Trivia Question: What country first issued a commemorative Christmas Postage stamp? a. United States b. France c. Canada
look under the Snowman below for the answer

People of the Christmas Narrative M-Z

Magi - (Greek "Magos" our English word magic derives from this word), can also be translated as fortune tellers, astronomers, wise men, court astrologers, magicians or Zoroaster priests of Persia who studied and interpreted signs in the sky. They could have been descendants of schooled Jews still in Babylon after the exile [Dan. 1:20, 2:20].
It’s recorded in Daniel chapter 2 of Daniel’s being made chief of the Babylonian wise men after correctly interpreting Nebuchadnessar’s dream [Dan. 2:48]. The Magi might have came from the Mesopotamia or Arabian area, but probably from the rising Parthain Empire (centered around the current nations of Iran and Afghanistan), which basically encompassed the old Mede, Persian, and Babylonian empires. The Parthian Empire bordered the Roman Empire and was never successfully conquered by the Romans. The Parthain Magi did many things, among which they were instrumental in the choosing of Parthain kings. Jeremiah 39:1-14 refers to Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag (or chief magi) in Nebuchadnezzar's court, whom was instrumental in getting Jeremiah out of Babylonian prison. Some see Isa. 60:3,6 as prophecy of the coming wisemen.
They met with King Herod at Jerusalem upon the disappearance of the star [see Star] to inquire of the birth of the King of the Jews. This >>> orig., later<<< troubled Herod (and when Herod's troubled, everyone is troubled - Matt. 2:3 see Herod ). If these were Parthian Magi, they were King makers and he, Herod, had been crowned King of the Jews by Caesar Augustus himself. Another possibility that may have troubled Herod was they quite probably would have been traveling with a small army since they were carrying valuables through bandit infested wilderness and entering in to Roman territory, while Herod's forces were probably occupied in conducting Ceasar's census.
When they found the child in a house (or building) they fell down (prostrated themselves) and worshipped him and presented him with gifts [see Gifts]. Being warned in a dream by God not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another way. This very much upset the already troubled Herod.

In the 6th century was the first recorded mention of the Magi as 3 Kings and being named; Balthasar or Balthazar - 40 year old King of Ethiopia bringing myrrh and Melchoir - 40 year old King of Arabia bringing gold, Caspar or Gaspar- 20 year old King of Tarsus bringing frankincense.

They're usually depicted with Balthasar in red with gold from Asia, Melchior in green with myrrh from Europe, and Caspar in blue with incense from Africa. This would make only Balthasar coming from the east, Melchior would be from the northwest and Caspar from the southwest. The Kings' bodies were supposedly found and taken to Constantinople in the 3rd or 5th century and then taken to Milan after the 1st Crusade and currently in a Cathedral in Cologne, Germany. >>> the altar in the church, later<<<.

Mary – (Greek spelling of Miriam) the mother of Jesus, wife of Joseph . She shows herself to be a woman with a quiet spirit, humble, piety and knowledge of the scriptures. She was not given to talking with others about the any of her experiences [Luke 2:51]. Apparently neither she nor Joseph fully understood her son [Luke 2:50], in spite of their experiences with the supernatural in relation to him, he seems to be something of a mystery to them both.
After her death many legends grew about her, but none seem to be particularly trustworthy. She is written about in some of the Apocryphal Gospels.
In some Christian denominations Mary has achieved the status second only to Jesus. Augustine was one of the early church fathers who thought possible that she'd never sinned. The Roman council of 680AD spoke of her as "blessed, immaculate ever-virgin". In 4th to 7th centuries, feast days came into existence and became popular, currently; Miraculous Conception Sept. 8, Annuniciation Mar. 24, Purification (in temple) Feb. 2, Bodily Assumption (taken to heaven) / Dormition (death, in the Eastern church) Aug. 15. Also during this time, the title "Ever-virgin or Virgin Mary" came into common usage and referred to the belief that she remained a virgin after Jesus' birth and that the brothers and sisters of Jesus [Mk. 6:3, 1 Cor. 9:5, Gal. 1:19] were children of Joseph by a previous marriage of his {There is no scriptural basis for this. Propionates state John 19:27 as basis for this, because why would Jesus give his mother to John’s care if he had brothers living.
But on the same note, if the brothers and sisters mentioned were Joseph’s why didn’t he give her care to them. It seems the most likely reason is as John reports many times “John was the disciple Jesus loved”, who better to entrust his mother to. Also of note is John 19:25 states Mary’s sister (unnamed) being present at the cross, the parallel verses Mt. 27:56 and Mk. 15:40 lists names, by deduction you come up with Salome being Jesus’ aunt, which was James and John’s mother, putting them as cousins of Jesus}. This developed into the idea that being celibate was morally superior to the married state.
In the Middle Ages, Christ became viewed more as an all-powerful ruler and supreme judge and Mary became viewed as a mediator who interceded for sinners. Her prayers were seen to be able to soften the stern judgment of Christ, during the time of the Black plague of the 14th century. Along this time, titles developed for her including, Mystical Rose, Tower of David and Refuge of Sinners. Also associated dogma developed; Angelos - commemorates the incarnation of Christ by the 3 recitations of "Hail Mary" and a brief prayer at 6am, noon and 6pm, Rosary beads - has 5 sets of beads called decades (1 large, 10 small) and a crucifix pendant. On the large bead the Lord's prayer or Our Father is said, on the small beads Hail Mary or Ave Maria is sited. As prayers are said the person can optionally meditate on a series of events from the lives of Christ and Mary. Its origin is unknown, but is ascribed to St. Dominic of the 13th century. Shrines - dedicated to Mary started being built in 12th century, many after a reported apartition of Mary.
The Immaculate (pure, clean) Conception of Mary, a dogma stating that from the first creation of Mary's soul it was free from the original sin, or that she was not born in sin, as everyone else has since Adam and Eve [Rom. 3:23], and is narrated in the apocryphal protogospel of James (not the Biblical book of James).
Many controversies have risen since it's first observance in the 5th century, Franciscan friars staunchly defended and preached it, Dominican's staunchly opposed it, saying it detracted from Christ's role as savior. (Note, even Mary declared in Lk. 1:47 that she "rejoiced in God her Savour", if she had been without sin, she didn't need saving.)
In 1854 Pope Pius IX issued a decree declaring the Immaculate Conception essential for the belief of the universal church, but left it open as to if she died first.
The Assumption of Mary (taking up into heaven after her death to be reunited with her soul) became part of Roman Catholic doctrine in 1950 by Pope Pius XI.
All of these beliefs that have come to being over the years about Mary has no sound scriptural basis and puts her on a level she doesn't occupy in scripture [see Matt. 12:46-50 and Luke 11:27-28]. >>>more to add later
Of unusual note is the Church of the Milk Grotto, in Bethlehem where traditionally Mary spilt some of her breast milk. According to legend Mary and Joseph was hurrying to leave Bethlehem for Egypt, when she stopped to breast feed the baby Jesus and in the rush spilt some of her milk which turned the stone white. for 100's of years, Christian and Muslim women alike have come here to pray to Mary and to get some of the white stone to eat in hopes of being able to produce milk.

