Home > Holidays > Christmas
Jesus' Birth and Early Life
FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS, God's people were ruled by different foreign powers until eventually they became part of the Roman Empire. Some people remembered the prophets' message:
that God would send his Savior into the world. They hoped for a soldier-king who would deliver them from the Romans. But when God's Savior, Jesus, was born around 2,000 years ago, he came with a message of peace. He spoke of God's love for all people, of the forgiveness of sins, and of a new way of life for his followers.
THE ANGEL'S MESSAGE
One day, the angel Gabriel came to Mary, who was engaged to be married to
a carpenter called Joseph, "Don't be afraid!" said the angel. "God has chosen
you to be the mother of his Son. Call the baby Jesus, which means 'savior.'"
Mary was amazed but she said, "I will do whatever God wants."
MARY VISITS ELIZABETH
The angel told Mary that her cousin Elizabeth was also expecting a baby,
so Mary went to visit her. Before Mary spoke, Elizabeth knew her news. "God has blessed you in a special way!" she cried.
THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM
Some time later, the Roman governor Caesar Augustus ordered a census. Everyone had to go to their family town to be counted, so Mary traveled with Joseph to Bethlehem. It was a long journey along dusty roads. Mary was due to have her baby very soon, but Bethlehem was so overcrowded with visitors that all the inns in the town were already full. It was late, and the only place Mary and Joseph could find to stay was in a stable.
THE SHEPHERDS' CALL
That night, shepherds were looking after their sheep on the hills when suddenly an angel appeared. The shepherds were terrified, but the angel said, "I bring good news. God's Savior has been born tonight. You will find the baby lying in a manger." Then the sky filled with angels saying, "Glory to God!"
THE BABY IN THE MANGER
Mary's baby was born that night in the stable. Mary and Joseph named him Jesus. There was no cradle for him, so they wrapped him in strips of cloth and he slept in a manger. Soon the shepherds arrived to see the baby and discovered that what the angel had told them was true! The shepherds told Mary and Joseph about the angel's message, and how a choir of angels had sung praises to God. Then they returned to the fields, thanking God for all the wonderful things they had heard and seen. Mary thought about the shepherds' story, and how she had been chosen to be the mother of God's Savior. She knew this was a very special baby.
THE JOURNEY OF THE WISE MEN
Far away in another country, some wise men saw a new star, a sign that a
king had been born. They left their land and followed the star until they
found Jesus in a house in Bethlehem. There they worshipped the baby king
and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
VISIT TO THE TEMPLE
When Jesus was twelve, his parents took him to Jerusalem. On the way home,
they realized he was missing. They found him in the temple, talking to teachers,
who were amazed by this knowledge.
JOHN BAPTIZES JESUS
John baptized people in the Jordan River as a sign that they had turned away
from their sins. He was surprised when Jesus came to be baptized, as he had done no wrong. But God said, "This is my Son!"
TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL
God's enemy, Satan, came to test Jesus, to see if he would disobey God and
use the power God had given him selfishly. Three times the devil tempted Jesus; three times Jesus resisted.
THE FIRST DISCIPLES
One day, as Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw Peter and Andrew fishing, "Follow me," said Jesus, "and you will catch people for God." Immediately, they left their fishing nets to follow Jesus. They were joined by two other fishermen, James and John. These four men became Jesus' first followers.
JESUS' FIRST MIRACLE AT CANA
Mary, Jesus' mother, was invited to a wedding in Cana with Jesus and his
disciples. During the party, the wine ran out and Mary turned to Jesus for help. Jesus said to the servants, "Fill those big pots with water." When the servants poured from the pots, the water had changed into the finest wine.
 |
NOTE: For your convenience, the following product, which is mentioned above, is available for purchase from the ChristianityToday.com Shopping Channel:
• The Bible: The Really Interesting Bits!, by Brian Delf
|
Copyright © 1999. Published by Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois. Excerpted from The Bible The Really Interesting Bits! Used by permission.
| |
|
