The
Characters of Christmas
For
Christmas 2011
Updated
2024
By
Ronald Ramsey
The
Characters of Christmas
For
Christmas 2011
Introduction
Christmas
has become a time of giving gifts and decorating our homes,
businesses and churches. Christmas has become a time of Black Friday
and of shopping until you drop, a time of lists and trees, lights and
bows.
But
Christmas has always been about people. The family we celebrate with
and the One whose coming we celebrate. People are at the heart of
every part of Christmas both in its creation and how we celebrate it
today.
This
study will look at some of the characters who are part of the story
of Christmas. To some these people are so familiar as to be boring,
while to others they are not known at all.
During
these lessons you will be given the opportunity to not only learn
about these people, but to share your thoughts on each one. You will
be asked to write a short statement about each character and possibly
share it with the class.
Read
Luke 2:1-40 and as you read list some of the characters of Christmas.
(Read this passage each week to remember each characters proper place
in the story of Christmas.)
Make
a list of the people who are part of the Christmas Tale.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Lesson
1
CAESAR
se’-zar
(Kaisar): Originally the surname of the Julian gens (thus, Caius
Julius Caesar); afterward a name borne by the Roman emperors. In the
New Testament the name is definitely applied to Augustus (#Lu 2:1,
"Caesar Augustus"), to whom it belonged by adoption, and to
Tiberius (#Lu 3:1, "Tiberius Caesar"; compare #Mt
22:17,21). The "Caesar" to whom Paul appealed (#Ac
25:11,12,21) was Nero. The form is perpetuated in "Kaiser"
and "Czar."
From
the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
The
common title given to succeeding Roman emperors, adopted from the
name of Julius Caesar. #Mt 22:17,21 Mr 12:14,16,17 Lu 2:1 Joh
19:12,15 Ac 25:8,21 Php 4:22; &c. The history of the New
Testament fell under the reigns of Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula,
Claudius, and Nero.
From
the Concise Bible Dictionary
QUIRINIUS
Governor
of Syria when Jesus was born
#Lu
2:2
From
the Concise Bible Dictionary
Why
are these political leaders mentioned?
Is
the time of the birth of Jesus important?
How
would you compare the birth of Jesus to Caesar and Quirinius?
Share
your thoughts about Caesar and Quirinius.
Lesson
2
JOSEPH
Husband
of Mary the mother of Jesus. He was ‘a just man,’ and was
obedient to the instructions he received from God as to his wife, and
in protecting the infant Jesus. He was of the house and lineage of
David, his genealogy being given in Mat i and perhaps in Luke iii.
The visit to Jerusalem, when the Lord was twelve years old, is the
last incident recorded of him. He is once called ‘the carpenter,’
#Mt 13:55, as is the Lord also in #Mr 6:3. It was a custom for all
Jews to learn a trade. #Mt 1:16-25 2:13,19 Lu 1:27 2:4-43 3:23 4:22
John 1:45 6:42.
From
the Concise Bible Dictionary
Joseph
2)
Husband of Mary
2a)
General References to {#Mt 1:16 2:13,19 Lu 2:4 3:23 4:22}
2b)
Characteristics of
2b1)
Charitableness {#Mt 1:19}
2b2)
Faith {#Mt 1:24}
2b3)
Obedience {#Mt 2:14}
2b4)
Faithfulness to religious duty {#Lu 2:41}
From
Themes of the Bible
Define
the characteristics of Joseph listed above. Do you agree with them?
Would
you choose this man to raise your child, or grandchild?
Read
Luke 3:21-38. What is the lineage of Jesus?
Why
is it so important to list all these people?
Share
your thoughts about Joseph.
Lesson
3
MARY
In Hebrew MIRIAM,
"The
Mother of Jesus," # Ac 1:14. Her amiable and lovely character,
and her remarkable history in connection with the wonders relating to
the birth of Christ, are recorded in # Mt 1:1-2:23 Lu 1:1-2:52. The
genealogy of the Savior through her, in the line of David and
Abraham, is preserved in # Lu 3:1-38, to prove that he was born "as
concerning the flesh "according to ancient prophecies. After the
return from Egypt to Nazareth, she is but five times mentioned in the
gospel history: three on the part of Christ, # Mt 12:46-50 Lu 2:49,50
John 2:4; one when he commended her to the care of John, # Joh19:26;
and lastly as among the disciples at Jerusalem after his ascension, #
Ac 1:14. Thenceforth, throughout the Acts of the Apostles, the
Epistles, and the Revelation, no allusions made to her.
