500 Year Journey: How the Magi Knew When Jesus Would Be Born – with Cory Piper

In this episode of the Theology for the People podcast, I speak with Cory Piper. Cory is a teacher who specializes in the Old Testament, theology, and history. He recently wrote a book called 500 Year Journey: How the Magi Knew When Jesus Would be Born

We discuss who the Magi were and why they came to Jerusalem at the exact time they did, when Jesus was born, and how it ties into the book of Daniel and other Old Testament passages.

Additionally, we talk about the history of why the church has celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25, and whether that has any ties to paganism or not.

Click here to listen to the episode or listen in the embedded player below.

500 Year Journey: How the Magi Knew When Jesus Would be Born – with Cory Piper Theology for the People

Cory Piper is a teacher who specializes in the Old Testament, theology, and history. He recently wrote a book called 500 Year Journey: How the Magi Knew When Jesus Would be Born We discuss who the Magi were and why they came to Jerusalem at the exact time they did, when Jesus was born, and how it ties into the book of Daniel and other Old Testament passages. Additionally, we talk about the history of why the church has celebrated the birth of Jesus on December 25, and whether that has any ties to paganism or not. Visit the Theology for the People website at nickcady.org

SNL’s Nativity

Emma Stone and SNL put together a great skit on the nativity and how un-glamorous it must have actually been to have a baby in a barn.

My favorite lines:

Wise man: “We brought you gold, frankincense and myrrh.” 
Mary: “Great! I heard ‘blankets, diapers and a crib…'”

“I’m sorry, I guess when I found out that I was going to give birth to the Savior, I just assumed it was going to be … nicer. There would be a real bed, and, I don’t know, like: a doctor. And no sheep poop on the floor.”

Check it out: