The Magi and the Star of Bethlehem

 

In the Bible, only the apostle Matthew describes the wise men's visit. The former tax collector carefully recorded the facts, underlying tension, and ancient prophecy.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 

     Matthew 2:1-12 New International Version

 Matthew relates a story of glorious promise shadowed by menace. Readers are intrigued, but left wanting to know more. Who were the magi? Why did they think the star heralded the birth of a king? What was the star?

Who were the magi?

Magi is a Greek term which might be rendered as sages, astrologers, or priests. The wise men have been described as all three. Although the Bible does not state how many visitors came to the manger, Robin M. Jensen writes in "Witnessing the Divine" that the earliest images, from mid-third century frescoes in the Catacomb of Priscilla, show three. 

From the Catacomb of Priscilla

Photo Courtesy Scala/Art Resource

In many early images, the magi appear to point or gaze at a star overhead. Camels sometimes walk behind them, as in a fourth-century sarcophagus in the Vatican museum. 

In the following sixth-century mosaic from Ravenna, Italy, the sages carry gifts in fluted vessels. Followed by martyred saints, the wise men approach Mary and Jesus. The names Balthassar, Melchior, and Gaspar are inscribed above their heads.

The Ravenna Mosaic, courtesy Scala/Art Resource

In the mosaic above, Balthassar wears a long brown beard. Eventually, he would be described as an African or Moor. Melchior is a clean-shaven youth. Gaspar has long gray hair; over time, he would become the balding man who kneels before the babe in countless Renaissance images, including the following Italian painting.

Adoration of the Magi - Andrea Mantegna - Courtesy J. Paul Getty Museum

Why did the wise men think the star heralded the birth of a king?

As astrologers, the wise men may have interpreted the unusual star rising as an omen. As highly-educated sages and priests, they may have been familiar with Hebrew messianic prophecies.

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 24:17a NIV

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, 
     “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, 
a King who will reign wisely 
     and do what is just and right in the land."
          Jeremiah 23:5 NIV

The magi decided to investigate and followed the star's path first to King Herod and then to Bethlehem, where it appeared to stop over a house where the child had recently been born. The wise men paid the baby homage due a king and presented their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

What was the star?

In his commentary, John MacArthur states,

"This could not have been a supernova or a conjunction of planets, as some modern theories suggest, because of the way the star moved and settled over one place (Matt. 2:9). It is more likely a supernatural reality similar to the Shekinah that guided the Israelites in the days of Moses."

By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Exodus 13:21

I believe MacArthur's opinion, that the star led the wise men in a way similar to the pillar of fire guiding the Israelites, perfectly fits the miraculous story.

However, another opinion, also fitting the biblical record, is offered by Simo Parpola in "The Magi and the Star," BAS Bible Review December 2001.

Parpola writes that Babylonian astronomy holds the key to identifying the star and dating Jesus' birth. He theorizes that the magi believed the star would lead them to a new king. Why?

What did the magi know?

Although it is often translated "wise men," magoi, the term Matthew uses for magi, refers to Persian astronomers or scholars. Babylonian astronomy, tied to astrology and divination, interpreted signs in the heavens as messages from gods to the king.

With no telescopes in existance, the magi could view only five planets, but surviving almanacs reveal they could accurately compute significant movements of these planets and the moon in advance.

Parpola writes that modern science identifies several major astronomical events around the time Jesus was born. He dismissed all but one as being too early or late to be considered. However, ancient computations on four excavated clay tablets reveal how the magi understood a major conjunction in 7 B.C.E.

That there are four copies is remarkable, underscoring that this 11-month conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces was extremely rare. During this time, the planets met three times, appearing as a brilliant star.

How did this lead the wise men to search for a king?

Wise men follow the star - courtesy Deposit Photos

In Babylon, Jupiter was known as the star of Marduk, the supreme god. Saturn was the star of the king, the earthly representative of the god. Mars was the star of Amurru or the West (Syria-Palestine). This conjunction spoke a significant astrological message, and the magi would begin to analyze its meaning.

Why did they head west? And why visit Herod?

The second meeting of the planets occurred in the month of Tishri (October). Tishri being known as the month of Amurru would further inspire the magi to travel West. 

Jupiter and Saturn were in opposition to the sun and shining at their brightest. Jupiter (star of the supreme god) appeared directly above Saturn (star of the king). The constellation Pisces provided a stationary backdrop for the planets as they moved together through the night sky.

