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Although it wasn't commanded by GOD, Christmas is the time of year Christians have accepted to celebrate
the birth of our Saviour, JESUS. We are told through the Bible that whatever we do, is to be done in the name of
CHRIST. Unfortunately, many false conceptions about His birth have been handed down through the years. It behooves us
to correctly interpret the story of this glorious event stated in the Bible. In order to do so, we must understand
the customs, habits and laws of the Middle East during that time of Roman rule and understand the meanings of the Hebrew
and Greek words from which the English translation was taken. Several questions need to be answered:
1) How old were Joseph and Mary?
The ages of Joseph and Mary are not mentioned. They would have been a fairly young married couple, since
after the birth of JESUS, they had six of their own children. Since Mary usually gets most of the attention, people usually
do not consider the fact that Joseph would have been a virgin also.
I believe Joseph might have been 30 years old. JESUS was 30 when he began his Ministry. Joseph was 30
when he became second-in-command to Pharoah in Egypt. A man had to be 30 to become a priest in the Tabernacle of the
Congregation. I believe Mary might have been at least 20 years old. According to the Book of Numbers, a man had to be at least
20 before he was allowed to go to war. This indicates to me that GOD considers a person to be physically an adult at
that age, while the age of 30 indicates the age of leadership.
GOD would not have intrusted the birth and care of the Holy One to just anybody. In addition to being
virgins and clean before the Almighty, the parents would need to have a certain amount of maturity and wisdom.
2) Where was JESUS born in Bethlehem?
The word "inn" appears just twice in the Bible, both times in the Book of Luke. In the "Parable
of the Good Samaritan", the wounded man was taken to an "inn", translated from the Greek word "pandocheion", which means
a public lodging place and nothing else. In the story of JESUS' birth, the word "inn" was thought to be the proper translation
for the Greek word "kataluma", which means a place in which a journey is broken up or ended. This word could mean a house,
a tent or an inn, etc. The Bible clearly states that GOD is not the author of confusion. By process of elimination, the word
"kataluma" could not have been an inn because if it had, Luke would have used the word "pandocheion", like he did in the parable
of the Good Samaritan. Matthew tells us that the wise men found JESUS in a house. Therefore, "kataluma" should have been translated
as a house and not an inn. There is no place in the Bible which gives witness that He was born at an inn or in the stable
of an inn. Matthew gives witness that He was born in a house.
Joseph was required by Caesar Augustus to go back to Bethlehem, the place of his birth, to register to
pay taxes. He would have stayed with relatives, probably the house he grew up in. During that time, inns were usually for
rich people such as kings, princes and wealthy merchants, etc. Common people of that era did not usually accumulate
or use gold coins or precious jewels. These were usually reserved for the rich. This is what makes the parable of the
"Good Samaritan" so profound. It would have cost the Samaritan, a common man, a lot of money to pay for the inn where
he took the wounded person. People like Joseph usually made what they needed and traded for the rest. He was not poor
as some people may think. He was a well-known carpenter and a good one. Keep in mind that in addition to providing for JESUS
in his youth, Joseph also provided for four sons and two daughters. Even so, why should he
spend a lot of money at an inn when he could stay with relatives for free?
3) Was He born in a stable?
The word "manger", was translated from the Greek word "phatne", which means a crib for fodder, associated
with the feeding of animals. The men who translated the Bible into English wrongly concluded that mangers were only
to be found in stables which an inn would have had. This is where an understanding of Middle Eastern life in that area
is necessary. Jus like we have pet dishes for our dogs and cats etc., mangers were also found at peasants' or
farmers' houses in which the common people lived in order to feed their animals, such as sheep, which they considered as pets. Not
all, but many of these houses had a back porch or patio type of area with two walls and a roof
and an open side which led into the back yard or back area. On one or two sides were to be found mangers, which were
usually made of wood or stone. During the winter months the mangers were used to feed the animals, which were kept close to
the house, because it was too cold to tend them in the fields. However, during the warm months of Spring and Summer, the animals
were taken out and tended to in the fields. The mangers were then cleaned out and filled with fresh straw and bedding. They
were then used as cribs for babies or beds for small children.
