Relative Timeline of Christmas Events with Scripture References

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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:

·       Timeline of World History

·       Countdown to the Flood

·       Timeline of the Flood

·       Biblical Timeline from Creation to the Captivity

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).

Gabriel visits Mary; image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

• 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]

Manger; image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

• 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).

Levite priest coming for a circumcision; image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

• 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).

Turtledoves for sacrifice; image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

• 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).

Star over the house; ; image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

• 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.

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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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[1] With Tim Chaffey

[2] The Star could have appeared in the night sky at this point (this is option 1).

[3] The Star could have appeared in the night sky at this point (this is option 2).

The Religious Views Of The Founding Signers

The Religious Views Of The Founding Signers

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, November 24, 2025 (Donate)

The Signers And Their Local Denomination

Most of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were clearly members of Christian churches (Congregationalist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Quaker, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.) and one was a Roman Catholic. No signer ever blatantly denied Christ or Scripture.

Several signers didn’t write much on their personal understanding of biblical matters or if they did, it hasn’t survived. Nonetheless, they were members of certain churches for their life’s duration and thus, we can know what they largely believed by that.

Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, PA where the Continental Congress held sessions in 1775; Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

Rarely, especially in that age, would someone be an active member of a local Christian church as a Hindu, pagan, atheist and so on! Tallied below are the religious affiliation of the signers.

·       New Hampshire

Josiah Bartlett – Congregationalist
William Whipple – Congregationalist
Matthew Thornton – Presbyterian

·       Massachusetts

John Hancock – Congregationalist
Samuel Adams – Congregationalist; wrote: “We have this day restored the Sovereign to whom alone men ought to be obedient.” (Letter to James Warren, 1775)
John Adams – Congregationalist (later Unitarian); wrote extensively of Providence: “The general principles on which the fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity.” (Letter to Jefferson, June 28, 1813)
Robert Treat Paine – Congregationalist
Elbridge Gerry – Congregationalist

·       Rhode Island

Stephen Hopkins – Quaker
William Ellery – Congregationalist

·       Connecticut

Roger Sherman – Congregationalist; helped draft the Doctrinal Creed of Yale; wrote: “I believe that there is one only living and true God... and that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are a revelation from God.” (Sherman Manuscript Confession)
Samuel Huntington – Congregationalist
William Williams – Congregationalist
Oliver Wolcott – Congregationalist

·       New York

William Floyd – Presbyterian
Philip Livingston – Presbyterian
Francis Lewis – Presbyterian
Lewis Morris – Episcopalian

·       New Jersey

Richard Stockton – Presbyterian
John Witherspoon – Presbyterian minister; signed as “Rev. John Witherspoon” and wrote: “Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.” (Sermon, 1776)
Francis Hopkinson – Episcopalian; church music composer
John Hart – Baptist
Abraham Clark – Presbyterian

·       Pennsylvania

Robert Morris – Episcopalian
Benjamin Rush – Presbyterian
Benjamin Franklin – Raised Presbyterian; wrote: “God governs in the affairs of men.” (Speech at Constitutional Convention, 1787)
John Morton – Lutheran
George Clymer – Episcopalian
James Smith – Presbyterian
George Taylor – Episcopalian
James Wilson – Presbyterian
George Ross – Episcopalian

·       Delaware

Caesar Rodney – Episcopalian
George Read – Episcopalian
Thomas McKean – Presbyterian

·       Maryland

Samuel Chase – Episcopalian
William Paca – Episcopalian
Thomas Stone – Episcopalian
Charles Carroll of Carrollton – Roman Catholic; wrote: “On the mercy of my Redeemer I rely for salvation.” (Carroll letter, 1825)

·       Virginia

George Wythe – Episcopalian
Richard Henry Lee – Episcopalian
Thomas Jefferson – Episcopalian for a time (theologically unorthodox, but Christian by identification); wrote: “God who gave us life gave us liberty.” (Notes on the State of Virginia, Query XVIII)
Benjamin Harrison – Episcopalian
Thomas Nelson Jr. – Episcopalian
Francis Lightfoot Lee – Episcopalian
Carter Braxton – Episcopalian
George Read – Episcopalian

·       North Carolina

William Hooper – Episcopalian
Joseph Hewes – Quaker (returned to Anglican fellowship near death)
John Penn – Episcopalian

·       South Carolina

Edward Rutledge – Episcopalian
Thomas Heyward Jr. – Episcopalian
Thomas Lynch Jr. – Episcopalian
Arthur Middleton – Episcopalian

·       Georgia

Button Gwinnett – Congregationalist
Lyman Hall – Congregationalist minister
George Walton – Episcopalian

The Big Three

Though some say six, there are definitely three that resisted orthodox teachings on Christ and His deity. Naturally, these are John Adams (unitarian), Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. They were resistant to the full teachings of Scripture, yet respected the Bible and often drew from it or openly borrowed from the Word of God. All acknowledged the God of the Bible, whether they ever surrendered to Christ is unknown—likely not.

Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams; Image requested by Bodie Hodge (ChatGPT)

These men questioned certain doctrines, but never denied Christ’s existence, never denied God’s reality, and often affirmed biblical morality and Providence which was predicated on the Bible. 

Take Jefferson for instance. He believed in a form of “god” and believed this “god” to be just and often quoted from the New Testament while denying it was the true revelation from God.

But here in lies the problem. How would he know anything about the existence of “a god”, if the Bible is not a revelation from the God; how would he know that this alleged “god” of his was just? Knowing anything about God is predicated on God's revelation of Himself and knowing that God is just comes from that same revelation?

