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Christmas story in Luke
1. Christmas story in Matthew
2. Christmas story in Luke
3. Tongue-tied
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [kjv]
και ειπεν ο αγγελος αυτη μη φοβου μαριαμ ευρες γαρ χαριν παρα τω θεω [gnt]
The ancient Greek word
"χαριν" ≈ "favor" is often translated as
"grace" or
"joy". The Greek word translated as
"with" is that of
"beyond".
Why was Mary tongue-tied and at her wits end when the angel told her to "Fear not"?
Mary thought the angel said "Be a frayed knot". Not to string you along, but that was a tie for a knotty joke.
Did you hear about the rope that got stranded on a deserted island? Actually, a chain of islands.
What a maroon!
4. Stranded angle
5. Mary
A connected logic argument that uses transitivity is as follows.
If "Mary is the mother of Jesus"
and "Jesus is the lamb of God",
then "Mary had a little lamb".
6. Luke 1:36-37
Luke 1:36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. [kjv]
1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. [kjv]
[approximate dating method using Josephus in 70 AD, 6th month, etc.]
7. Luke 1:37 Not impossible with God
Luke 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible. [kjv]
οτι ουκ αδυνατησει παρα του θεου παν ρημα [gnt]
Paraphrase:
Because (it is) not not potentially possible beyond every spoken word of God. (note the double negative)
The idea of
potentially possible means that it has not happened yet. About the 16th c., the
"all/every" "spoken word" disappeared. The "
of"
"God" was
changed to "
with"
"God".
Before this, the following were used.
4th century Latin Vulgate as "omne verbum" ≈ "every word".
5th century Wulfila Gothic as "ainhun waurde" ≈ "each word".
8th century Old Church Slavonic as "всяк глаголгол" ≈ "each word".
10th century Wessex Gospels Old English as "aelch word" ≈ "each word".
8. Luke 1:36
KJV: And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
Greek: και ιδου ελισαβετ η συγγενης συγγενις σου και αυτη συνειληφυια συνειληφεν υιον εν γηρα γηρει αυτης και ουτος μην εκτος εστιν αυτη τη καλουμενη στειρα
9. Luke 1:37
KJV: For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Greek: οτι ουκ αδυνατησει παρα τω θεω του θεου παν ρημα
10. Luke 2:1-6 Some cents about the need for a census
Luke 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. [kjv]
2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. ) [kjv]
2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. [kjv]
When they came to their
senses, Joseph told Mary it was time to travel on a
taxing journey. No
"taxi" to go register for
"taxes".
11. Luke 2:4 Bethlehem
Luke 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David: ) [kjv]
Bethlehem: "House of Bread".
Main industry: producing sacrificial lambs for the passover.
Fields of Bethlehem: Boaz met Ruth, grandmother of King David.
Who is the "
passover lamb" born in the "
House of Bread" who "
broke the rules" for you and me?
12. Luke 2:5-6 Mary with child
Luke 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. [kjv]
απογραψασθαι συν μαριαμ τη εμνηστευμενη αυτω ουση εγκυω [gnt]
2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. [kjv]
εγενετο δε εν τω ειναι αυτους εκει επλησθησαν αι ημεραι του τεκειν αυτην [gnt]
13. Luke 2:7 no room at the inn
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [kjv]
και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι [gnt]
The Greek word used by Luke means
"guest room" or
"upper room" as described for the Last Supper. It is used in the
LXX (Septuagint) as a place, such as house or tent, in which to lodge.
There is a Greek word for
"inn" which was used by Luke in the story of the Good Samaritan, but that word is not used here.
What did Mary and Joseph think about the "inn"?
They had reservations, but stayed anyway. The light was left on for them at this one star "hotel".
14. Table of nouns and verbs for catalyst
| Matthew 5:17 Leave the light on but do not use the law as a residence inn |
|
Noun |
Verb |
| Type |
place |
action |
| English |
catalyst (Elizabeth Fulhame, 1794)
catalytic converter |
catalyze |
| Greek |
κατάλυμα
κατάλυματι |
καταλύσαι |
| Meaning |
a camp
a guest room
an upper room |
to camp
to lodge
to reside
to nest
(to dissolve)
(to destroy) |
Can Jesus
change the rate of reaction (being saved) without getting consumed in the process? He did so for Zacchaeus.
15. Catalyst as a noun
Jesus and the Last Supper: This was already "
prepared".