Not understanding this custom and wrongly believing that Mary and Joseph stayed at an inn, the
translators figured that a kindly innkeeper let Mary and Joseph use a stall in the stables,
because there was no room at the inn. This doesn't make sense because no innkeeper in his right mind would have
caused a pregnant woman to have her baby born in a dirty animal stall. People in the Middle East are very adamant about hospitality.
He would have given her his own room instead, if needs be. Any innkeeper so cruel as to send a woman to a stable
to have her baby, would have probably been stoned to death. Also, consider this. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a kind,
honest and goodly man. He certainly would not have allowed Mary to give birth in a filthy stable. Keep in mind that
the word "innkeeper" is to be found nowhere in the Bible. Also, the word "stable" is to be found nowhere in the New Testament
concerning the Birth of Christ.
4) Was He born the same night Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem?
It must be noted that Mary didn't have JESUS the same day she arrived in town like the "inn theory" would
have you believe. Joseph and Mary had spent a certain amount of time in the house before He was born. Just how many days
or weeks we don't know. Luke tells us: "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered."
5) What does, "there was no room in the inn" mean?
The firstborn of any man child in that area back then was a big event such as marriages. Since it was
a small town, people from all over Bethlehem and the surrounding countryside such as relatives, friends, travelers, and
even Roman soldiers stationed there, would have stopped to see the baby and to see what all the excitement was about. This
is because being the firstborn, he would someday be the patriarch of the family. Remember also, that the angel of the Lord
told the shepherds and wise men about the newborn King. Although they weren't mentioned, others would have been told by the angel, also.
Hearing that the Saviour had been born greatly increased the excitement. So, whether believing JESUS was the firstborn
of Joseph or believing he was the Savior of Mankind, the house had become so crowded with well-wishers and other visitors,
that Mary finally had to take JESUS to the back porch area and put Him in a manger, which had already been cleaned and
made ready for small children. This way, everyone could see Him. Keep in mind that JESUS was not born in a manger, he was
laid in a manger. He was born in a house, quite possibly the one Joseph grew up in, where Joseph and Mary were staying
while in Bethlehem.
It has also been thought that JESUS was born in a cave-like or basement area of a house, which many dwellings
in that area had. In these places, a manger was usually carved out of a stone wall. This type area can be ruled out for two
reasons:
1) There would not have been enough room for everyone to see the newborn Saviour.
2) The Bible clearly states that an angel stood over the baby JESUS. Neither an angel or anyone
else could have stood over the baby if He had been placed in a manger carved into a stone wall.
From what I understand, there is a place in Bethlehem where you can see the actual cave-like area JESUS
was born in. Don't believe it. It's just another fake religious piece of idol worship which GOD tells us to stay away from.
6) How many wise men were there?
The Bible does not say how many there were. One false tradition claims there were three of them.
This probably came about because three types of gifts were mentioned as being given to the Saviour at
His birth. We don't know how many wise men there were, nor do we know how many gifts were given. I'm sure there were many
more than what people might think.
7) What is meant by the star mentioned in the story?
Another false tradition is that a heavenly body, meaning a star, shone over JESUS and showed the wise
men where He was at. If this were true, for one thing, King Herod would have had no need to ask the wise men to search for
the whereabouts of the newborn King. He could have looked out his palace window and saw where the star was shining. The star
mentioned in the record of the birth of the CHRIST was not a heavenly body, but an angel. Sometimes in the Bible, beings are
referred to as stars. Revelation 22:16 tells us that JESUS is the "bright and Morning Star". Numbers 24:17 tells us that a
Star, meaning JESUS, would rise out of Jacob. In Revelation 22:16, JESUS tells us that He sent His star to testify unto us.
