"You will recognize Him by this miracle sign.." Luke 2:11-14 (TPT)

Without a doubt, the nativity story speaks of something greater than just the birth of a baby; it speaks of a life that was purposed for the destiny of all humanity.  A life which was dedicated to capturing all of the traits of man, both the good and the misdeeds, and offering complete and total forgiveness and absolution that every man may know the love of God.

That is why the three wise men came to visit the young child because nothing like this had ever been revealed before, God had only partially been represented in the past by patriarchs and prophets which only demonstrated a small portion of God’s character, now God Himself was going to tell the world who He was through the life of a child who would eventually become a great man.  

The wise men knew what this meant, a new star was rising, to them, the heavens were unchangeable and were fixed, a new star to them meant a new king with great powers in the heavens was to be born on earth, so they believed and followed the direction the star led them.

So how did the star lead them to Bethlehem?  It appears that the “star” was not a star at all, but a luminary that moved in the sky.  
Scientifically a star cannot move in the sky like an airplane or helicopter, but a celestial body or being can.  That was proven when the heavenly host appeared in the sky to the shepherds.  

The Greek word for star or luminary is “phōstēr” which defines and denotes "a luminary, light," or "light-giver;" it is used figuratively of believers, as shining in the spiritual darkness of the world, it is also used of Christ as the "Light" reflected in and shining through the heavenly city (see Rev 21:23) where we see luminaries.  

Bethlehem was historically known as the “city of David,” the Greek text bears this out.  What did these kings know about the Patriarchs like Abraham, Moses, and David?

All three of these Patriarchs were prototypes of how the prophesied king would be recognized.  These three wise men were aware of the Jewish prophecies and their predictions of what was to come.  

These three kings could easily be compared with the revelation of the angels appearing in the Old Testament as the three messengers which appeared to Abraham.  

Their message was similar in respect; they both spoke of the birth of a son of promise.  The messengers to Abraham spoke of the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham and his descendants, the birth of Jesus spoke of the fulfillment of God’s promise to all of humanity.  

The three messengers appearing to Abraham were also revealed as being the LORD Himself. The Three Kings who brought gifts to Jesus, were blessing the LORD and His salvation brought to honor the Christ Child.  

The three gifts were gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which were of equal value in the ancient world; all three gifts had specific properties which spoke of kingly rulership.  Gold was used as wealth and was used by some early alchemists to treat illnesses.  Myrrh oil is from a tree that is also used for its antiseptic usage and has medicinal attributes. Frankincense also is known as "franc-encens" means "high-quality incense," when burned, served as incense or perfume which was used in worship and in burial practices.

All three gifts prophesied what would be the outcome of Jesus’ life and ministry.

A baby lying in a feeding trough where animals were kept nearby, wrapped in strips of cloths, became a sign of the Savior’s life on earth. He entered the world as a lowly baby, and though he is the mighty God, he lived his life on earth in gentleness and meekness before all. 

The shepherds that night were possibly near Bethlehem at Migdal Eder, “the [watch] tower of the flock.” This would fulfill both the prophecies:

The Lord says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” 
Micah 5:2 (GNT)

It was at the lower floor of the watchtower (Migdal Eder) that the birthing of the Passover lambs would take place.

“And you, Jerusalem, where God, like a shepherd from his lookout tower, watches over his people, will once again be the capital of the kingdom that was yours.” Micah 4:8 (GNT)

Selected ewes that were about to give birth would be brought there. After the birth of the lambs, the priestly shepherds would wrap the lambs in cloth and lay them in a manger lined with soft hay to prevent them from hurting themselves, for Passover lambs must be unblemished with no bruise or broken bone. 

The miracle sign for these priestly shepherds would be a baby boy lying where the Passover lamb should be—in a manger, wrapped in strips of cloth. It was at the cradle of Jesus Christ that the kingdom from ancient times arrived on earth.

There is so much more to the story of the birth of Jesus that it can be easily overlooked if we do not take a closer look and see all the parallels to prophecy and what it meant for God to come to earth to become a man to save us.

He is our Emmanual, God with us and is now in us!

Be Blessed;

Stephen Barnett