From
the Amtract Bible Dictionary
Read
Luke 1:26-38. What does this tell you about Mary?
Read
Luke 1:39-56. What does Mary understand about the coming birth?
Read
Luke 2:41-52. What kind of Mother is Mary?
Share
your thoughts about Mary
Lesson
4
Jesus
The
Bible is about Jesus, #Luke 24:27,44 John 5:39 Hebrews 10:7 The
prophets prophesied about Him. #Ac 10:43 The Father bore witness of
Him. #John 5:37 John 8:18 The Holy Spirit bore witness of Him. #John
15:26 The works Jesus did bore witness of Him John; #John 5:36 John
10:25 The multitudes bore witness of Him. #John 12:17 And, Jesus bore
witness of Himself. #John 14:6 John 18:6
Jesus
is God in flesh. #John 1:1,14 He is fully God and fully man #Col 2:9
thus, He has two natures: God and man. He is not half God and half
man. He is 100% God and 100% man. He never lost his divinity. He
existed in the form of God and when He became a man, He added human
nature {1} to Himself. #Philippians 2:5-11 Therefore, there is a
"union in one person of a full human nature and a full divine
nature." {2} Right now in heaven there is a man, Jesus, who is
Mediator between us and God the Father. #1Timothy 2:5 Jesus is our
advocate with the Father. #1 John 2:1 He is our Savior. #Titus 2:13
He is our Lord. #Ro 10:9-10 He is not, as some cults teach, an angel
who became a man Jehovah’s Witnesses or the brother of the devil
Mormonism. He is wholly God and wholly man, the Creator, the
Redeemer. He is Jesus. See also. Jesus From the Dictionary of
Theology
Read
Matthew 1:23. What does Emmanuel mean TO YOU?
Read
Isaiah 53:1-3. What do these verses tell us about Jesus?
Isaiah
53:4-12. What do these verses tell us about the ministry of Jesus?
Share
your thought about Jesus
Lesson
5
Shepherds
1)
a herdsman, esp. a shepherd
1a)
in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed
themselves, and whose precepts they follow
2)
Metaphor
2a)
the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of
Christ the Head of the church
2a1)
of the overseers of the Christian assemblies
2a2)
of kings and princes
The
tasks of a Near Eastern shepherd were: -to watch for enemies trying
to attack the sheep -to defend the sheep from attackers -to heal the
wounded and sick sheep -to find and save lost or trapped sheep -to
love them, sharing their lives and so earning their trust.
During
World War II, a shepherd was a pilot who guided another pilot whose
plane was partially disabled back to the base or carrier by flying
alongside him to maintain visual contact.
From
Strong’s Dictionary
Why
do you think the message about Jesus was given to the Shepherds?
What
does this message tell us about Jesus?
Share
your thoughts about shepherds.
Lesson
6
Simeon
A
‘just and devout’ man at Jerusalem, to whom it was revealed that
he should not die until he had seen ‘the Lord’s Christ.’ When
the ‘child Jesus’ was presented in the temple Simeon took Him up
in his arms, blessed God and asked that he might depart in peace, for
he had seen God’s salvation. #Lu 2:25,34. He was one of those that
looked for redemption in Israel.
From
the Concise Bible Dictionary
What
does it mean to be just and devout?
Describe
Simeon’s message about Jesus.
Describe
Simeon’s message to Joseph and Mary.
Share
your thoughts about Simeon
Lesson
7
ANNA
A
daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher, early married, but left a
widow after seven years, and thenceforth devoted to the service of
God. She was constant in attendance at the morning and evening
sacrifices at the temple; and there, at the age of eighty- four
years, was blessed with a sight of the infant Savior, and inspired to
announce the coming of the promised Messiah to many who longed to see
him, # Lu 2:36-38.
From
the Amtract Bible Dictionary
What
does it mean that Anna is called a prophetess?
Who
is Phanuel, and what is the tribe of Asher?
How
did Anna Serve God?
Why
did God choose Anna?
Share
your thoughts about Anna.