It was this same angel/star which told Mary, the wise men and the shepherds about His coming. It was this same angel/star
which the wise men saw in the East, led them to the newborn King and stood over Him while he lay in the manger.
8) What time of year was JESUS born?
JESUS was not born on December 25th. This would be in the Winter time. One point being that Caesar Augustas would not have
been so cruel as to make people travel to their birthplaces during the cold season. This would have caused a lot of hardship
and cause resentment among the Jews who he wanted to keep in line. Another point being is that the shepherds were in their
fields tending their sheep. They only do this in the warm season. When the cold season comes, they bring their flocks near
their homes and feed them using mangers. JESUS would have been born some time in late Spring or Early Summer.
In conclusion, even though he is King of kings, JESUS was born in a common man's house, rather than a
palace. One reason being that in this way, GOD signified that His Son was for all people, not just the rich and that His Kingdom
was not of this Earth, but of the perfect World which was to come. To have had JESUS born in a stable or a cave, would
have been ludicrous and would have signified nothing. Always keep in mind that it was GOD's Plan that JESUS should be born
of a common birth, rather than a royal birth. Therefore He would have been born in a common man's house, rather than a king
or rich man's residence. Inns were used by royalty or rich merchants. Even had JESUS been born in an inn's stable, He would
have still been amongst the royalty and the rich instead of surrounded by common men.
There are many rumors and false disceptions which are causing us to become divided. Relgious nonsense
is one of them. I urge each person to study the Bible and the U.S. Constitutution and learn the Truth and learn how your Government
operates.
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year for many years!!!
GARRY DASHNER
Although it wasn't commanded by GOD, Christmas is the time of year Christians have accepted to celebrate
the birth of our Saviour, JESUS. We are told through the Bible that whatever we do, is to be done in the name of
CHRIST. Unfortunately, many false conceptions about His birth have been handed down through the years. It behooves us
to correctly interpret the story of this glorious event stated in the Bible. In order to do so, we must understand
the customs, habits and laws of the Middle East during that time of Roman rule and understand the meanings of the Hebrew
and Greek words from which the English translation was taken. Several questions need to be answered:
1) How old were Joseph and Mary?
The ages of Joseph and Mary are not mentioned. They would have been a fairly young married couple, since
after the birth of JESUS, they had six of their own children. Since Mary usually gets most of the attention, people usually
do not consider the fact that Joseph would have been a virgin also.
I believe Joseph might have been 30 years old. JESUS was 30 when he began his Ministry. Joseph was 30
when he became second-in-command to Pharoah in Egypt. A man had to be 30 to become a priest in the Tabernacle of the
Congregation. I believe Mary might have been at least 20 years old. According to the Book of Numbers, a man had to be at least
20 before he was allowed to go to war. This indicates to me that GOD considers a person to be physically an adult at
that age, while the age of 30 indicates the age of leadership.
GOD would not have intrusted the birth and care of the Holy One to just anybody. In addition to being
virgins and clean before the Almighty, the parents would need to have a certain amount of maturity and wisdom.
2) Where was JESUS born in Bethlehem?
The word "inn" appears just twice in the Bible, both times in the Book of Luke. In the "Parable
of the Good Samaritan", the wounded man was taken to an "inn", translated from the Greek word "pandocheion", which means
a public lodging place and nothing else. In the story of JESUS' birth, the word "inn" was thought to be the proper translation
for the Greek word "kataluma", which means a place in which a journey is broken up or ended. This word could mean a house,
a tent or an inn, etc. The Bible clearly states that GOD is not the author of confusion. By process of elimination, the word
"kataluma" could not have been an inn because if it had, Luke would have used the word "pandocheion", like he did in the parable
of the Good Samaritan. Matthew tells us that the wise men found JESUS in a house. Therefore, "kataluma" should have been translated
as a house and not an inn. There is no place in the Bible which gives witness that He was born at an inn or in the stable
of an inn. Matthew gives witness that He was born in a house.
