The dates of the conception and that of the birth of Jesus, like those of each of us, are approximately nine months apart. It’s the conception of Jesus that was a supernatural act of the Holy Ghost; and this conception became, some nine months later, what the Bible tells us was God manifest in the flesh.  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth [birth] a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23 … God was manifest in the flesh … 1 Timothy 3:16 God with us and God manifest in the flesh are statements many of us ponder and likely do not understand in their fullness. Most significant, however, is, “Do we KNOW Jesus as our personal LORD and Saviour?”

Also important, but to a lesser degree than our walk with the LORD, is the birthplace of Jesus in His humanity on this earth. Even though we may have sung the familiar “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” knowing this was the birthplace of Jesus, we lose sight of the fact that this was not His (Jesus’) beginning and that there were two Bethlehems, located almost 100 miles apart. “Was the latter fact of any importance?” one might ask. This detail was important to Micah, an Old Testament prophet. Tucked away in the Old Testament is a small, often overlooked book, Micah, with only seven chapters. One verse in this book, Micah 5:2, is astoundingly power-packed with accurate facts; prophetic details about Jesus that Micah penned almost 700 years prior to the conception and earthly birth of Jesus.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

God has chosen to keep hidden the exact date.

No one knows the exact date when the miraculous conception and subsequent birth of our Messiah took place. This was after the Holy Ghost, through a supernatural miracle, came upon the virgin Mary: And the angel answered and said unto her [Mary], The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Luke 1:35

Many Christians are aware that there are contentions regarding the celebration of the birth of Jesus, if it is held on December 25. This disunity usually arises as December 25 is believed to be a day of celebration allegedly initiated by either the pagan ruler named Constantine or Pope Julius I and traditions associated with several pagan practices. However, many miss what should be the intent of the celebration. This is a time of giving humble thanks to the LORD (whatever the day) for His supernatural miracle and compassion for man by providing the WAY to restore fellowship with God (broken by sin) through the shed blood of Jesus. This was God’s only Begotten Son: For God sent … his Son [Jesus] into the world … that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17 Notwithstanding, this observance provides opportunities to more freely witness about the manifestation of God on earth through His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days. Colossians 2:16

God choose “Dr.” Luke to pen details about conception and birth.

Scriptures from the gospel of Luke about the birth of a cousin to Jesus, John the Baptist, could potently shed light for further study about an approximate date of the miraculous conception and subsequent birth of Jesus.

It is likely that, for this purpose, God choose a physician, Luke, to succinctly relate such relevant conception and birth information as recorded in the first two chapters of Luke. Included in this gospel is a major overlooked Old Testament fact which “Dr. Luke” included in Luke 1:8. And it came to pass, that while he [Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist] executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his course.

The lineage of this supernatural birth began with Adam and Eve.

Where do we first learn of the foretelling of this miraculous manifestation of Jesus—deity [God] in the flesh of man? Our first succinct glimpse was recorded in the book of Genesis: And I [God] 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. Genesis 3:15 This was the first promise of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. From here God, through many centuries, revealed more layers of His story of redemption (through Jesus), adding details—probabilities that would make the nativity impossible, except by the direction of a supernatural “Hand” outside the limits of time.

God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son … by whom also he made the worlds. Hebrews 1:1-2  I [Jesus] and my Father are one. John 10:30 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he … said also that God was his father, making himself equal with God. John 5:18 And Thomas answered and said unto him [Jesus], My LORD and my God. John 20:28

There is a difference between Jesus the Messiah and Jesus the Son of God.

As the Son of God, Jesus had no beginning. He WAS in the beginning God: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God. John 1:1 And the Word [Jesus] was made flesh, and dwelt among us … John 1:14

We must not lose sight of the fact that Jesus (our Messiah and Saviour) came forth from God (God in the flesh of man) to do His will on earth. Jesus’ “mission” as our Redeemer in the flesh started from Bethlehem; however, as the Son of God, He has always been. Or, as Micah wrote: His … goings forth have been … from everlasting. Micah 5:2  From everlasting tells us that there is no way of measuring or defining; it is infinite.

The aforementioned may be a lot to immediately digest but study it as a workman, and let the Spirit of God teach you as you invest quality time comparing Scripture with Scripture.  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God … which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

Micah, an Old Testament prophet, supernaturally accurately pinpointed the birthplace of Jesus.

