If you know me I get “agitated” with modern day manger scenes that have everyone and their camel present. You know the picture: Mary, Jesus, Joseph, shepherds, wise men or magi, a cow, couple of sheep and several angels hanging on the roof rafters. But that also made me think that sometimes it is hard to keep all these events straight so I thought I would give you a basic outline of events as they unfold around Christ’s birth: So here is the order of the events in sequence around the birth of Christ:

• John’s birth foretold to Zechariah (Luke 1:5-25)
• Jesus birth foretold to Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
• Mary visits Elizabeth (Luke 1:39-40)
• Mary’s song of joy (Luke 1:46-56)
• John’s birth (Luke 1:57-66)
• Zechariah’s prophetic song (Luke 1:67-79)
• John’s early life (Luke 1:80)
• Circumstances around Jesus birth; the Lord intervenes with Joseph (Matt. 1:18-25)
• The birth of Jesus (Luke 2:1-7)
• Angels announce the birth to the shepherds who visit Jesus (Luke 2:8-20
• Circumcision of Jesus eight days later (Luke 2:21)
• Jesus presented at the temple and meeting with Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:22-38)
• Visit of the Magi at the house (Matt. 2:1-12)
• Flight into Egypt; Herod slaughters every male child under 2 years (Matt. 2:13-18)
• Joseph, Mary and Jesus return to Nazareth (Matt. 2:19-23)
• Jesus early life (Luke 2:40)
• Jesus first Passover in Jerusalem (Luke 2:41-50)
• Jesus growth into a young man (Luke 2:51-52)

I hope this has some value for you in keeping these events in order.  One point that you will notice here is that the Magi (wise men) were never at the manger or birthing caves. They came several weeks or even months later … consequently you know my … “frustration” with typical manger scenes.

Have a wonderful Christ-filled Christmas

May the true meaning of Christ be a real part of your story…

In His grace,

Pastor Brad Little