Joseph was required by Caesar Augustus to go back to Bethlehem, the place of his birth, to register to
pay taxes. He would have stayed with relatives, probably the house he grew up in. During that time, inns were usually for
rich people such as kings, princes and wealthy merchants, etc. Common people of that era did not usually accumulate
or use gold coins or precious jewels. These were usually reserved for the rich. This is what makes the parable of the
"Good Samaritan" so profound. It would have cost the Samaritan, a common man, a lot of money to pay for the inn where
he took the wounded person. People like Joseph usually made what they needed and traded for the rest. He was not poor
as some people may think. He was a well-known carpenter and a good one. Keep in mind that in addition to providing for JESUS
in his youth, Joseph also provided for four sons and two daughters. Even so, why should he
spend a lot of money at an inn when he could stay with relatives for free?
3) Was He born in a stable?
The word "manger", was translated from the Greek word "phatne", which means a crib for fodder, associated
with the feeding of animals. The men who translated the Bible into English wrongly concluded that mangers were only
to be found in stables which an inn would have had. This is where an understanding of Middle Eastern life in that area
is necessary. Jus like we have pet dishes for our dogs and cats etc., mangers were also found at peasants' or
farmers' houses in which the common people lived in order to feed their animals, such as sheep, which they considered as pets. Not
all, but many of these houses had a back porch or patio type of area with two walls and a roof
and an open side which led into the back yard or back area. On one or two sides were to be found mangers, which were
usually made of wood or stone. During the winter months the mangers were used to feed the animals, which were kept close to
the house, because it was too cold to tend them in the fields. However, during the warm months of Spring and Summer, the animals
were taken out and tended to in the fields. The mangers were then cleaned out and filled with fresh straw and bedding. They
were then used as cribs for babies or beds for small children.
Not understanding this custom and wrongly believing that Mary and Joseph stayed at an inn, the
translators figured that a kindly innkeeper let Mary and Joseph use a stall in the stables,
because there was no room at the inn. This doesn't make sense because no innkeeper in his right mind would have
caused a pregnant woman to have her baby born in a dirty animal stall. People in the Middle East are very adamant about hospitality.
He would have given her his own room instead, if needs be. Any innkeeper so cruel as to send a woman to a stable
to have her baby, would have probably been stoned to death. Also, consider this. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a kind,
honest and goodly man. He certainly would not have allowed Mary to give birth in a filthy stable. Keep in mind that
the word "innkeeper" is to be found nowhere in the Bible. Also, the word "stable" is to be found nowhere in the New Testament
concerning the Birth of Christ.
4) Was He born the same night Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem?
It must be noted that Mary didn't have JESUS the same day she arrived in town like the "inn theory" would
have you believe. Joseph and Mary had spent a certain amount of time in the house before He was born. Just how many days
or weeks we don't know. Luke tells us: "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered."
5) What does, "there was no room in the inn" mean?
The firstborn of any man child in that area back then was a big event such as marriages. Since it was
a small town, people from all over Bethlehem and the surrounding countryside such as relatives, friends, travelers, and
even Roman soldiers stationed there, would have stopped to see the baby and to see what all the excitement was about. This
is because being the firstborn, he would someday be the patriarch of the family. Remember also, that the angel of the Lord
told the shepherds and wise men about the newborn King. Although they weren't mentioned, others would have been told by the angel, also.
Hearing that the Saviour had been born greatly increased the excitement. So, whether believing JESUS was the firstborn
of Joseph or believing he was the Savior of Mankind, the house had become so crowded with well-wishers and other visitors,
that Mary finally had to take JESUS to the back porch area and put Him in a manger, which had already been cleaned and
made ready for small children. This way, everyone could see Him. Keep in mind that JESUS was not born in a manger, he was
laid in a manger. He was born in a house, quite possibly the one Joseph grew up in, where Joseph and Mary were staying
while in Bethlehem.
