shepherds

Fact Checking Christmas – Answers to Christmas Questions and Queries

/ Bob

Joseph took Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey – well, maybe she rode a donkey, maybe not – who knows. It was in the dead of winter, or maybe summer or early fall or perhaps even in the spring. Upon their arrival they found lodging in a barn, in a cave, or maybe the home of a relative, but definitely not in the guest room. At the time of Jesus’ arrival a whole bunch of angels appeared to some shepherds and told the shepherds what had happened – OK one angel spoke to shepherds and then a bunch of angels showed up and ignored the shepherds because they were praising God – not singing, just praising God.

Later three Wise Men – {OK maybe it was 3, maybe 2, maybe 22 – who knows – and they were “Magi” which means magicians, astrologers, astronomer, scientists – probably wise, but . . . } rode in on camels or maybe they walked, who knows. They were guided by a star or a planet or a conjunction of planets (they would have called them wandering stars) or some other celestial light. When they arrived the baby had just been born, or maybe he was a few weeks old, or maybe he was 2 and going through that stage of life known as the “terrible twos” – Ok that went too far – Jesus did NOT put His parents through the terrible twos – I have no proof, but some things you just know. End of discussion.

My aim in this class session was not to tear down any preconceived notions about Christmas, but moreover to see that the truth of Christmas far exceeds all of the trappings and stories and events that seem to occupy this time of the year. You see, it doesn’t really matter if He was born in a cave, a barn, or a house – what matters is that He came. When we “Fact Check” Christmas we must remember that the most significant fact is that, while we were still sinners, the Father sent His only begotten Son to redeem us to Himself. Merry Christmas!

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday December 14, 2025. Handouts with class presentation content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com . Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

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Of Shepherds and Joy – The 3rd Sunday of Advent

/ Bob
Advent is that time of year when we look forward to Christmas – as we remember and look forward to the coming of Mashiach – the Messiah – Christ, the Lord. This week we lit our third candle in our Advent Wreath – the Shepherd’s Candle of Joy.

The shepherds who received the announcement concerning the new born king, the Messiah, the Savior have long been thought of as those shunned by society and outcasts. This may or may not be true, but the Bible doesn’t say that. A look at shepherds in the Bible allows us to see an honorable profession that was actually central to the heart of the Jewish faith. From Moses to David to even Jesus Himself (John 10) the role of the shepherd was and is exalted. They were no doubt poor and, as such, were no doubt looked down on by the elites of society, but they were just simple working folks.

And on that night in the fields outside of Bethlehem they were just doing their job when their quiet world came to life with a message of joy and hope. They went to see the child and then went back to work. As they returned to work, they praised God and shared the story of all they had witnessed. People were amazed at their tale of angels and babies and the new born king.

As we go to work today, may we take another look at the infant king, marvel anew, and then tell the folks we meet on the way to work and at work what we have seen – what we have experienced through the saving grace of Jesus.

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, December 10, 2023. It is part of an Advent series of lessons that will run through Sunday, December 17, 2023.

Handouts with slide content can be requested at
fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com .
Handouts are also available at: fromthebackporch.org .

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
X – From the Back Porch @ nationalfast
Facebook – From the Back Porch in Texas
Email – fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com
class-notes-3rd-sunday-of-advent-shepherds-candle-of-joyDownload

What Does “Noel” Mean? And Other Christmas Queries

/ Bob

What Does “Noel” Mean? And Other Christmas Queries

Was Jesus born on December 25? Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? Were there 3 kings who visited the baby Jesus and did they ride camels? What does “Noel” mean? What does “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” mean? What is the difference between Immanuel and Emmanuel? Were Mary and Joseph married when they went to Bethlehem? Did Mary give birth to Jesus in a barn or stable or a cave or none of the above? All of these questions and many others were answered in this Agape Life Bible Study. Some of the answers might surprise you.

When we consider the facts surrounding the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, it is important to remember the facts about the birth and life of Jesus that are truly important – that in the fullness of time, Jesus was born of a virgin and that He lived a perfect life so that He could be offered up on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for our sin and that 3 days later He rose from the grave – victorious over death – and is now seated at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf and waiting for the day when He will return once again in power and in glory.

In short – Jesus was born to die so that we might be born again to live. Hallelujah!

This Bible study was presented to the Agape Life Bible Study Class of the First Baptist Church in Brenham, Texas, on Sunday, December 12, 2021. Handouts with slide content can be requested at: fromthebackporchintexas@gmail.com

Website – FromTheBackPorch.org
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