response to Jesus birth and Christmas....

Yes... Christmas today is not based on a single day of events, but actually a combination of traditions pooled over the years. Many of these traditions are straight from pagan customs. The Roman government in the early years wanted to have a religion for all to celebrate so they combined practices from far and wide to keep everyone included. We do not know the exact day of Jesus birth (it was likely not even in the winter) but none of this is the point of the teaching of the virgin birth. God never told us to celebrate Christmas. We do, out of choice, and with customs straight from paganism.... all very true. Bottom line.... this does nothing to negate the virgin birth of Jesus Christ.

The first Christ followers (christians) were mostly Jews. The 3 gospels (called synoptic gospels because of their similar writing) were written to 3 distinct audiences because of the writers knowledge and the audience they were writing to. Therefore, there is a different emphasis in each of them. They do not contradict, but do put more emphasis on certain parts of the story. Johns gospel was written later so he includes things from a little different angle. All of them were based on oral tradition and eye witness reports, so have a different angle on the same events.

Matthew focused his writings on the Jews. He assumes they are well versed in the old testament and traces scripture to show Jesus as descendent from Abraham and son of David. His main purpose was to prove to his Jewish reader that Jesus is their promised Messiah. He mostly shows this through fulfillment of the prophecies stated in the OT. Mark, through his explanation of various Jewish customs seems to be talking to a mostly gentile audience. He talks of persecution and things of special concern to the Roman believers. He seems to emphasize more of what Jesus did than what he said. Luke, probably a Gentile by birth, was well educated in Greek culture and a physician by profession. He focuses on the works and teaching of Jesus that are espicially important for understanding the way of salvation. Because of his education, his accounts seem to appeal to both Jew and Gentile. Luke seems to bring out the fact that Jews and Gentiles are both in God's plan. John states flat out that he wrote so all may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name. When studied together these gospels give a complete picture of the years of Jesus as he was born and taught and was crucified and rose from the dead.

With this in mind, I will attempt to explain the article Michael included refering to Jesus birth being a myth and full of contradictions. Yes, the early christians were in fact a lot of Jews. Being Jewish is like being Irish.... Even though you my be a christian, it does not change your heritage. The apostle Paul did in fact know of the virgin birth, but his mission was to teach how to live out christianity, not teach about the virgin birth. So, yes, he does not mention it. Each writer was inspired by God so did not all include the same descriptions of the same events. In galations Paul refers to Jesus being born of a woman to show his human side. He was conceived by the spirit of God, but born of a woman. (God made man) Mark focused of being a disciple of Jesus and was especially focused on the Gentiles in Rome. Therefore, he did not start with the birth of Jesus, but rather with the start of his adult ministry. Just because John states Joseph to be Jesus legal father here on earth does not negate his being the son of God.

As to Jesus ancestry, tracing him to the line of David, they are the same. Luke has all the generations mentioned, going in reverse from Joseph to Adam, showing Jesus relationship to the whole human race. Matthew only mentions the heirs to the throne of David showing his Kingly role. Luke includes Mary in the geneology (seen as a discrepencey mentioning Heli) Mark 12:35-37 does not question Jesus as Messiah, but rather show he is more than the son of David, but as David declared he is Lord.

As far as the birth and the magi coming, this all happened over multiple years. We have put these in together in the christmas celebration as the same event but know fully well that it actually was multiple years. Joseph did have to go to register because he was from the line of David. There were multitudes of people being this was a new decree. Both gospels say they lived in Nazareth, but Jesus was born in Bethlahem. John quotes confusion of some of the people of the time in Ch 7, but nowhere does he validate these thoughts.

A star leading or directing people to Jesus?? Why not?? Scripture tells of the Israelites being lead through the desert by a cloud by day and fire by night. This is God leading.... He really can do it anyway he wants. Humans are still unable to use our humans minds to understand the ways of God. Camels are not mentioned in the new testament.... nor are dogs, cats etc. Does that mean they did not exist?? I think not. Besides, what does the mention of camels have to do with the virgin birth??

When someone gives more detail in a story than another person, do we say the one with the shorter story got it wrong?? (men, think of you telling a story and your wife telling a story... doesn't one of you typically have more details than the other?? Does that change the accuracy of the story?? ) The things mentioned in the acticle on chrismas as discrepencies in the gospels concerning Jesus early years are all of this situation. Some gospel writters give more detail than others. If you read each one and compare them to each other, they do not contradict, but rather have more or less detail given.

Bottom line.... we as humans will never be able to fully comprehend how Jesus can be fully God and fully man and because of this never sin. We will never be able to explain how he can know everything even before it happens. And, why does he create us even tho he knows we will not always make wise choices -- sometimes even horrible choices?? In human terms, he is a selfish God. He creates us to give Him glory and have no other gods before him. After all, He is God and gets to make the rules. And, in the end, giving glory and worship to Him, gives me everlasting peace, purpose in my life here on earth and ultimately everlasting life with Him in heaven.

Was Jesus born of a virgin? Yes... Are we commanded to have a special celebration of this event? No. Over the years we have put together a list of traditions that make up the celebration of christmas. The celebration itself is made by humans. It is simply a tool we have chosen to use to remember the birth of Jesus. Some choose to celebrate it without Jesus at all and only talk about Santa Claus. That is their choice. It still does not negate the virgin birth. And while Jesus birth is a miracle, it is incomplete without his death and resurrection. He was born to die as the perfect sacrifice for your sins and mine. And, without the resurrection he died for no reason. And, if I could get to heaven any other way, his death was not even necessary and he was in fact wasting his time. I DO need a savior and am forever thankful for what Christ did for me. And yes, that did require being born....

For now.... enough said!

May God richly bless you all this Christmas season!!
In Christ, Mary