 

The magi's journey of about 750 miles from Babylon to Jerusalem would have taken about three weeks by donkey or camel. If they left in early October, they would have arrived before November 7, when Jupiter reached a second stationary point and the "traveling" star seemed to stop.

Parpola describes in interesting detail (The Magi and the Star) how the Earth and other planets overtake one another during their orbits. As the Earth caught the planet Jupiter in the sky, it would appear to pause, then travel backward until Earth passed. 

On November 20, Saturn reached another such overtaking. Both dates—the 7th for Jupiter and 20th for Saturn—would fit Matthew’s description of a star stopping above Bethlehem.

The third conjunction occurred on the 14th of Kislev, December 1. 

Parpola concludes, "How could a star lead the magi to Jerusalem and Bethlehem? These Babylonian astronomers would have 'followed' a star only based on its astrological significance. In 7 B.C.E., they read the message of the 'star'—that a messiah-king would be born in Syria-Palestine—and they headed to a leading political center in the region, King Herod’s court." 

Thank you for reading! May you have a blessed and merry Christmas.

WHIRLWIND ~ Whispers on the Wind, Book 2 

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A king's downfall and a love that transcends war

SPURNED BY POTENTIAL SUITORS, Miriam travels to Jezreel to care for her cousin’s son. There, the precocious seven-year-old works his way into her heart. When Arameans swarm the land like locusts, Miriam focuses on the safety of her young ward but promises adventures beyond the city walls when the war ends.

Gershon, a quiet and kind vintner, is happily building a life for his wife, son, and aging parents. But when his wife dies during childbirth and war looms on the horizon, he must make a decision—will he take a new wife before his heart can mend?

Meanwhile, Dov, a young officer crosses paths with the “bird girl” he remembers from the past, now grown to womanhood. That she is a beautiful woman matters not, as he is a career soldier. Unexpectedly charged with leading Ahab’s army against the Arameans, Dov anticipates death and defeat in Samaria, but when a prophet pledges victory, Dov vows to fight to the end.

When an unlikely victory brings freedom, a bright future seems imminent. Then one afternoon Miriam witnesses a tragedy and must flee with the boy to keep them both safe. With henchmen on their trail, will they find refuge—and her heart the home she’s longed for?

 

~

DANA MCNEELY writes biblical novels from an Arizona oasis, where she lives with her hubby the constant gardener, two good dogs, an antisocial cat, and myriad migrating butterflies. When not researching, writing, or struggling with the mysteries of social media, Dana can be found wandering in her personal Eden dreaming up new stories.

You may follow Dana at https://DanaMcNeely.com and receive a free eBook. The Eyes of the Lord is a prequel to Rain. 

For further reading ~

The MacArthur Bible Commentary Scholarly commentary on scripture and prophecy mentioned in this post.

 

Biblical Archeology Society Collection: The Three Magi  In this collection, various scholars, scientists, and historians have written about the Magi and the star in interesting detail.

Witnessing the Divine: The Magi in Art and Literature Also from Biblical Archeology, this article is the source of several images in this post. 

BAS Library - The Magi and the Star Source of the latter part of this post. Deep analysis of stars and planetary conjunctions leading to a plausible dating of Jesus' birth.

Kings or Wise Men? Who Really Visited Jesus from the East?

Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Adoration of the Magi ,

                         1655-1660 {PD}

by Kathleen Rouser 

Who were the mysterious magi and where did they come from?

They were possibly Zoroastrian priests from Persia which is modern-day Iran. Zoroastrianism purports belief in a single deity, Ahura Mazda, and that there is a conflict between good and evil. It dates back to the 6th century B.C.

Magi was a term created by those who were skeptical of their religion and is the root word for magician. In a negative terms in means “sorcerer.”

Those referred to as wise men in different biblical accounts were advisors to ancient kings. They would have been astrologers and interpreters of signs. Astrology at that time had closer ties to astronomy. They would have also been educated scholars.

