Christmas: The Full Story

An introduction

The idea of the God of the universe being born as a man on our microcosmic planet in a back corner of our little galaxy has always been a difficult concept to accept. This is especially the case since He did it in such an inconspicuous way, appearing in an otherwise historically minor country and only having an active ministry for 3 years, and that all a very long time ago. Thus, to this day, most of the human race still doesn’t believe Christ was who He said He was. His case, in a word, is the same as the Bible’s; is that book Divine revelation from God - or just an assorted collection of wise sayings and historical trivia?

The most significant aspect of the teachings revealed through Swedenborg is that they profoundly change the perspective on these issues. Those teachings fill in the explanation of the spiritual reality going on behind the physical appearance of Christ in this world and behind the literal stories of Scripture. Christ’s life, and the story about it and other things in the Bible, turn out to be just tiny iceberg tips, giving only hints of the absolutely enormous spiritual realities going on "behind the scenes." The Christmas story, fully understood, is one introduction to that vast spiritual panorama. 

The readings included in this section are some classic treatments of the subjects involved.  The reader is forewarned, however, that some of these articles are complex - not surprising in view of the extraordinary nature of the subject and the profound truths involved.  But the pursuit of these truths is surely worthwhile since we cannot relate to a God we do not understand.  

1. Christmas for Grown-Ups

• Why did God create the universe and what does that have to do with Christmas? - a brief stage-setting

• The Two Stories of Christmas - big-picture overview of the whole sweep of spiritual meaning of the Christmas story as applied to our lives

The Story's Components:

Prophecy

• The Uses of Messianic Prophecy
• The Messianic Prophecy and Its Fulfillment
• Being Called Out of Egypt

Location

• Why the Lord was Born in Bethlehem
• The City of David
• Bethlehem Ephratah
• Why There Was No Room in the Inn

Annunciation

• Shepherds Keeping Watch
• Good News
• The Star in the East
• The Evening and the Morning Stars
• The Angel Gabriel

The Birth

• Link to The Virgin Birth
• The Immaculate Conception
• The Lord’s State at Birth
• Call His Name "Jesus"
• What "No Room at the Inn" Really Means
• And Myrrh
• Why we are given pictures of the Lord’s conception and birth
• "And the Word Was Made Flesh"

What the Hallelujah Chorus Really Means

• The Kingdom of Jesus Christ

Relation to the Second Coming

• Two Advents: One Divine Process

2. Christmas for Children (of all ages!)

• Why Did the Angels Say "Fear Not" ?
• Why Did They Find Him in a Manger?
• Why Does Christmas Make Us Happy?
• How Was God Born as Jesus?
• What the Wise Men Knew
• The Darkness of Christmas
• How We Know About the Lord and His Coming
• Why Did the Star Disappear?
• Why Didn’t the Wise Men Go Straight to Bethlehem?
• Our Own Christmas Star
• Seeing the Lord in His Coming

3.  Advanced Study

• Thoughts Concerning the Conception, Birth and Glorification of Jesus Christ
• The Comings of the Lord
• In Swaddling Clothes, Lying in a Manger
• Born of Jehovah
• The Virgin Birth and the Angel Gabriel
• The Lord’s Temptations
• The Genealogies of the Lord