It has also been thought that JESUS was born in a cave-like or basement area of a house, which many dwellings
in that area had. In these places, a manger was usually carved out of a stone wall. This type area can be ruled out for two
reasons:
1) There would not have been enough room for everyone to see the newborn Saviour.
2) The Bible clearly states that an angel stood over the baby JESUS. Neither an angel or anyone
else could have stood over the baby if He had been placed in a manger carved into a stone wall.
From what I understand, there is a place in Bethlehem where you can see the actual cave-like area JESUS
was born in. Don't believe it. It's just another fake religious piece of idol worship which GOD tells us to stay away from.
6) How many wise men were there?
The Bible does not say how many there were. One false tradition claims there were three of them.
This probably came about because three types of gifts were mentioned as being given to the Saviour at
His birth. We don't know how many wise men there were, nor do we know how many gifts were given. I'm sure there were many
more than what people might think.
7) What is meant by the star mentioned in the story?
Another false tradition is that a heavenly body, meaning a star, shone over JESUS and showed the wise
men where He was at. If this were true, for one thing, King Herod would have had no need to ask the wise men to search for
the whereabouts of the newborn King. He could have looked out his palace window and saw where the star was shining. The star
mentioned in the record of the birth of the CHRIST was not a heavenly body, but an angel. Sometimes in the Bible, beings are
referred to as stars. Revelation 22:16 tells us that JESUS is the "bright and Morning Star". Numbers 24:17 tells us that a
Star, meaning JESUS, would rise out of Jacob. In Revelation 22:16, JESUS tells us that He sent His star to testify unto us.
It was this same angel/star which told Mary, the wise men and the shepherds about His coming. It was this same angel/star
which the wise men saw in the East, led them to the newborn King and stood over Him while he lay in the manger.
8) What time of year was JESUS born?
In conclusion, even though he is King of kings, JESUS was born in a common man's house, rather than a
palace. One reason being that in this way, GOD signified that His Son was for all people, not just the rich and that His Kingdom
was not of this Earth, but of the perfect World which was to come. To have had JESUS born in a stable or a cave, would
have been ludicrous and would have signified nothing. Always keep in mind that it was GOD's Plan that JESUS should be born
of a common birth, rather than a royal birth. Therefore He would have been born in a common man's house, rather than a king
or rich man's residence. Inns were used by royalty or rich merchants. Even had JESUS been born in an inn's stable, He would
have still been amongst the royalty and the rich instead of surrounded by common men.
There are many rumors and false disceptions which are causing us to become divided. Relgious nonsense
is one of them. I urge each person to study the Bible and the U.S. Constitutution and learn the Truth and learn how your Government
operates.
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year for many years!!!
GARRY DASHNER
Although it wasn't commanded by GOD, Christmas is the time of year Christians have accepted to celebrate
the birth of our Saviour, JESUS. We are told through the Bible that whatever we do, is to be done in the name of
CHRIST. Unfortunately, many false conceptions about His birth have been handed down through the years. It behooves us
to correctly interpret the story of this glorious event stated in the Bible. In order to do so, we must understand
the customs, habits and laws of the Middle East during that time of Roman rule and understand the meanings of the Hebrew
and Greek words from which the English translation was taken. Several questions need to be answered:
1) How old were Joseph and Mary?
The ages of Joseph and Mary are not mentioned. They would have been a fairly young married couple, since
after the birth of JESUS, they had six of their own children. Since Mary usually gets most of the attention, people usually
do not consider the fact that Joseph would have been a virgin also.
I believe Joseph might have been 30 years old. JESUS was 30 when he began his Ministry. Joseph was 30
when he became second-in-command to Pharoah in Egypt. A man had to be 30 to become a priest in the Tabernacle of the
Congregation. I believe Mary might have been at least 20 years old. According to the Book of Numbers, a man had to be at least
20 before he was allowed to go to war. This indicates to me that GOD considers a person to be physically an adult at
that age, while the age of 30 indicates the age of leadership.