Around 530 B.C. Daniel served in the Persian court of Cyrus. Were advisors to Darius, priests of a monotheistic religion, intrigued by the prophet who worshipped the one true God? Perhaps they had many conversations about scripture and prophecy of the Messiah, who would be the Savior of the world. Balaam’s prophecy in Numbers 24:17 states: "A star will rise from Jacob a scepter will emerge from Israel."(NLT)

One theory some theologians have proposed is that there was evidence that the message of the Gospel was in the stars until it was corrupted by astrology after the Tower of Babel had been built. Is it possible these wise men had searched for such a message in the stars and found the one star that they followed to the Messiah? The wise men came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:2, KJV)

The three Magi (Balthasar, Caspar, 
Melchior) !2th Century {PD}

When did they visit the baby Jesus?

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11, NLT)

Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. (Matthew 2:16, NLT)

When wise men are included in the Christmas narrative, they are often depicted visiting the baby Jesus at the site of the of manger where he was born, along with the shepherds who visited on the night of Jesus’ birth. However, two things would indicate that it could have been even a year or more later. Some translations say they entered the house to visit the child, not a place where a manger was kept. Also, Herod, to make sure he had no competition from this prophesied King of the Jews, decided to execute not only newborn infants, but every male child two years and younger. It’s likely that a year or two had passed and by then they were living in a house with a toddler-aged Jesus.

What was the significance of their gifts?

As quoted above, the wise men brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to give the child in an act of worship. One interpretation, that originated with Origen, in the time of the early church is that gold was a gift fit for a king, frankincense was a perfume to be offered to a God, and myrrh was an ointment for anointing a dead body, so it was associated with death. The symbolism of virtue is attributed to gold, prayer is attributed to frankincense, and sacrifice is attributed to myrrh. Gold and frankincense reflected the life the child would grow up to live and myrrh reflected the sacrifice He would make for us.

Caspar by Jan van Biljert,Oil on panel. 
Circa 1640–1650, Rau Antiques2018, [cc]

What traditional beliefs have come from the visit of the Wise Men?

Since the three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were presented to the Christ child, tradition has it that there were three wise men. However, in the eastern Syriac churches, the traditional number is twelve. The actual number is not mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew.

In western Christian tradition the names attributed to the supposed three wise men are Balthasar, from Arabia, Melchior from Persia, and Gaspar, from India. Eastern Christian traditions ascribe different names and sometimes different countries of origin than in the western church. However, in Matthew 2:12 it says they “returned to their own country.” In the original language this means a single place of origin.

They have also been referred to as kings. This tradition comes from viewing Psalm 72:10b, The eastern kings of Sheba and Seba will bring him gifts, as a prophecy of this event. Yet, there is no evidence in the Matthew 2 passage that they were kings.

While the wise men are often pictured as arriving by camel, these wealthy individuals likely covered the eight or nine hundred miles of their journey by riding swift Arabian horses, the preferred method of travel of the day. Camels were used mainly as pack animals.

James Tissot, "The Magi Journeying," c. 1890
Brooklyn Museum [cc]

So as you can see, traditions concerning the wise men from the east have risen and changed over the many centuries since the birth of Jesus. However, we can conclude that these men who gave of their riches and time to travel and seek out the King of Jews, believed He was deity. They truly were very wise men to worship the Messiah of the Jewish people, King of kings and Lord of lords, the Savior of the world. 

Please let me know in the comments if you've learned something new from this article. Or share something I didn't cover here. I would love to find out what others know/think about the wise men who visited Jesus. 

Kathleen Rouser is the multi-published author of the 2017 Bookvana Award winner, Rumors and Promises, her first novel about the people of fictional Stone Creek, Michigan, and its sequel, Secrets and Wishes. She is a longtime member in good standing of American Christian Fiction Writers. Kathleen wanted to be a writer before she could even read. She longs to create characters who resonate with readers and realize the need for a transforming Savior in their everyday lives. She lives in Michigan with her hero and husband of thirty-some years, and continues on the elusive quest to brew the perfect cup of coffee to enjoy while she is writing. Connect with Kathleen on her website at kathleenrouser.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kathleenerouser/, and on Twitter @KathleenRouser.

Bookvana Awards Winner

Sophie Biddle is an heiress on the run with a child in tow. Wary and self-reliant, Sophie is caught off guard when meeting a kind, but meddling and handsome minister at the local mercantile. Believing he has failed God and his former flock, the Reverend Ian McCormick is determined to start anew in Stone Creek, Michigan. While Sophie seeks acceptance for her child and a measure of respect for herself, the rumors swirl about her sordid past. Should Ian show concern for Sophie's plight? If he does, he'll risk losing everything — including his new position as pastor of Stone Creek. Will the scandals of their pasts bind them together, or drive both deeper into a spiral of shame?