Narrators of the Christmas Story Matthew and Luke are all of the sources we have for the for events of the birth of Jesus. Both have different aspects, backgrounds, sources, etc. Matthew, a Jew, seems to have written to a Jewish audience, has numerous references to ancient Jewish prophecies being fulfilled. Luke, a Gentile, seems to have written to a Gentile audience, with attention to accuracy to dispell myths. Matthew has the magis' visit, Luke the shepherds' visit. Matthew lists Jesus' lineage through Joseph his legal father and official lineage, Luke list Jesus' lineage through Mary his actual blood line, regardless both show a royal lineage. There were many other narratives, some quite fanciful, all discredited by 1st and 2nd century scholars who were much closer to the event than me.

Matthew - >>>add Matthew later<<<

Luke, a Gentile, was the only non-Jewish writer of a Biblical book. He was well educated and a medical physician and co-worker of the apostle Paul. Luke's narration has been described as starting out like a musical with just about everyone bursting out in song [see Songs. ]. Luke uses the greek word ANOTHEN translated "from the very first" [Lk. 1:3], which can also be defined as "from an eye witness or first-hand account". Of the people mentioned in Luke's account and the only one still living at the time of Luke's writing was Mary herself. He is the only one that records "she hid these things in her heart", which would mean she must have been the one who gave them to him. Luke also mentions Mary more than any other. He is also the only Biblical writer to mention Jesus' childhood.
Luke tried to accurately date the events, but the chronology is very confusing because it is hard to tell which method of dating early historians used in recording dates. For instance depending of which of the calendars you use for dating the first day of the year on Julian calendar is our Jan. 1st, Tylian is our Apr. 1st, Hebrew civil calendar is around our Sept., Hebrew sacred calendar is around our Mar. The dating of years could be from most anything. Luke’s account, addressed to a Roman reader, was to be all factual and would have been in circulation before people born at or before Christ’s birth had died, he would’ve made all attempts at accuracy so as not to be discredited.

Shepherds – those who primary occupation was caring for sheep. Shepherds were never thought highly of by most [Gen. 46:34, 1 Sam. 17:28]. There was and still is pasture land around Bethlehem used for sheep.
Many believe that the angels' visit occurred sometime in the spring because it was common for shepherds to watch their sheep day and night during the spring lambing time. But also of note is that the shepherds were “abiding in the fields,” not pastures or sheepfolds. It was common for farmers to allow sheep and cattle to graze their fields after the harvest had been made, ridding the fields of the stubble, also sheep won’t eat under a hot sun and only feed at night. In which case this would probably be sometime in late summer or early fall.
{The following is an interesting speculation.} The temple needed unblemished lambs every morning and evening for temple sacrifices. Rabbinical authorities had authorized that animals found between Jerusalem and Bethlehem could be used for this purpose. Also Priests had temple flocks of sheep being watched by shepherds in this area. It was possible that the very shepherds that first seen the Christ child (later referred as the Lamb of God, [John 1:29,36]), were the same shepherds responsible for watching over the lambs to be sacrificed for the peoples' sin. It was also common for young Levite boys to serve as shepherds for the temple flocks. Which opens up all sorts of possibilities, for example the shepherds who that first seen the Christ child could have later been present at the temple when the 12 year old Jesus was asking questions or maybe present during Jesus' ministry or even present during his trial and crucifixion. For more on this see Zechariah for an interesting finding and For what's the big deal anyway.
Also of note, of all the people mentioned in the Christmas Story only the shepherds got to see the Angelic host and hear them sing.

