Historicity of the First Christmas
One of my favorite parts of writing historical fiction is researching in order to build an accurate picture of the characters' lives. In this series, I share some of the insights I've gathered. Check out the book links below to hear your favorite Bible characters share details from their lives.
Below, you will find additional research links for Our Stories: Hope's Arrival. The first section will include links for specific chapters. The second section is general research. Find more information in the blog series A Way in a Manger.
About the Characters:
Zechariah
- According to St. Luke 1:7 they were both 'well stricken in years.' But from Aboth 5:21 we learn, that sixty years was considered 'the commencement of agedness.' (Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Ch III The Annunciation of Ts. John the Baptist, Kindle ed)
Mary
- Who Hast Not Made Me a Woman perspective from a modern Jewess from an Israeli community on the role of women in scripture.
- Ancient Jewish Marriage
- Millstone
- Making Bread
- More Bread Making
Elizabeth
- What does it mean that Elizabeth hid away? https://biblical-thinking.org/cgi-bin/article.pl?033Luk
- Edersheim on the rituals surrounding circumcision and naming: We can scarcely be mistaken in supposing, that then, as now, a benediction was spoken before circumcision, and that the ceremony closed with the usual grace over the cup of wine, [742] when the child received his name in a prayer that probably did not much differ from this at present in use: Our God, and the God of our fathers, raise up this child to his father and mother, and let his name be called in Israel Zacharias, the son of Zacharias. [743] Let his father rejoice in the issue of his loins, and his mother in the fruit of her womb, as it is written in Prov. xxiii.25, and as it is said in Ezek. xvi.6, and again in Ps. cv.8, and Gen. xxi.4;' the passages being, of course, quoted in full. The prayer closed with the hope that the child might grow up, and successfully, attain to the Torah, the marriagebaldachino, and good works.' [744] (Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah)
- According to St. Luke 1:7 they were both 'well stricken in years.' But from Aboth 5:21 we learn, that sixty years was considered 'the commencement of agedness.' (Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Ch III The Annunciation of Ts. John the Baptist, Kindle ed)
Mary's Father
Joseph
What was his occupation? Associates for Biblical Research: Jesus the "Tekton"
Joseph's Mother
- We know nothing of Joseph's parents. Even the Catholic church has no traditions regarding them. Probably, she lived in Bethlehem where Joseph had to go to register the family's property. Since Joseph and Mary offered the poor man's offering at Jesus' dedication, we can assume that they were all poor.
The Shepherd
- We know nothing of the shepherds and there is nothing to indicate that they were any different than any other shepherd, caring for their flocks just as every other shepherd had since the Israelites settled in the land.
Sheep Towers and swaddled, temple lambs
As bearers of the Truth, it is our duty to test everything and to hold to the Truth. He does not need embellishment nor help being spectacular. Dr. Wave Nunnally does a great job of addressing this information in this post. I don't think I could do better, so I will link to it. In short:
- Were the shepherds in the service of the Temple or maybe even priests? There is no evidence from the time of Christ that this is the case. Edersheim proposed this based on a twisting of the information in the Mishnah.
- Migdal Eder (the sheep tower). The story goes that Migdal Eder was a sheep tower located yards from Bethlehem. This is where the shepherds would take their lambs to birth and this is where Mary and Joseph found shelter to give birth to Jesus and laid him in the very mangers of the lambs set aside for temple sacrifice. BUT there is no evidence of this. We do not know where Migdal Eder is. It is mentioned with Bethlehem in Genesis 35, but we have no idea how close one is to the other. The other time the tower is mentioned in the Bible is Micah 4:8. But, the next line renames Migdal Eder as "hill of the daughter of Zion," pointing to Jerusalem, not Bethlehem.
- Special temple sheep and swaddled lambs? The claim is that the shepherds were raising sheep destined to sacrifice in Jerusalem and that, when a perfect lamb was born, it would be swaddled and laid in a manger so it would not be injured. I have not found any evidence that sheep from Bethlehem were considered best for sacrifices nor that shepherds ever swaddled lambs. To the contrary, having lived on a farm and watched many animals being born, I would guess that swaddling would prevent their muscles from developing properly, thus crippling them.
The Wise Man
- We know the wise men were "from the east." There's a lot of land east of Israel. I settled on the Exilarches because..... why not? It's not a theory I have heard anywhere else so it made it easy to not borrow someone else's ideas.
- Information on Exilarches
- Jewish Virtual Library
- Jewish Encyclopedia
The Scribe
- Here is a link to Fox's Book of Martyrs at Project Gutenberg. Referenced in the "Dig Deeper" section of the study guide.
Simeon
Anna
- A few calculations puts Anna in her early 20s when General Pompey marches the Roman army into Jerusalem and lays seige to the temple. Did Anna's husband die in that battle? Or one of the skirmishes leading up to it? We won't know this side of heaven, but it would explain why she never remarried and it makes for an excellent backstory.
- In the story, Anna mentions that she remembers when the Pharisees were a new group. Here's a brief history of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Essenes (Jewish Virtual Library). This one goes a bit more in dept (Overview Bible).
The Soldier
- Roman Army
- Research references for the Roman Amry
- World History Encyclopedia, Roman Army
- Weapons and Warfare, Roman Auxilia
- The Power of an Endless Life, sermon by Rev. Don Leavell, Corpus Christi Christian Fellowship
Joseph, Part 2
- Season 3 of the The Red-Haired Archaeologist focuses on the relationship between Egypt and Israel.
General Research
Our information about the birth of Jesus comes from Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2, plus 2,000 years of tradition. Our duty is to separate the tradition from the scripture to know the Truth. Some of what I present in this research, and later in the stories, flies in the face of tradition. But, to the best of my ability, it holds true first to scripture, then to the historical evidence. And.... once we understand the historical and cultural context, the questions and supposed inaccuracies in the Biblical narrative are answered.
Do you have additional resources I should know about? Please comment.
When was Jesus born?
- In John 2:20 the Pharisees tell Jesus it has taken 46 years to build the temple. Herod began building in 20 (or 19?) BCE (Josephus). Jesus began his public ministry when he was about 30 years old (Luke 3:23). If this was the first Passover of His ministry, it would have been about 26 AD (there is no year "0" between 1 BCE and 1 AD). Thus, he would have been born around the year 4 BCE.
- Side note: the temple wasn't completed until 63AD, a mere 7 years before its total destruction.
- Was December 25 chosen because the church wanted to co-opt a pagan holiday? https://creation.com/celebrating-christmas
When did Herod the Great Die?
General consensus is 4 BC, based on a reference in Josephus (one day I'll look it up and link it) to a lunar eclipse before a fast. We don't know for sure which fast, nor which eclipse. Here is a discussion on Biblical Archaeology Society about possibilities. Note: BAS does not assume the reliability of the Bible.
When Quirinius was governor
- Problem: Josephus records Quirinius' time of governing Syria beginning in 6AD. There is no overlap of Quirinius and Herod according to this timeline. Hint: Quirinius ruled in Syria twice.
- Solving the Census of Quirinius https://jcalebjones.com/2020/10/27/solving-the-census-of-quirinius/?amp=1
- Edersheim talks about tax collection: "These, which may be called the regular taxes, were irrespective of any forced contributions, and of the support which had to be furnished to the Roman procurator and his household and court at Caesarea. To avoid all possible loss to the treasury, the proconsul of Syria, Quirinus (Cyrenius), had taken a regular census to show the number of the population and their means." (Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life)
- Biography of Quirinius. Includes a comprehensive list of historical references to Quirinius.
Nazareth
- That along the north of the plain is formed by the mountains of Lower Galilee, cleft about the middle by a valley that widens, till, after an hour's journey, we stand within an enclosure which seems almost one of Nature's own sanctuaries. As in an amphitheatre, fifteen hill-tops rise around. That to the west is the highest - about 500 feet. On its lower slopes nestles a little town, its narrow streets ranged like terraces. This is Nazareth, probably the ancient Sarid (or En-Sarid), which, in the time of Joshua, marked the northern boundary of Zebulun. [675] [676] (Edersheim, Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah)
- For, the Galilee of the time of Jesus was not only of the richest fertility, cultivated to the utmost, and thickly covered with populous towns and villages, but the centre of every known industry, and the busy road of the world's commerce. Ibid
- Just outside the town, in the north-west, bubbled the spring or well, the trysting-spot of townspeople, and welcome resting-place of travellers. Beyond it stretched lines of houses, each with its flat roof standing out distinctly against the clear sky; watered, terraced gardens, gnarled wide-spreading figtrees, graceful feathery palms, scented oranges, silvery olive-trees, thick hedges, rich pasture-land, then the bounding hills to the south; and beyond, the seemingly unbounded expanse of the wide plain of Esdraelon! Ibid
- Hence, although the stream of commerce between Acco and the East was divided into three channels, yet, as one of these passed through Nazareth, the quiet little town was not a stagnant pool of rustic seclusion. Men of all nations, busy with another life than that of Israel, would appear in the streets of Nazareth; and through them thoughts, associations, and hopes connected with the great outside world be stirred., ibid
- But, on the other hand, Nazareth was also one of the great centers of Jewish Temple-life. It has already been indicated that the Priesthood was divided into twenty-four courses,' which, in turn, ministered in the Temple. The Priests of the course' which was to be on duty always gathered in certain towns, whence they went up in company to Jerusalem, while those of their number who were unable to go spent the week in fasting and prayer. Now Nazareth was one of these Priest-centres, [678]
Born in a Manger (but not a barn)
- Open-air Khan
- AWAY IN A MANGER, BUT NOT IN A BARN: AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL LOOK AT THE NATIVITY
- Does it matter that Jesus wasn’t born in a stable?
- Jesus was not born in a stable (honest!)
