Merry Chess Match 🦁👑

...but, Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.

- Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem because of a Roman census (prelude to a tax grab?)

- Jesus was born in a barn,  swaddled, and then placed in a feeding trough (Manager).

- Angels (messengers) appeared to Shepard's in the field.

- Is there any indication anywhere in the text they were sporting wings??

- The Shepard's came to see what the Angel's had told them about and afterwards proclaimed far and wide what they had witnessed. The baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, could this be a hint to what kind of shepherds these were? The Passover lambs were required to be swaddled after birth to prevent injury and possible blemishes.  

- Luke writes in verse 2:19 but, Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
- Not only did Mary think on what had happened, but for her these were all treasured memories, she would not forget what had happened. That night was certainly unforgettable in more ways than one.  

- Did the Wise Men show up at the birth?

- Did the Wise Men show up at the same time as the Shepard's?

- Did Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus flee to Egypt soon after the birth to avoid Herod's kill squad?

- Eight days after Jesus was born he was circumcised as per the law. Then at some point within a 30 day window Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus were in Jerusalem, at the temple. They were presenting him to GOD and offering the offering of purification as per the law of Moses. (Hint - they weren't in Egypt yet.) 

- After their stay in Jerusalem, Luke records that they returned to Nazareth, their home town.

- In the book of Matthew Herod had sent the Wisemen to Bethlehem as per the writing of the Prophet Micah.

- Just because Herod instructed them to go to Bethlehem doesn't mean they ended up there. After all they were following the star not Herod's directions.

- Matthew records that the Wise Men found the "Child" Jesus (not βρέφος) and his Mother in a house. Notice too that Joseph is not mentioned as being there at the time. Was he working?

- the gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and myrrh are indeed timely gifts if you have to pickup stakes and get outta dodge really quick.  They also have other meanings too, but the gold comes in handy for a quick exit.  

- The Wise Men were warned in a dream about Herod. Joseph too was warned in a dream about Herod and afterwards they fled to Egypt.

- Herod did sent troops to Bethlehem to kill the baby, but Herod, the Adversary and his followers, Principalities and Powers are not just 'A day late and a dollar short',  they are several moves behind. Don't play Chess with GOD it's not going to end well, checkmate.

With all that's going on in the world right now things are a bit more than crazy especially when you add the stress that comes during the Holidays. Find your refuge in him, GOD is never taken by surprise.  

Mary Christ Mass this holiday season from our family to yours, remember don't forget to "ponder it in your heart" 💖