Trivia Question: Which character(s) directly evolved into Santa Claus? a. Kris Kringle, b. St. Nicholas, c. Father Christmas
look under the Snowman below for the answer

People of the Christmas Narrative

Angels - (means "messenger") In the Bible they are mainly used by God as messengers, though they may be used as warriors, or protectors in doing God’s will. They seem to be invisible to human eyes, unless God deems you being able to see them. From what descriptions we have of them in scripture they’re not the little baby cupid like cherubs, but either go inconspicuous in human form or quickly invoking fear to the beholder. The most common statement made by the angels in narration's seems to be reassuring ones "do not be afraid or do not fear". Some angels seem to be of a different form all together such as the Cherubim and Seraphim. There’s recorded both good and bad angels (also known as fallen angels, with Satan being one). Only two are mentioned by name; Gabriel and Michael and both are described as archangels (some see one other recorded in Daniel 8 as Palmoni, which means "numberer of secrets" or "wonderful numberer", translated as saint or holy one in English bibles, he’s not described as an angel). Angels are figure prominently in the Christmas narrative appearing to Joseph, Zechariah, Mary, and the Shepherds, which was the first supernatural manifestation from God in 400 years.

The Babe, The Christ child, Jesus, Immanuel The focus of the entire narratives, just like our calendar years date to the birth, then after the birth, so does the Old Testament lead up to the birth, with prophecy after prophecy being fulfilled perfectly with the birth birth (over 300 fulfilled during his life, Fulfilled Prophesies for more).
The babe was named Jesus which is Greek for Joshua or Yeshua and means savior. Matthew also states he'd be called Immanuel which means God with us. He's most known as Jesus Christ, not that Christ was his last name. Christ was a title which has the same meaning as the Hebrew Messiah which means the Anointed One. Anointing was usually done by applying some oil to the head of a person who was to have a special purpose in life, such as kings and priests, [for more on Messiah see Priest and Scribes ] So what was the big deal about this baby being born? See what's the big deal?

Caesar Augustus - title of Octavian, also known as Gaius Juluis Caesar Octavianus, lived 963BC - AD14. According to Luke's Narration he was ruling at the time of Christ and unknowingly indirectly responsible for the Christ Child being born in Bethlehem. He was Julius Caesar’s grandnephew and became his adopted son. After Julius Caesar’s assassination in 44BC; Octavian was rallied around by Julius’s friends as successor to Julius and heir to the Roman State. He fought against, and fought with Mark Anthony. Then Octavian became co-rulers (triumvers) with Mark Antony and Lepidus. Mark Anthony married Octavian's sister, Octavia, but later sent her back to Rome and married Egyptian Queen Cleopatra who had had a son by Julius Caesar, named Caesarion (little Caesar). In 31BC, a battle ensued between Octavian forces and Mark Anthony and Cleopatra's forces, in which Octavian won. The next year Mark Anthony and Cleopatra committed suicide, Caesarion was murdered, and Lepidus forced to retire, this left Octavian as sole ruler of the Roman World.
In 27BC the Roman Senate gave Octavian the title Augustus ( the consecrated, holy, exalted, venerable or sacred one), later the title Pontifex Maximus (or chief priest), the Imperator (the Emperior or Commander in Chief), among many other titles. He was responsible for the PAX ROMANA (or "Roman peace) and was emperor of the Roman Empire from 30BC to AD14. An interesting note, roman coins with his image had the inscription "CAESAR AVGVSTVS DIVI F PATER PATRIAE translated son of the divine god" on them, especially since the real son of the divine God was born during his reign. It's been said God has a sense of humor. See Augustus coins for more