Mark 14:14 … The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? [kjv]
και οπου εαν εισελθη ειπατε τω οικοδεσποτη οτι ο διδασκαλος λεγει που εστιν το καταλυμα μου οπου το πασχα μετα των μαθητων μου φαγω [gnt]
Mary and Joseph: Luke did not use the Greek word for
"inn".
Luke 2:7 … there was no room for them in the inn. [kjv]
και ετεκεν τον υιον αυτης τον πρωτοτοκον και εσπαργανωσεν αυτον και ανεκλινεν αυτον εν φατνη διοτι ουκ ην αυτοις τοπος εν τω καταλυματι [gnt]
Jesus and the Father's house: Place to
"remain", Latin used
"mansions".
John 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: … I go to prepare a place for you. [kjv]
εν τη οικια του πατρος μου μοναι πολλαι εισιν ει δε μη ειπον αν υμιν οτι πορευομαι ετοιμασαι τοπον υμιν [gnt]
16. Jesus and the law and Zaccheaus
Jesus and Zaccheaus: (verb). A few verses later is the Palm Sunday entrance of Jesus.
Luke 19:7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. [kjv]
και ιδοντες παντες διεγογγυζον λεγοντες οτι παρα αμαρτωλω ανδρι εισηλθεν καταλυσαι [gnt]
Jesus and the law and the prophets: (verb). This is near the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. [kjv]
μη νομισητε οτι ηλθον καταλυσαι τον νομον η τους προφητας ουκ ηλθον καταλυσαι αλλα πληρωσαι [gnt]
The English is
"fulfill" or
"fill full". The Greek for
"complete" can involve adding or taking away - as in a sculpture where parts of the material are chipped away.
17. Luke 1:14 Naive about the nativity
Luke 1:14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. [kjv]
και εσται χαρα σοι και αγαλλιασις και πολλοι επι τη γενεσει αυτου χαρησονται [gnt]
… gaudium … exultatio … nativitate … gaudebunt [v]
The
first "
live nativity" was done by St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) in
1223 in Greccio in central Italy.
Today, many churches have a "
live nativity" reenactment.
The Latin
"nativitas" ≈ "birth, nativity". From this we get
"native",
"nativity",
"naive", etc. The corresponding ancient Greek word
"γέννησις" ≈ "producing, beginning, birth"and is the source of the English word
"genesis".
18. Candy canes
Candy canes - straight ones - were popular in England by the 17th Century. Stripes were added later.
According to legend, in
1670, a German choirmaster wanted to give the children candy canes to keep them busy - for a
live nativity scene.
To make it a learning lesson, the
choirmaster had the candy maker make candy canes with hooks. How is that for a "
twist" on an old idea? Thus, they could be used as
ornaments for Christmas trees.
What addiction do tree ornaments suffer from?
They are hooked on trees.
19. Luke 2:8-21 Shepherds and Presbyterians
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. [kjv]
και ποιμενες ησαν εν τη χωρα τη αυτη αγραυλουντες και φυλασσοντες φυλακας της νυκτος επι την ποιμνην αυτων [gnt]
… pastores … custodientes vigilias … gregem … [v]
[Linus, Charlie Brown]
[Charles Schultz]
[network TV]
|
|
When the
"shepherds" were watching
there their flocks on Christmas night, were any of the
"shepherds" Presbyterians? Were any wearing frocks? Were any
washing socks?
The ancient Greek word "ποιμήν" (pee-MEEN) ≈ "shepherd, herdsman" which comes from the word for "protect" since the job of a shepherd was to protect the animals.
The Latin word "pastor" ≈ "shepherd" from which we get the English word "pastor".
20. Luke 2:9-10 Shepherds
Luke 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. [kjv]
και αγγελος κυριου επεστη αυτοις και δοξα κυριου περιελαμψεν αυτους και εφοβηθησαν φοβον μεγαν [gnt]
2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [kjv]
και ειπεν αυτοις ο αγγελος μη φοβεισθε ιδου γαρ ευαγγελιζομαι υμιν χαραν μεγαλην ητις εσται παντι τω λαω [gnt]
21. Luke 2:11-12 Shepherds
Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. [kjv]
οτι ετεχθη υμιν σημερον σωτηρ ος εστιν χριστος κυριος εν πολει δαυιδ [gnt]
2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. [kjv]
και τουτο υμιν σημειον ευρησετε βρεφος εσπαργανωμενον και κειμενον εν φατνη [gnt]
22. Luke 2:13-14 Angels singing
In the popular animated Charlie Brown Christmas special (1965), Linus explains the true meaning of Christmas by reading from scripture. Charles Shultz insisted that the Bible reading be included. On a short timeline, the network agreed.
