The Time of Christ’s Birth
20 December 2020 PM – Galatians 4:4 – Christmas – Scott Childs
Introduction: In Matthew 2:1, we read, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,” Thus, we know that Herod was yet alive when Christ was born. Historian Josephus states that an eclipse of the moon occurred shortly before Herod’s death. That eclipse took place in March of 4 B.C. Therefore, Christ could not have been born later than March/April of 4 B.C. Pentecost, The Words & Works of Jesus Christ, p. 56 Pentecost continues, “Although the exact date may not be pinpointed it seems that there is ‘a relatively old tradition of a midwinter birth, therefore a date in December or January is not in itself unlikely.’” p.57
God has not revealed to us the exact date on which Christ was born, but we know that it was the timing was perfect.
Transition: As we consider the time of Christ’s birth, I want us to note that it was Planned, Predicted, and Precise that these facts might fortify our faith.
1. The Time of Christ’s birth was Planned
a. God planned it before the world began
1) (2 Timothy 1:9) “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,“
2) (Titus 1:2) “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;“
3) In eternity past, God knew that the humans He would create would sin and need Him to become a man to save them. Thus, over 6,000 years ago, God planned the birth of Christ.
b. God introduced His plan in Genesis
1) When Adam and Eve did sin, God introduced His plan to the human race. (Genesis 3:15) “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.“
2) We can follow that promised “seed” of the woman in the Old Testament and find it fulfilled in the New Testament. (Galatians 3:16) “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.“
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The Time of Christ’s birth was Predicted