Mary and Joseph had an arranged marriage. According to Jewish custom, Mary and Joseph’s marriage would have been negotiated by their fathers and Mary’s father received a dowry.
Jesus’ name is significant. Mary didn’t make a list of baby names. The angel informed Mary that her baby would be called Yeshua, or Joshua, meaning “Yahweh is salvation” or “The Lord saves”. Jesus is the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
Bethlehem was insignificant. The city of David was considered small, insignificant, and the least among towns. The King of Kings was not born in the holy city of Jerusalem, but the little town of Bethlehem. Jesus’ birth town was a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy (Micah 5:2).
Both Joseph & Mary were descendants of David. The Gospel of Matthew traces Joseph’s lineage through Solomon, while the Gospel of Luke traces Mary’s Jesus was both the biological (through Mary) and the legal (through Joseph) “Son of David”. He was in the Messianic line through both parents as well as heir to the royal lineage of David. This is one reason why King Herod feared the young boy would threaten his dynasty.
Jesus was not born on December 25. Or in winter, for that matter. Jesus was likely born in the spring when shepherds were watching over flocks by night because little lambs were being born. The exact day of Jesus’ birth is unknown. It wasn’t until the 4th century that the Roman Catholic Church decided to celebrate the birth of Jesus and chose December 25 as His birthday; the same day Rome celebrated winter solstice and the birth of their gods with pagan festivals.
( Painting by Sandro Botticelli)
Alekhya Talapatra 