Chief Priests and Scribes - (the religious elite of Israel), when consulted by King Herod [Matt. 2:4], quoted Micah 5:2, but didn’t go 5-6 miles out of town to confirm the much anticipated prophesy coming to pass for themselves.
There were two expectations of the fulfillment of the prophesies concerning the Messiah. First was he would be a "National Messiah/King" a descendent of King David and would free the Jewish people from all foreign rule and establish a kingdom of peace. Second was he would be a "Priestly Messiah" who through the knowledge of God, bring peace to his people and the world. Much of the people were of the first expectation, the people of Qumran (writers of the dead sea scrolls) had this second expectation of the coming Messiah.
Scribes "writer or set in order" job was to make copies of the Bible, to classify and teach the precepts of the law and to keep count of every letter of the law to ensure it not being changed during copying. Scribes had recorded rabbinical decisions on questions over the years; Halachoth (concerning rituals) was the new code resulting from those decisions, Gemaria (concerning sacred legends), Hagada (concerning reasons for the legends), Kabbala (concerning mystical interpretations of scriptures).

Elisabeth or Elizabeth - "to whom God is the oath", mother of John (the baptist), wife of Zechariah, cousin of Mary, daughter of a priest (was of the daughters of Aaron). Nothing is known of her outside of the Bible. She was old and above child bearing years, she considered it a reproach or disgrace to have been unable to bear children. Luke says that "they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless." >>>more to add later<<<
In 1263 at the request of St. Bonaventure, Elisabeth was canonized and her feast day, shared with Zechariah's is Nov. 5th.

Gabriel - (means "man of God") archangel sent to Daniel [Dan. 8:15-16, 9:21-27], Zachariah [Luke 1; 11-20], Mary [Luke 1:26-31] and others. Recognized by Muslims and Jews as well as Christians. Declared a saint by Roman Catholic Church and observed on March 24th. He is usually depicted in art holding a trumpet or lily.