The Naughty List and the History of That Dreaded Lump of Coal

by Kathleen L. Maher

Last year, I wrote about the legend of Santa Claus and its ties to my home state of New York. This year, I'm taking a departure South, that is to say, the South Pole, to explore the legends of Santa's controversial helpers for those designated to the Naughty List.

Black Pete
Last year I explored the early Dutch legend of Sinterklaas, the saintly night visitor who left treats for the good children in their shoes and stockings. These treats might be toys, fruit, nuts, candy, or even money. But Sinterklaas had a counterpart named Zwarte Piet, or Black Peter. He first appeared in a story in 1850 by schoolteacher Jan Schenkman, but the legend precedes this. Some say this Moorish Spaniard character dressed in Renaissance clothing has its roots as far back as the myth of Odin and his raven helpers Huginn and Muninn. When Odin leads the Wild Hunt, according to the legend, these figures would perch at the chimney and listen in on the mortals below, to report on the good and bad. And so it seems, Black Pete served a parallel role for Sinterklaas.

You wouldn't want to merit a visit from Black Pete at Christmastime. That would mean you were one of the bad children, undeserving of gifts. Instead, it is said Black Pete would leave a dirty lump of charcoal from the fireplace. Or a bundle of birch twigs called a "roe", implying you were due for a "Birching." Yikes! 

Krampus

If you thought Black Pete was scary, this figure would surely terrify you into being a good little child. In Germany, the benevolent figure of Saint Nicholas apparently wasn't enough incentive for kinderlings to finish their homework, clean their room, say their prayers and brush their teeth. For sass-talkers, slackers and rebels, the naughty list takes a nightmarish twist with the legend of Krampus. 

For starters, Krampus was half goat, and half demon. He is the Norse mythology son of Hel. The German word for claw, krampen, describes one of this creature's main attributes. On the night before St. Nicholas Day, Dec 6, or Krampusnacht, a naughty child would be lucky to get a lump of coal in his stocking, or even a whipping with a birch stick. Other versions are more nefarious, and I will leave them from this fun blog post. Shudder!

The pagan legend of Krampus was strictly forbidden by the Catholic Church, but some scholars believe these anti-St. Nicholas figures were created partly to ease the Saint's reputation as the bad guy. Who wants to celebrate a Santa that doles out fear and punishment for Christmas, anyway? 


La Befana
In Italy, the Santa Claus figure was actually an old woman who flew on a broomstick. La Befana wouldfly form house to house and sneak down the fireplace to leave either good gifts for nice children or lumps of coal for the bad. Possibly named for the Feast Day Eve on which she visits, La Festa dell'Epifania, she comes the night of January 5. 

Her legend, though to our modern ears sounding like a Halloween witch, is actually rather sweet. As the story goes, when the Magi left to follow the star to see the King who had been born, many set out to meet them to offer gifts to the baby. Befana was too busy with housework, and stayed behind sweeping. But the next day, after realizing she missed the Three Wise Men, she tried to hurry to catch up so she might give her gifts. She never did catch up to the Magi, so Befana spends every year circling with her broom and distributing her gifts to good children since she couldn't give them to the Christ child. But to the naughty boys and girls she brings cinders, onions and garlic. Blech! I'd rather have chocolate.

These legends were interesting to me as I researched a bit about them. I'm really glad we no longer scare our children with witches, goblins and ghosts at Christmastime. The real story of Jesus, who was born to save us from our sins, is so much more uplifting. I know I haven't always been a perfect angel, either as a child or as an adult. So I'm doubly grateful for the grace and hope that Jesus' birth brings.

With His true story in mind, I wish you all a

Joyeux Noël      Frohe Weinachten      Feliz Navidad         Buon Natale

Feliz Natal            Vrolijk kerstfeest

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Kathleen L. Maher has had an infatuation with books and fictional heroes ever since her preschool crush, Peter Rabbit. She is one of nine authors in Barbour's 2018 Victorian Christmas Brides Collection, and her story features her hometown of Elmira, New York. Her debut historical, Bachelor Buttons, blends her Irish heritage and love of the American Civil War. She won the 2012 ACFW Genesis contest for her Civil War story, released this summer under a new title The Abolitionist’s Daughter. Kathleen shares an old farmhouse in upstate New York with her husband, children, and a small zoo of rescued animals.

