12-14-08

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(Luke 2:1-5)  And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem [Heb: house of bread]; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused [Gk: betrothed (engaged)] wife, being great with child.

1.       Joseph = Heb: let him add, adding.

2.       Mary = Heb: rebellious /// bitterness, i.e. (fig.) rebellion; concr. bitter, or rebellious:--bitter, (most) rebel (-ion, -lious).

a.       (Heb 12:14-16)  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled [Gk: sully or tainted, contaminated]; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. [the root of bitterness is derived from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil]

3.       Commentary: Patterns: Joseph (Heb: let him add, adding) the bridegroom was “a just [Gk: righteous] man” (Mat 1:19) who symbolizes Jesus Christ. Joseph married Mary the bride, figuratively a bitter and rebellious woman who symbolizes us, but Joseph did not immediately consummate the marriage, which parallels exactly our present relationship with Jesus Christ. During their engagement, prior to consummation, Christ was born of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, during our engagement, prior to consummation (the Second Coming), many Christs are being born of the Holy Spirit.

(Luke 2:6-8)  And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 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. And there were in the same country shepherds [Gk: pastors] abiding in the field, keeping watch [Gk: guarding] over their flock by night.

1.       delivered = Gk: to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), lit. or fig.:--bear, be born, bring forth, be delivered, be in travail.

2.       swaddling clothes = (to strap or wrap with strips); to swathe (an infant after the Oriental custom):--wrap in swaddling clothes.

a.       swaddle = Dict: 1. to bind (an infant, esp. a new born infant) with long narrow strips of cloth to prevent free movement; wrap tightly with clothes. 2. to wrap (anything) round with bandages.

3.       manger = Gk: (to eat); a crib (for fodder):--manger, stall. [located inside a barn (Mat 13:30, positive associations) or a cave (negative associations) or a tent (spiritual associations)]

4.       Commentary: Why was Jesus born in a stable? Because the stable was, figuratively and literally, the only safe place of the three possibilities: the inn, the stable, the field. Why?

(Luke 2:8-14)  And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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 [the sin in us reaction to holiness]. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

1.       round about them = Gk: perilampo, perilampo, perilampo; to illuminate all around, i.e. invest with a halo:--shine round about /// lampo; to beam, i.e. radiate brilliancy (lit. or fig.):--give light, shine.

(Luke 2:15-19)  And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds [Gk: pastors] 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. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Amen

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