Herod - Note, There are more than one Herod mentioned in the Bible, they intermarried, many had the same name and it can be quite confusing. Here's a quick run down on the most prominent Herod's.
Herod Antipater II was the 1st Idumean ruler over the Jews (Idumeans, called half-Jews by Jews, were descendants of Esau - Jacob's brother) married a Nabataean, appointed by Julius Caesar as Procurator of Judea in 47BC, helped Caesar war against Cleopatra. He was known for justice and devotion to his country and was murdered by a tax collector in 43BC.
Herod the Great (builder) the first Jewish King in 580 years, (Mt. 2:1-19, Lk. 1:5) son of Antipater II, was about 25 when appointed by his father as governor of Galilee in 47BC. After his capturing of Jerusalem from the Hasmoneans in 37BC, during the Hasmonean revolt, Herod convinced the Emperor Caesar Augustus to proclaim him King of Judea. He married Mariamne, granddaughter of the High priest Hyrcanus II along with at least 9 other women. He sided with Mark Anthony until he was defeated.
He began a tremendous building program. He modernized Jerusalem with baths and palaces, rebuilt Samaria, built a port city of Ceasaria, built many fortresses (among which, Masada and Herodium), constructed many monuments, altars, forums, theaters and pagan temples, and started the reconstruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 20BC.
Herod the Great was probably Palestine's greatest builder/ruler. But was hated by most Jews for his brutal war with the Hasmoneans, the executions of his opponents, the murders of his 2nd wife Mariamne (and all her relatives), his brother Aristobulus the High Priest, his 3 oldest sons, and the imposing of Greek and Roman culture on the Jews. Caesar Augustus said, "it is better to be Herod's hog then to be his son". He was noted as being "exceeding crafty, jealous, cruel, and revengeful". This was Herod who met the Magi and ordered the slaughter of the Bethlehem babies.
Due to a prophecy of his power passing from him, Herod executed Pharisee leaders, 2 of his personal attendants and all in his household that associated themselves with the Pharisee prediction in 6BC. In his last days, while suffering from an illness he ordered the imprisonment of the most notable people of Jerusalem with orders to have them killed the day he died "the people will not weep when I die and I want them weeping, even if they weep over someone else". During this time he was suffering from a long illness. Many believe Herod died on April 1st just before Passover in 4BC. His kingdom was divided among 4 of his sons.
Herod Archelaus, [Mt. 2:19-23] eldest son of Herod the Great and Malthace became the successor in 4BC. But prominent Jews persuaded Caesar to not appoint him King, and instead he was made Governor of Idumea, Judea and Samaria. Jesus' parents returned from Egypt during this time and settled in Galilee, north of his rule. There was such turmoil during Archelaus' rule he was banished to Vienna in AD6. At which point Roman officials started governing the Judea province.
Herod Antipas, [Lk. 3:1, 23:7-12, Mt. 14:1-12, Mk. 6:14-29] Archelaus' younger brother, son of Herod by Maltake, a Samaritan, ruled as governor of Galilee and Perea provinces from 4BC to AD39, and was noted as "exceeding selfish, cunning, and immoral". He first married the daughter of the Aretas, king of Petra, then married Herodias, the wife of his half-brother, Herod Philip (or Herod Antipater III). Herod Antipas was the Herod that had John the Baptist beheaded and mocked Jesus during his trials. He founded the city of Tiberias, named in honer of Emperor Tiberias. King Aretas insulted by the treatment to his daughter and/or John the Baptist invaded Herod's territory and defeated him. Later, Herodias persauded him should go to Rome be made king, but Tiberias was no longer in reign and due to charges brought about by Herod Agrippa I, instead of becoming a king, he was banished in AD39 accompanied by Herodias, where he died in exile.
Herod Philip I [mentioned in Mark 6:17], was the son of Herod and Mariamne (or could have been Antipater III, son of Herod and Doris). Married Herodias, sister of Herod Agrippa I, and had a daughter, Salome. Soon after he was excluded from any of his fathers' possessions due to his mother's treachery, (or if Antipater III for his plot to assasinate Herod in 4BC) Herodias left him to marry. (I'm not sure which one was Herodias's first husband mentioned in Mark 6:17)
Herod Philip II [mentioned in Luke 3:1], son of Herod and Cleopatra of Jerusalem, was tetrarch (Note: a Tetrarch was a governor of a fourth of a country or sometimes to anyone who governed a Roman province. A tetrarch sometimes was titled king.) of Batanea Trachonitis, Auramtis and some of Jamnia (4BC to AD34). Rebuilt Paneas renamed it Caesarea Philippi [Matt. 16:13]. Married Herodias' daughter Salome.
Herod Agrippa I [Acts 12:1-24] was the grandson of Herod the Great and son of Aristobulus and Berenice. He became good friends with Gaius Caligula while attending school in Rome. He was imprisoned by Tiberius, but upon Caligulas' becoming Emperor, Agrippa was released and made King of provinces north and south of Israel in AD37. Agrippa brought charges against his uncle Antipas, which resulted in Antipas' banishment. Agrippa got Antipas' provinces in AD39, and he received the Judea and Samaria provinces in AD41. He was a strict observer of the Jewish law and began persecuting the Christians in an attempt to keep the Jews happy. He was the Herod that had James killed and Peter imprisoned. His daughter Drusilla, married Felix [Acts 24:24]. Acts 12:23 says the Lord had him stuck down by an Angel for not giving glory to God, AD44.
Herod Agrippa II, was Agrippa's son, in AD62 was appointed king and given the tetrarches of Philip and Lysanias and was very unpopular with the Jews. It was during his reign the Jews revolted and Jerusalem was destroyed along with the temple, he'd sided with the Romans. Acts 25:12 - 26:28 tells of Paul's meeting with him. He lived with his sister Bernice and was the last king descendant of Herod, he died in AD100.

