode was far safer in case of accident or injury or possible attack
by bandits, as well as being more enjoyable. With a census like this
involving as many people as it did, a caravan going to Bethlehem would
not be hard to find or join. Caravans would travel about 20 miles in a day,
and the distance between Nazareth and Bethlehem (80 miles) would
translate into a 4-day journey.

29. They traveled South
and possibly
crossed the Jordan
River twice because
The Jews avoided
the country of
Samaria.

30. There were nights to prepare food and possibly
sleep out in the open if a shelter was not brought
with them.

31. Bethlehem was overflowing with other people who
had to obey Caesar Augustus decree.

32. Looking for a place to stay was very difficult. The only
space available was in a stable. Mary felt grateful because
she knew the baby was soon to be born.

33. Matthew Chapter 1 (Linage of Christ)
Luke Chapter 2:1-7 (Birth)
These verses describe his surroundings, suggest his purpose in
coming, and provide the tenor of His story. The Creator and King was
born not in a palace but in a stable, probably built into a cave in the
hillside. This is the least expected place for an event of great
significance to occur. We may pause from this history and ask, “Where
do we look for great things to occur spiritually in our lives? In the great
and magnificent, or the humble and insignificant?”

34. The Bible tells of the greatest birth announcement in all of
History. Luke 2:8-18

35. The new star arose at Jesus’ birth and pointed the way to
Him.

36. Wise men in prophesy knew that the king was about to be born.
(Wise men yet today recognize that birth and serve this King.)
Read Matthew 2
The Kings from the East, were a group of distinguished foreigners
who visited Jesus after his birth, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense
and myrrh. They went first to Jerusalem as the spiritual capitol of the
know world to inquire where the King was born. They went directly to
the palace.

37. Matthew 2:1-8 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,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in
the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When Herod the king had heard these
things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered
all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them
where Christ should be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for
thus it is written by the prophet, 6 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. 7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men,
enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to
Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye
have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

38. When they had heard the king, they departed.

39. Matthew 2:10-12
Shepherds and wise men alike worship Christ. The wise men
did not report the location of Baby Jesus to the king.

40. Joseph was warned by God to flee

41. Matthew 2:14
Matthew 13:55

42. To Egypt from Bethlehem which was an extremely long trip for them of
perhaps 300 miles.

43. Matthew 2:16 Then Herod,
when he saw that he was
mocked of the wise men,
was exceeding wroth, and
sent forth, and slew all the
children that were in
Bethlehem, and in all the
coasts thereof, from two
years old and under,
according to the time which
he had diligently inquired of
the wise men.

44. King Herod Illustration
When King Herod died, they returned to Nazareth. We do not know exactly
how long the family remained in Egypt, but it could have been a few months
to a few years.
We learn that later Mary and Joseph had other children in Mat 13:55 Is not
this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren,
James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

45. How the Nativity Effects Mankind
How can you describe the hope that has been offered to
you and I! There is a way to God. We have a remedy for
the separation from God and mankind. There is a way to
quicken our lives and be made a new creature. We do
not have to be chained to sin’s bondage and misery.
With Christ we can live a life victorious and free from sin.
With Christ there is a hope of eternal life with God in
Heaven.

46. Jesus Christ came into the world to seek and save the
lost.
Luke 19:10, "For the Son of man is come to seek and
to save that which was lost

47. Jesus Christ came into the world as a
demonstration of God's Love.
1 John 4:10, "Herein is love, not that we loved
God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to
be the propitiation for our sins."

48. John 3:16-18, "For God so loved the world, that
he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the
world to condemn the world; but that the world
through him might be saved. He that believeth on
him is not condemned: but he that believeth not
is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of
God."