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A sinner saved by grace, Bodie Hodge
Relative Timeline of Christmas Events with Scripture
References
Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI
Biblical Authority Ministries, December 24, 2025 (Donate)
As many of you know, I love timelines—they help give a
big picture idea of what is happening. I’ve done hosts of timelines over the years:
I even been involved in timelines that were published in
books. One was The Big
Book Of History and the other was a co-author surrounding the events of the
nativity in one of the chapters the book “The
War On Christmas”.[1]
I decided to put together a timeline of events leading up
and after the first nativity.
Relative Timeline of Christmas
Events with Scripture References
•
Zechariah and Elizabeth conceive John the Baptist in their old age, fulfilling
God’s promise through Gabriel despite their barrenness (Luke 1:5–7, 13–17,
24–25).
•
Mary and Joseph are betrothed, legally pledged but not yet living together
(Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:27).
•
Gabriel visits Mary, announcing that she will conceive and bear the Son of God
(Luke 1:26–33).
•
The Holy Spirit overshadows Mary, and she conceives Jesus while remaining a
virgin; Christ is fully God and fully man from conception (Luke 1:34–35;
Matthew 1:20–23). Gabriel visits Joseph in a dream[2]
•
Gabriel visits Joseph in a dream, assuring him that Mary’s child is from the
Holy Spirit and instructing him to name the child Jesus (Matthew 1:19–21).
•
Mary visits Elizabeth during Elizabeth’s sixth month, confirming that John the
Baptist is about six months older than incarnate Jesus (Luke 1:36, 39–45, 56).
•
After John’s birth, Mary returns to Joseph, and the marriage is not fully
consummated until after Jesus’ birth (Luke 1:57–60; Matthew 1:24–25).
•
A decree from Caesar Augustus orders a census, requiring people to register in
their ancestral towns (Luke 2:1–3).
•
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, the city of David, because of Joseph’s
lineage; extended family may have traveled together (Luke 2:4–5; Matthew 1:6;
Luke 3:23–31). Joseph and Mary—if they had a home—sold it and moved to Bethlehem.
Mary and Joseph were both descendants of David through two different sons (Nathan
and Solomon), thus their respective parents (Heli and his wife) and (Jacob and
his wife) and extended family likely travelled there too in a sizable caravan.
•
They arrive in Bethlehem, where upper guest rooms (katalumas) are full,
and lodging is limited so Mary and Joseph are confined to a lower animal area
(Luke 2:6–7).
•
Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays Him in a manger (Luke 2:7; Isaiah 9:6).[3]
•
Angels appear to shepherds near Bethlehem, announcing the Savior’s birth (Luke
2:8–14).
•
The shepherds visit the Christ child, spreading what they were told by the
angels (Luke 2:15–20).
•
Jesus is circumcised on the eighth day, in obedience to the Mosaic Law by a
local Levite priest (Luke 2:21; Genesis 17:12).
•
After forty days old, Jesus is presented at the Temple, and Mary and Joseph offer
sacrifices of turtledoves/pigeons according to the Law (Luke 2:22–24; Leviticus
12:6–8).
•
Simeon (devout and righteous) and Anna (a prophetess) in inspected and testify about Jesus, recognizing Him as the
promised Redeemer (Luke 2:25–38).
•
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus return to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1).
•
Joseph acquires or builds a house (oikian), and Jesus is no longer a newborn but a young
child (Matthew 2:11).
•
Wise men (magi) from the East arrive in Jerusalem, seeking the newborn King of
the Jews (Matthew 2:1–2).
•
The scribes inform Herod that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem,
fulfilling Micah’s prophecy (Matthew 2:4–6; Micah 5:2).
•
Herod attempts to deceive the wise men, asking when the star appeared and
pretending he wants to worship the child (Matthew 2:7–8).
•
The star reappears south of Jerusalem, guiding the magi to Bethlehem (Matthew
2:9–10).
•
The star stands over the house where Jesus is, confirming divine guidance
(Matthew 2:9).
•
The wise men present three gifts: Gold (a kingly gift), Frankincense (a priestly
gift) and Myrrh (an embalming and medicinal gift worthy of prophets who were often
put to death). All three were expensive (e.g., Matthew 2:11).
•
Warned in a dream (like the ancient head of their order Daniel), the wise men
depart by another route, avoiding Herod (Daniel 2:48; Matthew 2:12).
•
Herod realized his trick was unsuccessful. Herod orders the slaughter of all
boys two years old and under in Bethlehem, attempting to destroy the Messiah
(Matthew 2:16). (Herod likely doubled the age to make sure he got the child).
•
Joseph is warned in a dream and flees to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, fulfilling
prophecy (Matthew 2:13–15; Hosea 11:1).
•
Herod’s soldiers massacre boys 2 and under in Bethlehem (and the region surrounding
it), fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy of Rachel weeping (Matthew 2:16–18;
Jeremiah 31:15).
•
Herod dies, ending his reign of terror (Matthew 2:19; see also: Josephus,
Antiquities 17.8.1).
•
Rome divides Herod’s kingdom among his sons, but denied them kingship:
–
Herod Archelaus rules Judea and Samaria (Matthew 2:22).
–
Herod Antipas rules Galilee and Perea (Luke 3:1; 23:6–7).
–
Philip the Tetrarch rules Iturea and Trachonitis (Luke 3:1).
–
The Decapolis functions as a league of cities under direct Roman authority
(Mark 5:20; 7:31).
•
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus begin their trek to Israel after Herod’s death (Matthew
2:20–21).
•
Warned again in a dream, Joseph settles the family in Nazareth instead of going
back to Bethlehem, fulfilling prophecy (Matthew 2:22–23).
•
Jesus grows in wisdom and stature, favor with God and man (Luke 2:40, 52).
•
Mary and Joseph have other children, including James, Joses, Judas, Simon, and
at least two sisters (Mark 6:3; Matthew 13:55–56).
This timeline gives the relative events in their order. I
hope it has been a blessing to you this Christmas season.
Bodie Hodge, Ken
Ham's son in law, has been an apologist since 1998 helping out in various
churches and running an apologetics website. He spent 21 years working at Answers
in Genesis as a speaker, writer, and researcher as well as a founding
news anchor for Answers News. He was also head of the Oversight
Council.
Bodie
launched Biblical Authority Ministries in 2015 as a personal
website and it was organized officially in 2025 as a 501(c)(3). He has spoken
on multiple continents and hosts of US states in churches, colleges, and
universities. He is married with four children.