Follow Kathleen

on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KLMaherAuthor/

on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Mahereenie

and on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/kathleenlmaher

The Origins of Christmas--and Giveaway!

A very hearty HO HO HO to all of you!! In the UK the day after Christmas is known as Boxing Day, and traditionally the Christmas season extends through Epiphany on January 6. Which means it’s still the season to make merry. So in the true spirit of Christmas past, I’m going to delve into the history, traditions, and symbols of our Christmas celebration.

I’m offering 2 copies of my award-winning Christmas story, One Holy Night, for our drawing, so be sure to post a comment today before midnight to be entered! I’ll announce the winners tomorrow morning.

Now on to Christmas.

When Was Jesus Born?

There have been a number of theories about when Christ was actually born, but most of the evidence points to either 5 or 4 BC. The Bible records that Jesus was born during Herod’s reign, and Herod died in 4 BC. Consequently, Jesus could not have been born any later than 4 BC.

Engel erscheint den Hirten, anonymous Dutch painter

The scriptures also mention a Roman census at the time of Jesus birth. It is known that Herod the Great was a friend of Mark Antony. He, in turn, was on intimate terms with Caesar Augustus, who ordered this census. The census that most closely corresponds to the one mentioned in Luke is the Imperial Citizens Census decreed in 8 BC. Undoubtedly such an extensive census would have taken several years to complete and probably reached Palestine around 6 to 5 BC.

If Jesus was born in the winter of 6 BC, he would have been close to two years old when Herod ordered all the baby boys in Bethlehem to be killed not long before he died a painful death in the spring of 4 BC. If Jesus was born in 5 BC, then he would still have been a baby when his parents secretly fled with him to Egypt to escape Herod’s murderous designs.

The Adoration of the Magi, Abraham Bloemaert

Who Were the Magi?

These unnamed wise men were likely Zoroastrians from Persia. Since they are known to have studied the stars, it would have been natural for them to investigate an astrological phenomenon like the one recorded as announcing Jesus’ birth. It is also very credible that the journey from Persia to Bethlehem could have taken up to two years.

What Was the Star?

There are two theories that may identify the star the Magi followed to Bethlehem.

First, in December of 7 BC there was a confluence of Jupiter and Saturn. By February of 6 BC Mars was in close proximity to the two planets. Astrologically, this is known as Jupiter and Saturn in Pisces. To the ancients, Jupiter represented the greatest of the gods, while the sign of Pisces (the fish) would indicate that a very important ruler was to be born.

The second possibility is a comet that appeared for about seventy days in the late winter or early spring of 5-4 BC. Another comet then appeared in March of 4 BC. The Greek term for star is aster, which can be interpreted as any astrological phenomenon. That makes either of these comets also a possibility for the star that announced Jesus’ birth, especially since they would have been visible from Persia and would have appeared to be traveling westward.

In his book The First Christmas, Paul L. Maier suggests that the configuration of Jupiter with Saturn in 7-6 BC alerted the Magi that a new ruler would soon be born. Then when the comet of 5 BC appeared with its brilliant light, it is very believable that they would have followed it. Maier also believes that when Herod questioned the Magi about when they first saw the star, they described the astrological sign they had observed two years earlier. This would explain why Herod had all the baby boys in Bethlehem less than two years old killed.

Where Was Jesus Born?

Birth of Jesus by Gerard van Honthorst

Accounts of Jesus’ birth were documented early on. Origen (185-254 AD) wrote that he saw “the grotto with the manger where He [Jesus] was swaddled.” Stone feeding troughs contemporary to Jesus’ time have been excavated in stables in Bethlehem. The grotto that is the traditional birthplace has been saved from destruction several times. The first was because Emperor Hadrian (117-138 AD) tried to destroy the new Christian religion by building a temple to Adonis there. The result of his efforts was that the grotto was preserved, along with a record of its location and significance.

The first full account of a Christmas service at the grotto was written in the fourth century. Aetheria, a nun, described hangings of silk, decorations of gold and jewels, numerous lamps and candelabra, and the chanting of psalms during the sacrament of the Mass.

Why December 25?

