Myth #1 - The Angel Gabriel appeared to Zacharias, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Magi to announce the coming of the Messiah.
An angel did appear to Zacharias, and did identify himself as Gabriel. Gabriel announced the birth of a son to him, and that this child would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. The Gospels never indicate that an angel visited Elizabeth. It is interesting to note however that Elizabeth said to Mary when filled with the Holy Spirit “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your offspring! How could this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” Obviously the Holy Spirit informed Elizabeth of the coming of the Messiah. Mary was visited by Gabriel and told that she had found favor in God’s sight and would give birth to the Son of God. Joseph it says was visited in a dream by an angel of the Lord. He was told the child was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Joseph was visited again by an angel of the Lord in his dreams and told to flee to Egypt, shortly after the visit of the Magi. In Egypt, Joseph was told in a dream to return to Israel now that Herod had died and it was safe for them to return. However, when he heard that Herod’s son was ruling in Judea, he was again warned in a dream to go to Galilee instead. The Gospels do not say who the “angel of the Lord” was, or why Joseph was only communicated to in dreams. The Shepherds were visited by an “Angel of the Lord” which may have been Gabriel, but is never identified as such. The Magi learned of the new born king of the Jews by observing the stars and signs in the night sky. They were warned in a dream by God not to return to Herod, and instead went back to their own country another way.
Myth #2 - Mary and Joseph could not get a room in the “inn” so Jesus was born in a barn surrounded by barnyard animals and laid in a manger filled with hay.
Christmas plays always depict Mary and Joseph standing at the door of a building the Bethlehem equivalent of the Motel 6, being told there is no room in the inn. They then mosey around back and camp out in the barn, always filled with sheep, horses, cows, and chickens. The little baby Jesus is then wrapped up and placed in a hay filled manger, or feed trough. But, where was this manger located? Luke says there was no room, or space (greek=topos) for them in the guestroom (greek=kataluma). If Luke had wanted to use the word for an “inn” he could have. Luke uses that exact word when he relates Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:34). The word used for the place where the Good Samaritan takes the man injured by robbers is “inn” (greek=pandocheion). Luke also has a word for “guestroom” that he uses when describing the upper room or guest room (kataluma) where the disciples and Jesus held the last supper and celebrated the Passover together (Luke 22:11). So, Joseph and Mary laid the baby Jesus in a manger because there was no room in the guestroom. In first century middle eastern houses, the top floor was the sleeping quarters. The bottom floor was typically used as a kitchen area. At night, animals were brought into the first floor area to keep them safe from danger and theft. It is logical that Joseph and Mary were staying at a relative’s house, as this is where Joseph’s family is from. The upper floor/guest room was already full, but Joseph and Mary stayed downstairs. A manger more than likely would have been in the lower level of the house for the animals. It is not known whether the animals were allowed to stay in the house while a pregnant Mary was staying there, but I imagine they were moved outside temporarily.
Myth #3 - The Shepherds heard a multitude of heavenly hosts singing “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
The shepherds were visited by a multitude of heavenly hosts, but they did not sing. They are reported as saying, not singing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Myth #4 - Three Kings from the East brought gifts to the baby Jesus. They followed a blazing star in the night sky which led them directly to the place in Bethlehem where Jesus was.
The Magi were not actually Kings from the East, or even from the “Orient” as popular Christmas songs imply. Magi were astronomers and most likely from Babylon. There were a line of Magi who were from the line of Daniel. Daniel, as in Daniel in the lion’s den bible story, was put in charge of the Magi due to his ability to interpret the dreams of the king when none of his court advisers could. As a result, it is quite possible that the influence of the Jewish Torah and other writings would have been familiar to the Magi. They would have been familiar with the prophecies of Moses (Genesis 49:10 and Numbers 24:17), Daniel (9:24-26), Isaiah (7:14), and Micah (5:2) regarding the coming messiah, just as the advisers to king Herod were. The blazing star of Christmas is convincingly presented in Larson’s The Star of Bethlehem presentation as Jupiter, the “king star.” He proposes that as the planet made its way through the heavens for months before and after the birth of Jesus, it was a sign to the Magi that a king had been born for the Jews. A very interesting recreation of the stars in the sky over Bethlehem on December 25th, 2 B.C., seems to confirm this as the time that the Magi visited the Christ child. At this time, Jesus was most likely a toddler and not a baby lying in a manger.