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

Micah 5:2 is a Scripture that should be carefully studied for it holds, within each Word, important precepts we should understand. It was this verse upon which the scribes and chief priests staked their lives when they certified to King Herod that Christ would be born in Bethlehem. It was what Micah had recorded some 700 years before. Herod was the wicked king who murdered all children under the age of two in his efforts to kill Jesus, hoping one of those children would be Jesus.

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, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things … he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet. Matthew 2:1-5 In the gospel of John is recorded: Hath not the scriptures said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was? John 7:42

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb [Mary], and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his *father David: And he [Jesus] shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:31-33 … there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel … Numbers 24:17 *See our Bible Study, “Jesus: From Everlasting” for an explanation how David, who lived approximately 1000 years before Jesus, would be considered the father of Jesus. Click here to go to that teaching, or go to our website: Click on Teachings, then Home Bible Study, scroll to: Jesus: From Everlasting.

Why such detail as Bethlehem Ephratah?

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah:
Don’t miss the small detail: But thou. This phrase should command the reader’s attention as if it read: But thou! Yet, why was this strange name, Ephratah, unfamiliar to us today and difficult for most to even pronounce, included by Micah in this prophetic statement?

Micah knew something that most today do not. There were two Bethlehems almost 100 miles apart. One was in the north close to Nazareth, the home of Joseph and Mary, and where Jesus was reared. The other Bethlehem was almost 100 miles south from Nazareth near to Jerusalem. And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Genesis 35:19

So why would Jesus not be conveniently born in the Bethlehem located a few miles from Joseph and Mary’s home? It’s because, as stated above, the Bethlehem near Nazareth was of the tribe (lineage) of Zebulun. It was the tribe of Juda (Judah, the royal tribe) from which Jesus (and David before Him) had to be born, else the lineage of Jesus would not be fulfilled as was prophesied for hundreds of years. Consider these Scriptures:

The sceptre [staff held by a ruler] shall not depart from Judah … until Shiloh [the Messiah, Jesus] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Genesis 49:10   But unto the Son [Jesus] he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [Jesus] is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1:8  … there shall come a Star out of Jacob [David’s forefather], and a Sceptre [Jesus] shall rise out of Israel … Numbers 24:17 … behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda [Jesus] … Revelation 5:5

Had Micah not included this detail, the birthplace might have been wrongly thought to have been the Bethlehem in the north. This would have been the territory of the tribe of Zebulun, not that of the prophesied Judah; thus, Scripture would not have been fulfilled.

So why would Jesus not be conveniently born in the Bethlehem located a few miles from Joseph and Mary’s home? It’s because, as stated above, the Bethlehem near Nazareth was of the tribe (lineage) of Zebulun. It was the tribe of Juda (Judah, the royal tribe) from which Jesus (and David before Him) had to be born, else the lineage of Jesus would not be fulfilled as was prophesied for hundreds of years. Consider these Scriptures:  The sceptre [staff held by a ruler] shall not depart from Judah … until Shiloh [the Messiah, Jesus] come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Genesis 49:10  But unto the Son [Jesus] he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness [Jesus] is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Hebrews 1:8   … there shall come a Star out of Jacob [David’s forefather], and a Sceptre [Jesus] shall rise out of Israel … Numbers 24:17 … behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda [Jesus] … Revelation 5:5

Did God face an insurmountable obstacle?

It was only days when Mary was to deliver the Christ Child, BUT, she was 100 miles from Bethlehem Ephratah. What circumstances could possibility have her take such a seemingly unwise, arduous trip so late in her pregnancy? However, it “just so happened” that the wicked ruler, Caesar Augustus, wanted more money for his exploits; therefore, he decreed everyone would not only be assessed an additional tax but citizens would be required to go back to their ancestral hometowns to register.

Since Joseph was a descendant of David (as was Mary), he had to go back to Bethlehem, the “city” of David, to comply with Caesar’s edict. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph [and Mary] also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) Luke 2:3-4

Joseph and Mary, of course, did not conveniently travel by car; neither did they rent rooms at Holiday Inns during their journey of several days.