The actual date of Christ’s birth has never been credibly established in spite of a number of attempts to do so. Church leaders early on began to speculate on the actual date of Jesus’ birth, with a number of dates being proposed. Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) favored May 20, while other church leaders argued for April 18, April 19, and May 28. Hippolytus (c.170-c.236) advocated January 2, and others argued for November 17, November 20, and March 25. A Latin treatise written around 243 set the date as March 21, the supposed date on which God created the sun. Polycarp (c.69-c.155) had already followed the same logic in concluding that Christ’s birth and baptism most likely occurred on a Wednesday because God created the sun on the fourth day of the week. But there wasn’t enough evidence available to conclusively prove any of these dates, and there were serious flaws to the calculations behind all of them.

So why was December 25 chosen as the date of Jesus’ birth? For one thing, December 25 was sacred not only to the Romans, but also to the Persians, whose religion was one of Christianity’s main rivals during the first century. Some scholars claim that the celebration of the Christ mass was instituted to compete with the pagan traditions that were creeping into the church.

From the beginning, celebrating Christmas was controversial. Origen (c.185 to c. 254) preached that the celebration of birthdays was for pagan gods, and that Christ would be dishonored if his birth was celebrated in the same way the pagans honored their rulers. The giving of lavish gifts and excesses of eating and drinking that accompanied pagan celebrations contrasted drastically with the nativity’s simplicity and offended church leaders. Even today, many people condemn these traditions as being contrary to the true spirit of Christmas.

Not all of Origen’s contemporaries agreed that Christ’s birthday should not be celebrated, however. In fact, the nativity has been observed in some form since 98 AD, and in 137 the bishop of Rome established it as a solemn feast day. As Christianity spread, individual churches increasingly adapted traditions from some of the pagan winter festivals practiced throughout the Middle East and Europe, such as hanging evergreens and giving presents, for their celebration of Jesus’ birth.

For the first three centuries of the Common Era, the celebration of Christ’s birth didn’t take place in December. When individual churches observed the nativity, they usually did so on January 6 during Epiphany, one of the church’s earliest feasts. Western Christians first celebrated the Christ mass on December 25 in 336, after Emperor Constantine declared Christianity the empire’s favored religion. That was the date of two other related festivals: natalis solis invicti, the Roman “birth of the unconquered sun,” and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian “Sun of Righteousness” whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. The winter solstice, another celebration of the sun, fell just a few days earlier. Since pagans already honored deities with some parallels to the true God, church leaders decided to appropriate the date by substituting their own festival. So in 350 AD, Pope Julius I set the observance of the Christ mass on December 25.

Although Eastern churches initially held on to January 6 as the date for Christ’s birth and baptism, most eventually also adopted December 25, while still celebrating his baptism on January 6. The Armenian Church continues to celebrate the nativity on January 6, while the Western church designates Epiphany as the date the Magi located the Christ child. The earliest English reference to December 25 as Christmas first appeared in late Old English in 1038 as Cristes Maesse, the Mass of Christ.

Traditional Christmas Customs

The Christmas Fair, Georg von Rosen

Many of our traditional Christmas customs appeared during the Middle Ages. The tradition of reenacting the nativity scene was introduced by Saint Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), when on Christmas Eve 1223, he and his companions worshiped in a cave near Greccio, Italy, surrounded by the traditional oxen, sheep, and donkeys. Saint Francis’ friars wrote the first festive songs that became the first Christmas carols. By the fourteenth century, carols were firmly established as a treasured part of the religious observance of Christ’s birthday.

Although the pagan origins of the date of Christmas and of many Christmas traditions have caused opposition to the holiday from the beginning, in general the church has viewed efforts to reshape the surrounding secular culture in a positive light. In 320 one theologian wrote, “We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it.” And to that, I say, Amen!

Do you have a favorite Christmas tradition, perhaps one you share with your family? If so, please share it with us!