Jefferson absolutely faced this unsurmountable philosophical problem—and his entire religious system depends on rejecting biblical revelation while still trying to claim knowledge of God. This places him in a self-contradictory position when examined carefully. Thus, it is self-refuting.

Jefferson thought humans could know:

·       that “a god” exists

·       that “a god” is moral

·       that “a god” is just

·       that “a god” judges nations

·       that “a god” created moral law

·       that “a god” can be appealed to

Yet, without this alleged “god” revealing that to us, one can’t know any of it. This form of “natural religion”, that man can reason it on his own, is purely arbitrary and unsupportable logically.

Some have suggested that Jefferson’s belief was deism, however, in deism, “a god” is hands off and this alleged “god” cannot be known because “it” doesn’t reveal anything. So, you can’t know if this “god” exists or that “it” would be moral, just, and judge! This supposed “god” definitely cannot be appealed to because a deistic “god’ doesn’t act in the affairs of man. See the logical inconsistencies? Without revelation:

·       You cannot know if your “god” is just

·       You cannot know if your “god” cares about morality

·       You cannot know if your “god” rewards virtue

·       You cannot know if your “god” judges nations

·       You cannot know if your “god” is personal

·       You cannot even know if your “god” is one

·       You cannot even know if your “god” uses male pronouns!

These things are not deducible from reason alone. Jefferson arbitrarily assumed them (the reality is that he borrowed them from the Bible), but he could not ground them or have any basis for them within his own system of belief. These are fatal inconsistencies for his worldview.

Conclusion

Did you (the readers) notice the point though? Almost all the signers were blatant Christians. Even non-signers like George Washington was devout in his faith (e.g., consider his support of the John Brown Self-Interpreting Bible now known largely as the Washington Bible). And yet, we spent so much time talking about the compromised signers—like Jefferson or Franklin).

The fact is that most signers were Bible believers and followers of Christ and faithful to their local denomination. Even these others like John Adams, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, often borrowed from the Bible and appealed to it without hesitation, even though their hearts weren’t with the Christ of the Bible.

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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.

God And The Articles Of Confederation

God And The Articles Of Confederation

Bodie Hodge, M.Sc., B.Sc., PEI

Biblical Authority Ministries, October 21, 2025 (Donate)

The Constitution of the United States was not in force until 1789. Prior to that, the first constitution of the USA was called the Articles of Confederation. This document was ratified in and took force beginning in AD 1781 until AD 1789. Though, its inception began in AD 1777.

There were eight presidents of congress that were essentially the highest federal leader of those days prior to George Washington. They served a one-year term and began in AD 1781. They are listed below and the duration of their reign beginning with President John Hanson from Maryland.

John Hanson, 1700s

·       John Hanson, Maryland, (November 1781 – November 1782)

·       Elias Boudinot, New Jersey (November 1782 – November 1783)

·       Thomas Mifflin, Pennsylvania (November 1783 – November 1784)

·       Richard Henry Lee, Virginia (November 1784 – November 1785)

·       John Hancock, Massachusetts (November 1785 – June 1786) (Hancock also served as the initial President of the First Continental Congress years before)

·       Nathaniel Gorham, Massachusetts (June 1786 – Feb 1787)

·       Arthur St. Clair, Pennsylvania (February 1787 – January 1788)

·       Cyrus Griffin, Virginia (January 1788 – April 1789)

After Griffin, the Constitution took effect and George Washington was elected the first four-year president under the new law.

Nevertheless, the Articles of Confederation was a powerful document and it was a legal stepping stone that gives power to its successor. Like many other legal documents of its day, it was steeped in Christian protestant beliefs.

So much so, that it reflects a biblical worldview with notions like liberty, freedom, and rights—which are Christian concepts that flow from the pages of Scripture. Such things do not exist in the consistent secular materialistic religions like atheism, naturalism, and so on. Liberty, freedom, and rights are not material.

In Eastern religions that are monistic (e.g., Hinduism, Taoism, New Age) these things are ultimately meaningless since “all is one” and “all is spirit”. In monism, having liberty and having no liberty are one and the same; having freedom and no freedom is one and the same; and having rights and no rights are one and the same. Thus, it breaks down to utter foolishness. 

John Dickinson, 1700s

When religions around the world have liberty, freedom, and rights, they are borrowing from a biblical worldview. The Articles of Confederation were written (by a Quaker, John Dickenson) and ratified, largely by protestant Christians thinking in terms of a Christian world and life view. Some of the specific instances of direct references to God are:

1. Preamble

·       “Whereas the Delegates of the United States of America in Congress assembled did on the fifteenth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy seven…”

2. Conclusionary Paragraphs

·       “And Whereas it hath pleased the Great Governor of the World to incline the hearts of the legislatures we respectively represent in Congress, to approve of, and to authorize us to ratify the said Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union…”

·       “Done at Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, the ninth Day of July, in the Year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy eight, and in the third year of the Independence of America.”

Christ is in reference in all three of these instances. Twice are listings of the year based on Christ entrance into the world. Christ, our Lord, is clearly in reference here.

Next is the title the “Great Governor of the World”, who is Christ. The government in on His shoulders per Isaiah 9:6

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (NKJV)

And He is the King of kings as in 1 Timothy 6:13-16.

I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen. (NKJV)

Christ has all authority over the earth per the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), will judge (2 Timothy 4:1) all peoples on earth, and has all dominion over the earth to govern (1 Peter 4:11).

If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (NKJV)

Conclusion

Christ is the Great Governor of the World and Dickinson recognized Christ as our Lord twice. For the American people, biblical Christianity dominated most homes as well as the lives of government officials and leaders in the mid to late 1700s in the colonies and newly formed nation of states. And the Articles of Confederation is one more document that reveals that allegiance to Christ.

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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.