REASON FOR THE SEASON....Day 19

Yesterday I  presented you a quiz by David Langerfeld to see how well you know the Biblical version of the birth of Jesus.  How do you think you did?  Check it out below and see:

1. A. He worked and lived in Nazareth, but he was returning to Bethlehem - “his own city” (See Luke 2:3).

2. E. The innkeeper didn’t “say” anything (See Luke 2:7).

3. C. Feeding trough - Interestingly enough, most mangers in New Testament times were made of stone. If you visit Israel today, you can see stone mangers used by Solomon to feed his horses at Megiddo.

4. E. The Bible doesn’t say, we just assume that since Jesus was born in a stable that there were various barnyard animals present.

5. E. This is a “trick” question. The “magi” saw the star. However, the Bible doesn’t say how many there were and they were not kings, but astronomers (see answer 14).

6. F. Although the modern “pictures” in my Children’s Bible show Mary on a donkey with Joseph beside her, the Bible doesn’t say! 

7. A. Luke 2:10.

8. A. Luke 2:14.

9. D. The word means “army” - literally thousands. Now, since there was a “multitude” of the heavenly army” (hosts), there could easily have been from 10,000 - 100,000 angels there that night! No wonder the shepherds were “sore afraid"! 

10. D. Another trick question. There is always snow on Mt. Hermon.

11. C. Frankincense was used in the temple worship of the Lord. It represents his deity because he is truly God born in human flesh.

12. C. The word “Magi” literally means “star-gazers”. Although there is no Biblical record of exactly who they were or their point of origin, I personally believe that they were descendants of the “wise men” of Babylon. I believe that God, in His great providence, used Daniel (while he was in captivity in Babylon), to teach these men about future events - including the birth of the Savior of the world. Read Daniel 5:11 - Daniel was put in charge of these men! 

13. D. Herod was buried with over 150 lbs. of Myrrh wrapped in his burial clothes. 

14. E. We don’t know. They were magi, not wise men - but the Bible doesn’t give the number. Many people assume that there were three because of the three gifts. However, in ancient times these men usually traveled in caravans of ten to twelve, along with a full entourage for protection.

15. E. Read Matthew 2:11 (see next answer)

16. B. Read Matthew 2:11 When the Shepherds found Jesus (Luke 2), he was a “babe” in a manger. The Greek word used in Luke 2 is for a “newborn baby”. However, by the time the Magi appeared, Jesus had been moved from the manger to a house (verse 11) and the Greek word used in Matthew is for “toddler or young child”. He was probably somewhere between 12-24 months old.

17. C. Read Matthew 2:9 Most people miss this question. The star did not stay stationary over the manger or the house. This verse makes it clear that the star moved “in front” of the magi and guided them till it “stood over where the young child was.”

18. B. Read Matthew 2:2.

19. G. Isn’t it amazing how God divinely inspired these two gospel writers to write His exact words, but he used their interests and professions to recall different aspects of Jesus’ birth. Matthew, a tax collector, records the genealogy of Jesus (used for taxation) and the “magi” - men of means from a foreign country. Luke, a physician, records the pregnancy and birth.

20. E. Joseph wants to “put her away” secretly and Mary left town to see her cousin. Matthew 1:19 and Luke 1:39, 56

21. E. “There went out a decree from Caesar Augustus... everyone into his own city... “ (Luke 2:1-5). 

Isn't it amazing the details we can overlook or take for granted?!  Also, familiarity can breed laziness when it comes to the Bible.  We can so easily allow Hollywood, greeting card companies, gift vendors and others to paint our picture of CHRISTmas, instead of getting our facts straight from God's Word.  And, we not only do this with CHRISTmas, but also with other Biblical events as well.  With the plethora of devotionals on the market today, many read those and only those for their Bible reading.  As good as many of those are....and I have quite a few that I like to read on a regular basis....they are NOT a substitute for God's Word.

As my friend, Iva May, shared, we can easily become mal-nourished spiritually if we persist in this kind of diet:

"Supplements, Substitutions, and Sustenance

Vitamins are called supplements for a reason. They were never meant to substitute for a well-balanced meal, but to replace small, but important, pieces that may be missing from the meal.
Similarly, the writings of Christian authors cannot displace the steady diet of the story of God’s interaction with man—of God’s Word. Yet, many Christ-followers subsist on a diet of man’s books instead of God’s. It’s no wonder that many are spiritually malnourished.
Throughout Israel’s history they abandoned healthy spiritual eating. Don't be like Israel. Be healthy. Join the Bible Literacy Movement! www.chronologicalbibleteaching.com"

Don't be misled or malnourished this CHRISTmas.  Open your Bible and read the true story for yourself.  The Bible is God's story and one we need to immerse ourselves in every day in order to truly know Him!