God created man to be in perfect fellowship with him. Sin (the fall) broke this relationship. As early as Genesis 3, we see the protoevangelium, the “first good news”. From Deuteronomy to Malachi, prophets told of the day when the God of Israel would come to earth and become their Savior and Messiah.

- Deuteronomy 18:15

- Psalm 22

- Isaiah 9: 6-7

- Isaiah 53

- Jeremiah 23:5-6

- Daniel 7:13-14

- Micah 5:2

- Zechariah 9:9

- Malachi 3:1

- Galatians 3:16

We find the familiar narrative of the birth of Jesus in two primary texts, Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1.

- Matthew 1-2

- Luke 1

Some of these promises were fulfilled in the first coming of Jesus. Others point to the second advent, His second coming. In fact, there are eight times as many references to Christ’s second coming as there are prophecies of his first coming. When Jesus comes again, we believe He will once again return believers into perfect fellowship with Himself – the best and final meaning of “God with us”!

- Acts 1:10-11

- Revelation 21:1-5

The full account of Jesus life, death, burial and resurrection gives us a fuller appreciation of the birth of Jesus. And looking ahead toward His second coming reminds us that His work is not finished! It gives comfort when we suffer, significance to today’s activities, and hope for the future. This also motivates the believer to share the hope we have with others who do not yet believe. We do not know the day or the hour, so let us live as if Jesus’ return could be today!

Our traditional manger scene isn’t quite right. The wise men (or Magi) likely visited at least several weeks, perhaps up to two years, after the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:22 speaks of the dedication of Jesus in the Temple, which would come at least 40 days after His birth to allow for Mary’s purification under Levitical law. Matthew 2:11 speaks of the wise men visiting Mary and her child in a house, not a stable. At the latest, Jesus could have been approaching two years old, as evidenced by Herod’s edict in Matthew 2:16.

And who were these wise men – did they come to worship Jesus? These were likely high priests from Parthia, Persians living east of Jerusalem. You may remember Magi from the story of Daniel! It is certainly possible that Daniel’s writings left them searching the prophecies of the Old Testament, aware of the promise of a coming Messiah. Their appearance looking for a king would have alarmed Herod for more than religious reasons.

This additional information isn’t much help to children setting up the traditional manger figures, but it does deepen our understanding of the gospel accounts.