Christmas doesn't end with the birth of Jesus, although certainly that is the high point of the nativity story. But on the 8th day of life Jesus was circumcised, the anniversary of which is coming up on Thursday, January 1. Then on the 40th day is the anniversary of Mary's purification and the presentation of Jesus in the Temple which occurred on February 2. And then on February 23rd the Magi visited, and that very night Joseph was warned in a dream to take Mary and the babe and flee to Egypt.
For anyone interested, below is a timeline which includes other historical events that impacted the nativity story.
May 29 First conjunction
October 3 Second conjunction
December 4 Third conjunction – signal to Zoroastrian Magi of imminent birth of Messiah
6 B.C.
October 2 – 9 8th Priestly course to which Zacharias belonged on duty
October 10-16 Elizabeth conceives shortly after Zacharias returns home
December First attempt to implement census ordered by Rome; rebellion of the Pharisees
5 B.C.
March 25 Mary conceives during Elizabeth’s 6th month of pregnancy
June 24 Birth of John the Baptist
October 6 High Priest defiled; replaced for Day of Atonement services
December Census carried out according to Jewish Law by tribes
December 25 Birth of Jesus
4 B.C.
January 1 Jesus circumcised
February 2 Mary’s purification and Jesus’ presentation
February 23 Magi follow star from Jerusalem to Jesus in Bethlehem
That night, warned by an angel, the Holy family flees to Egypt
February 24 Slaughter of the innocents
March 9 – 15 Holy family arrives in Egypt
Students tear down golden eagle in Temple – arrested along with two teachers who incited them
March 12 Students and teachers burned alive
Lunar eclipse that night
March 13-21 Herod’s condition worsens, visits hot baths across Jordan but no help; Herod goes to Jericho, near death
March 21 Herod has his son Antipater executed
March 22 Herod dies at Jericho
Holy family receives word Herod is dead and returns to Judaea
March 22-29 Week-long funeral and mourning for Herod
April 5-11 Holy family arrives in Judaea at beginning of Passover, warned by God to not go to Jerusalem
Archelaus slaughters mourners in Temple at Passover and cancels rest of Passover/Unleavened Bread
For anyone interested, below is a timeline which includes other historical events that impacted the nativity story.
Timeline of the Nativity
Based on Biblical, Historical and Traditional Evidence
7 B.C. Based on Biblical, Historical and Traditional Evidence
May 29 First conjunction
October 3 Second conjunction
December 4 Third conjunction – signal to Zoroastrian Magi of imminent birth of Messiah
6 B.C.
October 2 – 9 8th Priestly course to which Zacharias belonged on duty
October 10-16 Elizabeth conceives shortly after Zacharias returns home
December First attempt to implement census ordered by Rome; rebellion of the Pharisees
5 B.C.
March 25 Mary conceives during Elizabeth’s 6th month of pregnancy
June 24 Birth of John the Baptist
October 6 High Priest defiled; replaced for Day of Atonement services
December Census carried out according to Jewish Law by tribes
December 25 Birth of Jesus
4 B.C.
January 1 Jesus circumcised
February 2 Mary’s purification and Jesus’ presentation
February 23 Magi follow star from Jerusalem to Jesus in Bethlehem
That night, warned by an angel, the Holy family flees to Egypt
February 24 Slaughter of the innocents
March 9 – 15 Holy family arrives in Egypt
Students tear down golden eagle in Temple – arrested along with two teachers who incited them
March 12 Students and teachers burned alive
Lunar eclipse that night
March 13-21 Herod’s condition worsens, visits hot baths across Jordan but no help; Herod goes to Jericho, near death
March 21 Herod has his son Antipater executed
March 22 Herod dies at Jericho
Holy family receives word Herod is dead and returns to Judaea
March 22-29 Week-long funeral and mourning for Herod
April 5-11 Holy family arrives in Judaea at beginning of Passover, warned by God to not go to Jerusalem
Archelaus slaughters mourners in Temple at Passover and cancels rest of Passover/Unleavened Bread
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