- All this, of course, applied to entertainment in private families. On unfrequented roads, where villages were at great intervals, or even outside towns (Luke 2:7), there were regular khans, or places of lodgment for strangers. Like the modern khans, these places were open, and generally built in a square, the large court in the middle being intended for the beasts of burden or carriages, while rooms opened upon galleries all around. Of course these rooms were not furnished, nor was any payment expected from the wayfarer. At the same time, some one was generally attached to the khan -- mostly a foreigner -- who would for payment provide anything that might be needful, of which we have an instance in the parabolic history of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:35). Such hostelries are mentioned so early as in the history of Moses (Gen 42:27; 43:21). Jeremiah calls them "a place for strangers" (Jer 41:17), wrongly rendered "habitation" in our Authorised Version. In the Talmud their designations are either Greek or Latin, in Aramaic form -- one of them being the same as that used in Luke 10:34 -- proving that such places were chiefly provided by and for strangers. [14] (Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life)
- Israel was always distinguished for hospitality; and not only the Bible, but the Rabbis, enjoin this in the strongest terms. In Jerusalem no man was to account a house as only his own; and it was said, that during the pilgrim-feasts none ever wanted ready reception. The tractate Aboth (1.5), mentions these as two out of the three sayings of Jose, the son of Jochanan, of Jerusalem: "Let thy house be wide open, and let the poor be the children of thy house." Readers of the New Testament will be specially interested to know, that, according to the Talmud (Pes.53), Bethphage and Bethany, to which in this respect such loving memories cling, were specially celebrated for their hospitality towards the festive pilgrims. In Jerusalem it seems to have been the custom to hang a curtain in front of the door, to indicate that there was still room for guests. Some went so far as to suggest, there should be four doors to every house, to bid welcome to travellers from all directions. The host would go to meet an expected guest, and again accompany him part of the way (Acts 21:5). The Rabbis declared that hospitality involved as great, and greater merit than early morning attendance in an academy of learning. They could scarcely have gone farther, considering the value they attached to study. Of course, here also the Rabbinical order had the preference; and hospitably to entertain a sage, and to send him away with presents, was declared as meritorious as to have offered the daily sacrifices (Ber.10, b). (Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life)
- To adopt and bring up an orphan was regarded as specially a "good work." This reminds us of the apostolic description of a "widow indeed," as one "well reported for good works"; who "had brought up children, lodged strangers, washed the saints' feet, relieved the afflicted, diligently followed every good work" (1 Tim 5:10). Indeed, orphans were the special charge of the whole congregation -- not thrust into poor-houses, -- and the parochial authorities were even bound to provide a fixed dowry for female orphans. (Edersheim, Sketches of Jewish Social Life)
Jesus' first months
Life in First Century Israel
- That the World may Know https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/inside-first-century-home
- Four-room Israelite Home https://www.biola.edu/blogs/good-book-blog/2021/an-israelite-four-room-house-at-hazor-biola-learn-s-the-geography-of-israel
Sheep Towers and swaddled, temple lambs
As I stated above, as bearers of the Truth, it is our duty to test everything and to hold to the Truth. He does not need embellishment nor help being spectacular. Dr. Wave Nunnally does a great job of addressing this information in this post. I don't think I could do better, so I will link to it. In short:
- Were the shepherds in the service of the Temple or maybe even priests? There is no evidence from the time of Christ that this is the case. Edersheim proposed this based on a twisting of the information in the Mishnah.
- Migdal Eder (the sheep tower). The story goes that Migdal Eder was a sheep tower located yards from Bethlehem. This is where the shepherds would take their lambs to birth and this is where Mary and Joseph found shelter to give birth to Jesus and laid him in the very mangers of the lambs set aside for temple sacrifice. BUT there is no evidence of this. We do not know where Migdal Eder is. It is mentioned with Bethlehem in Genesis 35, but we have no idea how close one is to the other. The other time the tower is mentioned in the Bible is Micah 4:8. But, the next line renames Migdal Eder as "hill of the daughter of Zion," pointing to Jerusalem, not Bethlehem.
- Special temple sheep and swaddled lambs? The claim is that the shepherds were raising sheep destined to sacrifice in Jerusalem and that, when a perfect lamb was born, it would be swaddled and laid in a manger so it would not be injured. I have not found any evidence that sheep from Bethlehem were considered best for sacrifices nor that shepherds ever swaddled lambs. To the contrary, having lived on a farm and watched many animals being born, I would guess that swaddling would prevent their muscles from developing properly, thus crippling them.
Are you looking for a little lighter reading? This series is the study notes for Our Stores: Hope's Arrival.
The Christmas Story as you’ve never heard it before.
Join characters from The Christmas Story as they share how one encounter with Hope changed their lives.
From Zechariah meeting the angel in the temple to Joseph struggling as he contemplates his role in raising the Son of God, these thirteen interwoven short stories will captivate and inspire readers. Travel through the Biblical account with perspectives from a priest, shepherds, Wise Men, and even a soldier in this unique and powerful retelling of The Christmas Story.
These aren’t just any stories – These are Our Stories.
Based on scripture and reliable, historical context, then infused with a touch of sanctified imagination, Our Stories share relatable truths that will stay with you long after you close the book.
Whether you're reading alone, with your family, or in a small group, Our Stories are perfect for anyone looking for a fresh perspective on His story.
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