Story of the Month
The Birth of Jesus
Matthew 1:18-25 & Luke 2:1-39
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Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy soon after she got home from visiting Elizabeth. He was a righteous man and knew he was not the father. Still, he loved Mary and did not want to make public spectacle of her. No, he decided to simply break off the engagement and put her away quietly.
While he thought on these things, an angel appeared to him in a dream. He said, “Joseph, do not be afraid to make Mary your wife. The child she is carrying is from the Holy Spirit. When he is born, you are to name him Jesus. He is the Redeemer and will save people from their sins.” Joseph immediately went to Mary and made her his wife, but was not intimate with her until after the child was born.
The Old Testament said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, but Joseph and Mary lived miles to the north in Nazareth. So when it was about time for Mary to deliver her child, the Caesar of Rome decided to tax his entire empire. He required all the people to register in their hometown. Therefore Joseph and his wife had to go to Bethlehem.
When they got there, they went to an inn, which was a temporary shelter that was provided by the Romans. Unfortunately it was full. So they found a place to stay in a shepherd’s cave. That night Mary delivered her baby. Messiah was born. She wrapped him in strips of cloth, and laid him in a feeding manger.
Nearby there were shepherds tending their flock through the night. Suddenly an angel stood before them and the area was flooded with the glory of the Lord. The shepherds were terrified, but the angel said, “Don’t be frightened. I bring you great news!”
He then pointed toward the town. “Tonight, a Savior was born in Bethlehem. He is Christ the Lord. Go, and look for a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” The angel was then surrounded by a host of others who praised God, and said, “Glory to God in the highest! He gives peace to His people.”
After the angels left them, the shepherds did as they were told. They went to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, just as the angels had said. From that day on, they reported to others what they had seen and heard.
There lived a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. The Spirit of God had told him he would not die until he had seen the Promised One. He was suddenly told to go to the Temple. When he arrived he saw Mary, Joseph and the baby, who were there to sacrifice to the Lord. He asked if he could see the child. Looking into the face of Jesus, he said, “Oh, Praise be to God!” Looking up, he said, “Lord, you can now let me die. These eyes have seen Your Salvation.”
He looked at Mary. “Many will accept him with great joy. But many will reject him, and this will be like a sword running through your heart.” He then blessed the child and handed him back to his mother, who stood there in amazement.
Suddenly, Anna walked up to them. She was an eighty-four year old woman who had served God in the Temple ever since her husband died after seven years of marriage. She also asked to see the child. Afterwards she talked about him to everyone she met. “The Promised One has arrived! The Redeemer is here.”
After this, Joseph took his little family back to their home in Bethlehem.
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