I’m offering 2 copies of One Holy Night in the giveaway. Any comments posted before midnight will be entered and 2 winners will be chosen. Check back tomorrow morning to find out who the lucky winners are!

~~~

J. M. Hochstetler is the daughter of Mennonite farmers and a lifelong student of history. She is also an author, editor, and publisher. Her American Patriot Series is the only comprehensive historical fiction series on the American Revolution. Northkill, Book 1 of the Northkill Amish Series coauthored with Bob Hostetler, won Foreword Magazine’s 2014 INDY Book of the Year Bronze Award for historical fiction. Book 2, The Return, released April 1, 2017. One Holy Night, a contemporary retelling of the Christmas story, was the Christian Small Publishers 2009 Book of the Year.

Historical Tidbits behind the Nativity Story

In writing the script for a Christmas musical giving an intimate retelling of the Nativity story, I learned some fascinating tidbits that gave some new depth and context to the familiar account of Jesus’s birth for me. As we enter the special season of Christmas, I thought you might enjoy learning about them too!

Mary and Joseph’s Betrothal

Nazareth Village, By מוחמד מוסא שהואן, CC BY 2.5

We know that Mary and Joseph were betrothed before she became miraculously pregnant with Jesus, but what did that mean? Betrothal wasn’t the equivalent of our modern-day engagement; it was much more formal. A betrothed couple were actually considered married, though during the one-year betrothal period they did not live together nor engage in marital intimacy.

So how did betrothal work? It was a little different than today’s prospective groom down on one knee with a diamond ring. A young man went to the family of the girl whose hand he desired, usually accompanied by older male members of his own family. He would present the girl’s father with a mojar, a “bride price,” and the man would consider both the offer and the young man and extend his approval—or not.

But while the marriage was largely arranged by parents, Jewish girls were not typically forced into a match. The young woman’s consent would be asked, as we see hinted even back in Genesis 24 when Rebekah’s family ask her if she is willing to go with Abraham’s servant to marry Isaac.

Breaking the betrothal required a divorce, and for a betrothed girl to be unfaithful was the equivalent of adultery and could conceivably be punished by stoning (Deuteronomy 22). We can see hints of this in the first chapter of Matthew, where Joseph is pondering what to do about Mary’s unexpected pregnancy.

We see Joseph’s integrity and compassion, however, in that he did not want to expose Mary to public disgrace, but planned to divorce her secretly, though many in their village might have thought him right to shame her. And then, of course, the Lord mercifully sent an angel to Joseph as well, so that he too could take his place in the unfolding saga of the coming Messiah.

The Wise Men

The Magi, by Nina-no - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5

We all know of the wise men, or magi, who came from the East in search of the newborn King. But who were they, really, and where did they come from?

Most likely the magi came from Persia, modern day Iran. They would probably have been part of the ancient Zoroastrian religion. Zoroastrians were monotheists who believed in one good God and one evil power, but that the Good was an impersonal being who could not be truly known. The magi may have learned of Jewish prophecies of a coming Messiah through the Babylonian connection with Daniel. At any rate, they realized the significance of the sign they saw in the heavens and set off in search of this Messiah King—a journey that may have taken up to two years and covered more than one thousand miles.

So Mary and Joseph’s journey wasn’t the only long one part of the Christmas story. We might sometimes miss the significance of Gentiles—who would have been considered pagans by most people in Israel—being included among the first to greet Jesus and acknowledge Him as King.

The Shepherds

We sing and read about the shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night, and being the first to hear the announcement of Jesus’s birth. But we don’t always realize the significance there without understanding a little of the culture of the time.

While Jewish heroes such as Abraham and David had been shepherds, in first century Israel shepherding was not an exalted profession. With living out in the fields among their sheep, shepherds weren’t able to keep all the elaborate rules of cleanliness stipulated by the Pharisees and other religious leaders.

Adoration of the Shepherds. By Della Rocca, Casa d'aste, CC BY-SA 4.0 

Because of this, even though the shepherds—particularly in Bethlehem, so close to Jerusalem—performed the important duties of raising lambs for sacrifice, they were looked down upon or even treated as outcasts by more religious and upstanding Jews.

Small wonder the shepherds were “sore afraid” and startled when the angels of heaven’s armies appeared to announce to them the birth of the Messiah—and not just to announce, but to invite them to go and meet Him face to face, a Baby lying in a manger, poor and humble as one of them.

Were any of these historical tidbits new to you? Which of them add the most significance to the Nativity story for you? Please comment and share!

Kiersti Giron holds a life-long passion for history and historical fiction. She loves to write stories that show the intersection of past and present, explore relationships that bridge cultural divides, and probe the healing Jesus can bring out of brokenness. Kiersti has been published in several magazines and won the 2013 ACFW Genesis Award - Historical for her manuscript Beneath a Turquoise Sky. A high school teacher and member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Kiersti loves learning and growing with other writers penning God's story into theirs, as well as blogging at www.kierstigiron.com. She lives in California with her wonderful husband, Anthony.