The Scripture is silent on such details; neither are we told that Mary rode on a donkey. The terrain over which they would have traveled presented a grueling journey for someone so advanced in her pregnancy. Additionally, as they neared Jerusalem, they would have passed through Jericho which was 850 feet below sea level. Bethlehem was 2543 feet above sea level. That meant their trip included an uphill hike of 3,000 to 4,000 feet! This would be quite a climb even for most who are not pregnant!

Bethlehem was not a huge, populous, well-known city until …

Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah:
God choose a small, what might have been a seemingly insignificant city, to bring about this unsurpassed miracle upon the world. Even though small in population, compared to that of Judah, “little” Bethlehem was to become great. Thousands refers to the numbering of each tribe. Tribes were divided into thousands, each thousand having its own separate head; however, Bethlehem didn’t have enough fighting men to qualify for such distinction. Thus, a subliminal contrast has been staged: Bethlehem was small in numbers but destined to become great because of the honour of that baby to be born and placed there in a humble manger.

Yet out of thee [Bethlehem] shall he [Jesus] come forth unto me [God]:
Our focus is often: Jesus did this for me. This is correct; however, there may be something overlooked in Micah’s succinct message—the words unto me. Jesus came to fulfill the Father’s will and purpose: To reconcile the world to Him. Jesus responded with one focused message: … I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me … and to finish his work. John 5:30; John 4:34   And lo a voice from heaven [God], saying, This is my beloved Son [Jesus], in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17

That is to be ruler in Israel:
This ruler is Jesus, the prince of peace—Shiloh, on whose shoulder the government is laid. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting:
This is Micah’s way of expressing infinity. There was no beginning for Jesus as the Son of God. He WAS. In the beginning WAS the word [Jesus] and the word was with God and the word WAS God. John 1:1 And the Word [Jesus] was made flesh and dwelt among us … John 1:14 Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, [which means] God with us. Matthew 1:23 God took upon himself the form of a servant through His only begotten Son. Study Philippians 2:6-8.

Strong statements of the deity of Jesus Christ (He is God) are given throughout the Bible; He WAS God manifest in the flesh—as man upon this earth.

• And without controversy … God was manifest in the flesh [as Jesus Christ] …
• preached unto the Gentiles,
• believed on in the world,
• received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16

How was this possible? We cannot comprehend it, just as we cannot comprehend how God through Jesus spoke the world into existence. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3

I [Jesus] was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was … I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields,  nor the highest part of the dust of the world. When he prepared the heavens, I was there … Proverbs 8:23-27

Miss not the fact that it was through Jesus that everything was made; again, another confirmation that He had no beginning:  All things were made by him [Jesus]; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:3  For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17 It is Jesus, our Messiah (Saviour), Who shed His blood to atone (pay) for the sins from which we repent (turn from). He is the One Who was sent forth from God to do His will on earth—that “assignment” was from Bethlehem Ephratah; but, as Micah wrote, as the Son of God, Jesus’ goings forth are from everlasting.

How could Micah have written with confidence?

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Peter 1:21

Micah’s words were inspired by the Holy Ghost. They must not be added to or subtracted from; nor should any other words from our Bible be tampered with; yet, man tries to meddle with God’s “jots” and “tittles”: For verily I [Jesus] say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:18 If words are changed, attendant prophetic statements will seem false. That of course is a very serious matter. The Scripture says, God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19 Study the table below to “test” your comprehension of the above teaching. Can you explain to someone WHY the changes made by some new version authors could undermine the authority of God? Are there words, from the rewritten Scriptures (ESV and NIV), that diminish the statement from Hebrews 7:14: For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda [Judah] …? … behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda [Judah] the Root of David [Jesus], hath prevailed … Revelation 5:5

God’s love is ever present for those who know Him.

Recorded in Proverbs 8:32-36 is one of several messages of love that Jesus, God manifest in the flesh, has for each of us. It is for those who do OR do not worship Him and for those who do or do not and set aside time to celebrate this special birth that took place in the little town of Bethlehem.

Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.

Have a Spiritual and Merry Christmas as we each bless the LORD this year by extending to Him the kind of love He recognizes: He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21

Blessings to you, your family, and loved ones. Thank you for the many blessings you have shared with us; for your friendship, and encouragement. Please let us know if you have questions or would like prayer. We are blessed when we hear from you.

In Christ’s Service,

Judith,
Founder and President
Restoration Of The Family, Inc.
PO Box 621342 Oviedo, FL 32765; www.RestorationOfTheFamily.org