In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. John 1:1-5
(find this or any other passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
This bears repeating, one last time: One Bible, the Word of God, 66 books, four Gospels. The Gospels do not contradict each other. They do tell different pieces of a story, from different perspectives, because they, initially, had four different audiences.
During the Christmas season, much of our attention is drawn to the 'Baby Jesus', and that is good. It is an amazing and wonderful thing that God presented Himself that way.
But we must remember that the being who inhabited that Baby was an ancient One.
It is a mystery how much Jesus gave up to be a Man. We know that He did what He did voluntarily: Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be held on to, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. Philippians 2:5-7
It is a mystery how much Jesus knew as a Babe, but we know that He grew and learned: And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
But Jesus, the Word (Rev.19:13) pre-existed all else. He was there at the laying of the very foundation of the Earth. Adam and Eve were created through Him.
He saw the fall, and knew that His future included becoming Man to save men.
From His Ancient view He also saw you.
The Ancient One who became the Babe, did so for you.
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Questions:
1. Have you ever considered the ancient-ness of Jesus?
2. Have you ever compared the Christmas stories between the Gospels?
3. Will you agree to a reading of the Gospels this Christmas season? If you would like to compare the Gospel readings, I've posted a link below, and a sample comparison readings. I welcome any questions that arise from your study.
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
Parallel reading of the Gospels
from http://www.are-you-for-real.com/easy-to-print/nt01of02-jesus-the-christ.pdf
Jesus The Christ
Introductions by the Gospel Writers
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Mark 1:1
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John 1:1-18
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Luke 1:1-4
The Genealogies of Jesus
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Matthew 1:1-17
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Luke 3:23b-38
The Births of Jesus and John the Baptist
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Luke 1:5-80
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Matthew 1:18-25a
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Luke 2:1-20
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Parallel verses Matthew 1:25b and Luke 2:21
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Luke 2:22-38
Visit of the Magi and Flight into Egypt
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From Infancy to Manhood
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Parallel verses Matthew 2:19-23 and Luke 2:39-40
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Luke 2:41-52
The Ministry of John the Baptist
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:2-4, and Luke 3:1-6
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:4-6 and Mark 1:5-6
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:7-10 and Luke 3:7-14
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Parallel verses Matthew 3:11-12, Mark 1:7-8, and Luke 3:15-18
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