John (English spelling for Johanan, "Jehovah is gracious" or "God-given") son of Zechariah andElisabeth , known of as John the Baptist, would've been named Zechariah had their neighbors had their way. Before his birth an angel appeared to Zechariah and told him; [Luke 1:13-17 Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. {to the wisdom: or, by the wisdom}] Fulfilling the prophecies of the coming again of Elijah [Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 4:4-6].
Both of John's aged parents were descendants of priests and he was born 6 months before Jesus, nothing is known of his childhood. His first appearance is in the wilderness wearing a camel's hair garment with a leather belt and a diet of locust and wild honey, where multitudes from "every quarter" came to hear him preach and be baptized by him. Jesus himself went to be baptized by him, when John announced [John 1:29-33 Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. {taketh away: or, beareth} This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.]. He continued in his ministry and taught his disciples how to pray and fast before being arrested and imprisoned around March of AD28 by Herod Antipas for denouncing of Herods' sinfulness. While in prison he heard of the miracle of Jesus. Around March of AD29 during a court festival, Salomes' dancing, the daughter of his wife Herodias, pleased Herod so much that he said he would grant whatever she asked. Prompted by Herodias, she asked for the head of John, who was then executed and his head brought in for her.
Jesus said of John: [Matthew 11:9-14 For this is [he], of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. {suffereth...: or, is gotten by force, and they that thrust men} For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come.]. Of interesting note; Jew's for thousands of years have always placed an extra plate at the table during the Passover meal for Elijah, if you calculate when John was born [see Zechariah for more], he would been born on or near Passover.
>>>add about Elijah's mantle (tsi-tsi), later<<

Joseph - (Hebrew yoseph, "may God add") the earthly legal father of Jesus and husband of Mary. Joseph was considered a "a just man or upright man" which implies kindness, fairness, sympathy and obedience to God. Supposed by some to be Jesus' actual father [Luke 2:2 & 2:23, 4:22], but according to both narratives of Jesus' birth, he wasn't. (Note, besides the actual story we have of Jesus' supernatural conception, it's also noted that in Matthew's genealogy he used begat "son of" 39 times until Matt. 1:16; "Jacob begat Joseph husband of Mary of whom was born Jesus." The Greek word "Exhos" translated as "to whom" is feminine which denotes a female "whom".) Joseph while not actually the father of Jesus, he was the legal father to him.
Joseph was a carpenter (some have defined this as a worker in wood, such as a furniture maker) Matt. 1:16 and probably taught the trade to Jesus [Mark 6:3] and was betrothed to Mary [see Zechariah] as each narrative begins.
After learning of Mary's pregnancy (possibly 3 months along, due to Mary's 3 month trip to see her relative Elizabeth, Luke 1:56), was thinking of having her privately put away (divorced) instead of a public humiliation by bringing her to court, which could have lead to her being stoned to death [Deu. 22:20-24]. But while thinking this he was visited by an angel of the Lord in a dream explaining Mary's pregnancy [Matt 1:20-23]. He immediately acted upon this dream and took Mary for his wife [see Espoused], but didn't have any sexual relations with her (which according to custom finalizes a marriage) until after the "first born"[Matt. 1:25]. Had Joseph not acted upon this dream and "put Mary away", Jesus would’ve grew up as an illegitimate child and labeled as such [see Virgin Birth for more].
As a result of Caesar Augustus' decree of a census, Joseph went to Bethlehem due to his Davidic descent. He took Mary with him who was evidently near full term. He was present at the temple for consecrating the firstborn child to Lord and offering a sacrifice [Exo. 13:2,12,13 Lev. 12:8], and present when the magi visited them. He was poor, because of the dove sacrifice offered [see Star]. He was visited again in a dream and warned of Herod's plot and he, Mary and the child fled to Egypt [Matt. 2:13-19]. After the death of Herod the Great Joseph is visited by the Angel of the Lord in a dream and told it was safe to return. They returned to Israel, but settled in the Galilean town of Nazareth due to a warning in dream about Herod Archeleus' rule in Judea.
Every year he and Mary attended the Passover feast in Jerusalem [Luke 2:41]. Very little is known of Joseph after the taking of the 12-year old Jesus to the Passover feast in Jerusalem. It's believed that he was still alive during Jesus' ministry, because when Jesus was teaching in Nazareth the people said isn't this the carpenter's son [Matt. 13:55]. But it's thought by some that he may of died sometime before Jesus' crucifixion because of Jesus' commanding his mother to John.
Many things have been written in apocryphal books about Joseph's life and death, most probably all fiction.