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.
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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.
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