GOD would not have intrusted the birth and care of the Holy One to just anybody. In addition to being
virgins and clean before the Almighty, the parents would need to have a certain amount of maturity and wisdom.
2) Where was JESUS born in Bethlehem?
The word "inn" appears just twice in the Bible, both times in the Book of Luke. In the "Parable
of the Good Samaritan", the wounded man was taken to an "inn", translated from the Greek word "pandocheion", which means
a public lodging place and nothing else. In the story of JESUS' birth, the word "inn" was thought to be the proper translation
for the Greek word "kataluma", which means a place in which a journey is broken up or ended. This word could mean a house,
a tent or an inn, etc. The Bible clearly states that GOD is not the author of confusion. By process of elimination, the word
"kataluma" could not have been an inn because if it had, Luke would have used the word "pandocheion", like he did in the parable
of the Good Samaritan. Matthew tells us that the wise men found JESUS in a house. Therefore, "kataluma" should have been translated
as a house and not an inn. There is no place in the Bible which gives witness that He was born at an inn or in the stable
of an inn. Matthew gives witness that He was born in a house.
Joseph was required by Caesar Augustus to go back to Bethlehem, the place of his birth, to register to
pay taxes. He would have stayed with relatives, probably the house he grew up in. During that time, inns were usually for
rich people such as kings, princes and wealthy merchants, etc. Common people of that era did not usually accumulate
or use gold coins or precious jewels. These were usually reserved for the rich. This is what makes the parable of the
"Good Samaritan" so profound. It would have cost the Samaritan, a common man, a lot of money to pay for the inn where
he took the wounded person. People like Joseph usually made what they needed and traded for the rest. He was not poor
as some people may think. He was a well-known carpenter and a good one. Keep in mind that in addition to providing for JESUS
in his youth, Joseph also provided for four sons and two daughters. Even so, why should he
spend a lot of money at an inn when he could stay with relatives for free?
3) Was He born in a stable?
The word "manger", was translated from the Greek word "phatne", which means a crib for fodder, associated
with the feeding of animals. The men who translated the Bible into English wrongly concluded that mangers were only
to be found in stables which an inn would have had. This is where an understanding of Middle Eastern life in that area
is necessary. Jus like we have pet dishes for our dogs and cats etc., mangers were also found at peasants' or
farmers' houses in which the common people lived in order to feed their animals, such as sheep, which they considered as pets. Not
all, but many of these houses had a back porch or patio type of area with two walls and a roof
and an open side which led into the back yard or back area. On one or two sides were to be found mangers, which were
usually made of wood or stone. During the winter months the mangers were used to feed the animals, which were kept close to
the house, because it was too cold to tend them in the fields. However, during the warm months of Spring and Summer, the animals
were taken out and tended to in the fields. The mangers were then cleaned out and filled with fresh straw and bedding. They
were then used as cribs for babies or beds for small children.
Not understanding this custom and wrongly believing that Mary and Joseph stayed at an inn, the
translators figured that a kindly innkeeper let Mary and Joseph use a stall in the stables,
because there was no room at the inn. This doesn't make sense because no innkeeper in his right mind would have
caused a pregnant woman to have her baby born in a dirty animal stall. People in the Middle East are very adamant about hospitality.
He would have given her his own room instead, if needs be. Any innkeeper so cruel as to send a woman to a stable
to have her baby, would have probably been stoned to death. Also, consider this. The Bible tells us that Joseph was a kind,
honest and goodly man. He certainly would not have allowed Mary to give birth in a filthy stable. Keep in mind that
the word "innkeeper" is to be found nowhere in the Bible. Also, the word "stable" is to be found nowhere in the New Testament
concerning the Birth of Christ.
4) Was He born the same night Joseph and Mary reached Bethlehem?