Simeon (means “a hearkening”), he met Joseph, Mary and the baby during their Temple presentation (which was about 40 days after his birth) and prophesied over the baby [Luke 2:25-35].
He's described as: "and the same man [was] just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ." He was the first prophet to declare the arrival of the Christ (Messiah).
It's thought that he was old (though the scriptures doesn't mention this as it does with Anna), due it saying [Luke 2:26; "And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ"].
If he was old it, might would explain why he and Anna, who was also old and looking for the coming Christ, didn't go to Bethlehem when the Magi had came inquiring about his birth. Then again, the Magi probably didn't come looking until sometime after this event [see Gifts for more].
It's also been speculated that Simeon in a sense represented the Law and Israel, that needed dismissal from it [Luke 2:30; "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation"] and Anna in a sense represented the Gentles, a widow with no living husband, who was joyous to see the fulfillment of the Law and dawning of the Age of Grace.
His prophesy builds on the earlier quotes of Mary, who speaks of [Luke 1:47 "her Savior"] (personal), then Zechariah, who speaks of [Luke 1:69; "salvation for us in the house of his servant David"] (to the Jews), and now Simeon who speaks ofat [Luke 2:29-32; "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel."] (to all people). To this Joseph and Mary "marveled at", to the rest of the prophesy they were quiet, [Luke 2:34,35; "And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this [child] is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed"]. "Spoken against", Nietzsche regarded Jesus Christ as the curse of the race because he spared the weak. Note it says the sword will piece her soul too, Mary was the one person that was with Jesus throughout his life and ministry and was there at the crucifixion and seen the sword thrust up into her son. This must've been extremely painful for her also.
Many believe that this was the same Simeon who lived about this time that followed his father Hillel as president of the Sanhedrin and whose son Gamaliel, St. Paul studied under [Acts 22:3] (which would be pretty ironic if true, that Saul, later Paul, who first persecuted the believers of Christ, studied under the man whose father had seen and prophesied over the Christ child).

Zechariah or Zachariah – (means “when Jehovah remembers”), "), , husband of Elisabeth, was visited by Angel while serving as priest in the temple, told he have a son in his old age, was stuck mute because of unbelief, was able to speak after writing that his son's name was to be John, then filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.
Zechariah would be the first, after 400 years of silence, to witness a supernatural manifestation from God, by the angel Gabriel. No prophetic word had been made since Malachi some 400 years before, and this would ultimately fulfill Malachi's prophecy of Elijah coming again.
Both him and his wife were Aaron's descendants. Aaronic priests did the burning of incense at the altar and the offering of sacrifices for the sins of the people They also read the law and blessed the people. Levites were assistants to the Aaronic priests. During David's reign the Aaronic priests were divided into 24 divisions and each division officiated for a week at a time and at major festivals [1 Chr. 24:1,10, 2 Chr. 23:8, 2 Kng. 11:7]. Zechariah was of the Abijah's 8th division. Due to there being so many priests, lots were cast to see who would burn incense.
The following is an interesting note concerning Zechariah's "order of his course", [Luke 1:8] and Luke's attempt to write everything in the order that they occurred [Luke 1:3]. So with keeping that in consideration along with a little speculation is the following theory:
Zechariah was of the eighth rotation, so (according to Bible scholars), he would be serving sometime close to middle of our June (the Jewish calendar is different from ours and is made up of 28 day months). If John was conceived then, it would place him being born 9 months later on or near the Passover feast. {Note: according to Jewish tradition; there is always an empty plate set at the Passover meal for Elijah, Jesus claimed that John was Elijah [Matt. 17:10-13, Luke 1:17]} Mary finds out of Elisabeth's pregnancy in her 6th month, which probably was the time of Jesus' conception [Luke 1:26-38], this would be in our December, possibly in or around the "Feast of Dedication", (also known as the feast of lights or Hannukah). {Note the references to Jesus, "the Word" and light in John 1:1-14, 8:12} Now if Jesus was conceived in mid to late December, that would put him being born in or around the "Feast of Tabernacles", in September. {Note the Feast of Tabernacles is where the Jews go and builds a "booth" and communes or dwells with God, compare to John 1:14} {Again this is just a theory [for more see Fulfilled], but if there's any grounds to it, it's possible Jesus was conceived on Dec. 25th, due to the fact that our Dec. 25th sometimes comes a couple of weeks after or during Hannukah. And when you think about it, conception would "technically" be when Jesus came to earth.}
It seems ironic that Zechariah, who quite possibly had the job of sacrificing the lamb for the sins of the people, had a son himself John, who was to announce to all "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" [John 1:29], in referring to Jesus Christ. [see What's the big deal?}