Myth # 5 - Jesus was born on December 25th, 1 AD.
No one is certain of the exact date of the birth of Jesus. However, there are several clues which can be searched out to provide a fairly close date. Luke 1:5 explains that Zacharias was a priest of the division of Abijah, serving in the Temple. It is possible to determine at what times in the past this group of priests served. Chronicles 24:1 states that the division of Abijah drew the lot for the 8th week of service in the temple. All of the divisions, 24 in total, served two weeks during the year. Plus all divisions served on 3 feast weeks together at one time: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16). Luke says that John was conceived after Zacharias’ temple service, and then born some 9 months later. This would place John’s conception in the 3rd month Sivan (May/June), after the 3rd week sometime. John’s birth would fall 40 weeks later, sometime in Nisan (March/April), around the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. Jesus was conceived about 6 months after John was. This would place conception in Kislev (November/December) after the 3rd week. Forty weeks later would place Jesus’ birth in the month of Tishri (September/October) sometime. The Bible is full of symbolism, and on several levels. Jesus was conceived around the Feast of Lights or Hanukkah. This is appropriate that the “Light of the World” was given to us at this time. Jesus was born around the Feast of Succoth which means “booth”. During this feast, Jews construct booths outside and eat and sleep in them for 7 days to commemorate the Israelites living in the wilderness for 40 years following the exodus from Egypt. It is also at the end of the harvest of crops and is basically a Jewish Thanksgiving celebration. During the wandering in the wilderness, the Tabernacle, which in Jewish means “dwelling place”, was constructed so that God could dwell with the Jews. It is very appropriate that Jesus would be born during this feast as he was coming to “dwell” with us as a man. In fact, John 1:14 says “The Word became flesh and dwelled (succah) among us.” Could John have been confirming with this play on words that Jesus was born during the Succoth Feast?
As to the year, due to calculation problems after a standardized calendar was adopted, we know that it was not in 1AD, with AD meaning of course ANNO DOMINI “in the year of our Lord”. Based on recent studies of the manuscripts of Josephus, a Jewish writer who chronicled the history of the Jews in 70-95 AD, a date for the death of Herod has been set around 1 B.C. Herod ordered the death of all children under the age of 2 after realizing the Magi were not going to return and tell him where the King of the Jews was. This indicates that the new born king the Magi had come to worship was not a baby, but instead was referred to as a toddler (greek=paida). So Jesus would have been born in 2-4 B.C., just prior to Herod’s death.
Nisan (March-April)
Iyar (April-May)
Sivan (May-June) 25 - John the Baptist is conceived.
Tammuz (June-July)
Av (July-August)
Elul (August-September)
Tishri (September-October)
Heshvan (October-November)
Kislev (November-December) 25 - Jesus is conceived. (Hanukkah/Festival of Lights)
Tevet (December-January)
Shevat (January-February)
Adar (February-March)
Following year:
Nisan (March-April) 15 - John the Baptist is born (Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread)
Iyar (April-May)
Sivan (May-June)
Tammuz (June-July)
Av (July-August)
Elul (August-September)
Tishri (September-October) 15 - Jesus is born (Feast of Tabernacles)
Heshvan (November-December)
Kislev (November-December)
Tevet (December-January)
Shevat (January-February)
Adar (February-March)
1 Truth proclaimed - Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
References from :Hillel ben David (Greg Killian) and Rick Larson the star of Bethlehem
Luke 1
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. … 26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29 But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. 30 The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; 33 and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and His kingdom will have no end.” 34 Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God. 36 And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 39 Now at this time Mary arose and went in a hurry to the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 And she cried out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.” … 56 And Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her home.Matthew 1
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” 22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” which translated means, “GOD WITH US.” 24 And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25 but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.
Luke 2
1 Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. 2 This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. 6 While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the guestroom. 8 In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.” 15 When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger. 17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH, ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH; FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’” 7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way.