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [kjv]
2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
There is
one angel mentioned and a
multitude of heavenly host. Where do we get the idea that the angels sang it the birth of Jesus?
23. Song: Hark the herald angels sing
Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, [kjv]
και εξαιφνης εγενετο συν τω αγγελω πληθος στρατιας ουρανιου αινουντων τον θεον και λεγοντων [gnt]
Charles Wesley (1707-1788) wrote: "Hark the herald welkins ring".
George Whitefield (1714-1770) changed it to: "Hark the herald angels sing".
Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) wrote music, also "Wedding march".
Ever since, angels have been singing at Christmas in songs, devotionals, etc.
The German word
"die Wolke" ≈ "the cloud" which is related to the Old English word
"welcan" ≈ "cloud".
[Elizabeth Hughes and Elizabethtown]
24. Verse 1
Hark! the herald angels sing , Glory to the new-born King
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled
Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies
With angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem
Hark! the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King
25. Luke 2:14 Paraphrase
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [kjv]
δοξα εν υψιστοις θεω και επι γης ειρηνη εν ανθρωποις ευδοκιας [gnt]
The Greek for "glory" is that of "opinion" or "expectation".
The Greek for "good will" is that of "good opinion" or "good expectation".
Paraphrase: Expectation/opinion in the highest (from earth) to God and on the earth peace in men of a good expectation.
God has a high opinion and a good expectation that men will be peaceful on earth. To support the
KJV (King James Version) translation, the
second Greek
"in" is to the English
"towards". To support the Greek
"in", translations like the
NIV (New International Version) use the following.
NIV: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
26. Luke 2:15-16 Manger
Luke 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. [kjv]
και εγενετο ως απηλθον απ αυτων εις τον ουρανον οι αγγελοι οι ποιμενες ελαλουν προς αλληλους διελθωμεν δη εως βηθλεεμ και ιδωμεν το ρημα τουτο το γεγονος ο ο κυριος εγνωρισεν ημιν [gnt]
2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [kjv]
και ηλθαν σπευσαντες και ανευραν την τε μαριαμ και τον ιωσηφ και το βρεφος κειμενον εν τη φατνη [gnt]
[sheep leaving the flock, shepherds leaving the flock]
27. Luke 2:17-18 Manger
Luke 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. [kjv]
ιδοντες δε εγνωρισαν περι του ρηματος του λαληθεντος αυτοις περι του παιδιου τουτου [gnt]
2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. [kjv]
και παντες οι ακουσαντες εθαυμασαν περι των λαληθεντων υπο των ποιμενων προς αυτους [gnt]
28. Luke 2:19-20 Mary
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. [kjv]
η δε μαρια παντα συνετηρει τα ρηματα ταυτα συμβαλλουσα εν τη καρδια αυτης [gnt]
2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. [kjv]
και υπεστρεψαν οι ποιμενες δοξαζοντες και αινουντες τον θεον επι πασιν οις ηκουσαν και ειδον καθως ελαληθη προς αυτους [gnt]
What is the
difference in the following?
Give "glory" or "opinion" (inward expression) to God.
Give "praise" as an outward expression to God.
29. Luke 2:21
Luke 2:21 And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. [kjv]
και οτε επλησθησαν ημεραι οκτω του περιτεμειν αυτον και εκληθη το ονομα αυτου ιησους το κληθεν υπο του αγγελου προ του συλλημφθηναι αυτον εν τη κοιλια [gnt]
[Jesus, Joshua]
This verse ends the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus in Luke.
30. The reason for the season
What is the "
reason for the season" at Christmas? Which of the following Gospels talk about the birth of Jesus?
Matthew
Herod, Magi and gifts. How, some hints of why.
Mark
Mark is Peter's Gospel. No clear mention of birth of Jesus.
Luke
Shepherds and angels. How, some hints of why.
John
John tells that Jesus was born and why Jesus was born.
31. Song: What child is this?
The song "
What child is this" was written in 1865 in England by William Chatterton Dix, during a personal spiritual revival while recovering from a severe illness. It was not published until 1871.
Note: Fort Dix is named for General Adams Dix from the War of 1812.
Who is speaking in the song?
The shepherds are speaking their thoughts and questions as they see the baby Jesus.
What do sheep say at Christmas?
Season's Bleatings.
Merry Christmas! Happy Holy Days!
32. Verse 1
What child is this, who, laid to rest,
On Mary's lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:
Haste, haste to bring Him laud,
The babe, the son of Mary.
33. End of page