It must be noted that Mary didn't have JESUS the same day she arrived in town like the "inn theory" would
have you believe. Joseph and Mary had spent a certain amount of time in the house before He was born. Just how many days
or weeks we don't know. Luke tells us: "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered."
5) What does, "there was no room in the inn" mean?
The firstborn of any man child in that area back then was a big event such as marriages. Since it was
a small town, people from all over Bethlehem and the surrounding countryside such as relatives, friends, travelers, and
even Roman soldiers stationed there, would have stopped to see the baby and to see what all the excitement was about. This
is because being the firstborn, he would someday be the patriarch of the family. Remember also, that the angel of the Lord
told the shepherds and wise men about the newborn King. Although they weren't mentioned, others would have been told by the angel, also.
Hearing that the Saviour had been born greatly increased the excitement. So, whether believing JESUS was the firstborn
of Joseph or believing he was the Savior of Mankind, the house had become so crowded with well-wishers and other visitors,
that Mary finally had to take JESUS to the back porch area and put Him in a manger, which had already been cleaned and
made ready for small children. This way, everyone could see Him. Keep in mind that JESUS was not born in a manger, he was
laid in a manger. He was born in a house, quite possibly the one Joseph grew up in, where Joseph and Mary were staying
while in Bethlehem.
It has also been thought that JESUS was born in a cave-like or basement area of a house, which many dwellings
in that area had. In these places, a manger was usually carved out of a stone wall. This type area can be ruled out for two
reasons:
1) There would not have been enough room for everyone to see the newborn Saviour.
2) The Bible clearly states that an angel stood over the baby JESUS. Neither an angel or anyone
else could have stood over the baby if He had been placed in a manger carved into a stone wall.
From what I understand, there is a place in Bethlehem where you can see the actual cave-like area JESUS
was born in. Don't believe it. It's just another fake religious piece of idol worship which GOD tells us to stay away from.
6) How many wise men were there?
The Bible does not say how many there were. One false tradition claims there were three of them.
This probably came about because three types of gifts were mentioned as being given to the Saviour at
His birth. We don't know how many wise men there were, nor do we know how many gifts were given. I'm sure there were many
more than what people might think.
7) What is meant by the star mentioned in the story?
Another false tradition is that a heavenly body, meaning a star, shone over JESUS and showed the wise
men where He was at. If this were true, for one thing, King Herod would have had no need to ask the wise men to search for
the whereabouts of the newborn King. He could have looked out his palace window and saw where the star was shining. The star
mentioned in the record of the birth of the CHRIST was not a heavenly body, but an angel. Sometimes in the Bible, beings are
referred to as stars. Revelation 22:16 tells us that JESUS is the "bright and Morning Star". Numbers 24:17 tells us that a
Star, meaning JESUS, would rise out of Jacob. In Revelation 22:16, JESUS tells us that He sent His star to testify unto us.
It was this same angel/star which told Mary, the wise men and the shepherds about His coming. It was this same angel/star
which the wise men saw in the East, led them to the newborn King and stood over Him while he lay in the manger.
In conclusion, even though he is King of kings, JESUS was born in a common man's house, rather than a
palace. One reason being that in this way, GOD signified that His Son was for all people, not just the rich and that His Kingdom
was not of this Earth, but of the perfect World which was to come. To have had JESUS born in a stable or a cave, would
have been ludicrous and would have signified nothing. Always keep in mind that it was GOD's Plan that JESUS should be born
of a common birth, rather than a royal birth. Therefore He would have been born in a common man's house, rather than a king
or rich man's residence. Inns were used by royalty or rich merchants. Even had JESUS been born in an inn's stable, He would
have still been amongst the royalty and the rich instead of surrounded by common men.
There are many rumors and false disceptions which are causing us to become divided. Relgious nonsense
is one of them. I urge each person to study the Bible and the U.S. Constitutution and learn the Truth and learn how your Government
operates.
Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year for many years!!!
GARRY DASHNER
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