A miracle had been performed. It was so astonishing that after 400 years of silence, God sent an angel to tell someone His message twice in one year!
Zacharias had been the first to receive a message from God. The angel told him that his wife, Elisabeth, was going to have a baby boy and they were to name him John.
Then, six months later, an angel appeared to a young lady named Mary, and told her that she, too, was going to have a miracle baby.
The only problem was that Mary was engaged, but not yet married.
Matthew 1:18- Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
It was a custom in Israel that when an unmarried woman was found to be pregnant that she was put to death. But, they didn't realize that Mary hadn't sinned. She was expecting the son of God through a miracle. Joseph didn't want Mary to be killed.
Matthew 1:19-21- Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Joseph was going to quietly call off the engagement. But, while he was thinking about what to do, an angel appeared to him, also, and told him that Mary wasn't committing any wickedness! She had been chosen by God to bring forth the Messiah.
Joseph was told that he should go ahead and make Mary his wife, and when the baby was born his name would be Jesus.
Matthew 1:24-25- Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
Joseph obeyed the angel and married his fiance, Mary. But, they didn't act like married people until after Jesus was born.
Now, remember that the Roman Empire ruled the land. Almost all of Europe, much of the Middle East, and parts of Asia and Africa were under their dominion. And, there was a world wide tax.
Luke 2:1-5- And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
For everyone to pay the tax, they had to travel to the city of the birth of the man of the house's forefathers. Since Joseph was a descendant of David, and David was from Bethlehem, that's where he went to pay his taxes.
But, the city was filled up with people who were in town to pay their taxes. Joseph and Mary couldn't find a place to stay. The hotels were filled. And, everyone who knew someone had people in their homes.
The only place open was a barn-type thing where people kept their animals.
Luke 2:6-7- And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Joseph and Mary didn't even get one night's sleep, because as soon as they got into the barn the baby came.
Baby Jesus was born in a barn, and laid down to sleep in a manger- the container where they fed the animals. You might think that this was terrible, but it was God sending a sign to the Jews. The Messiah was born like a lamb- but this lamb's sacrifice would take away the sin of the world!
God wanted to tell the world about His Son's birth! But, everyone was in bed. So, he sent messenger angels to the shepherds who were awake in the fields.
Luke 2:8-12- And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Can you imagine? All of the shepherds lying about in the fields, perhaps looking at the stars. Then a light appeared out of no where. And, an angel was there talking with them telling them the Messiah had come.
They were very afraid at this sight! But, then it got even more magnificent! The sky filled up with shining angels and their voices rang out a lovely song that had never been heard before!
Luke 2:13-14- And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
The Shepherds listened in amazement! And when the angels disappeared, they scrambled to find the baby of which they sang.
Luke 2:15-18- And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Once the shepherds found Jesus, they told everyone they could find about the baby Messiah!
Mary kept the memory of these things in her heart. She probably thought back on it often when Jesus said or did things that she wasn't expecting.
Luke 2:19-20- But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luke 2:21- And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
Once, Joseph had paid their taxes, he and Mary left for Jerusalem. They needed to present Jesus at the temple for the Jewish ceremony after birth.
Luke 2:22-24- And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;) And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Jesus came to fulfill the law. It all started with his parents bringing him to the temple and offering the appropriate sacrifice.
But, the awesome events of Jesus' birth weren't over!
Luke 2:25-30- And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
A man came to the temple who had been led by God. He had been promised that he would see the Messiah before he died. We think that he was an old man, but the bible doesn't say that. He could've been a young man.
He began to praise the Lord when he saw baby Jesus. He took the baby in his arms and told God that he was ready to die now that he had seen the Messiah!
Luke 2:33-35- And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Simeon gave Jesus back to Mary, and told her that her baby would change everything! But, her heart would be broken for that to happen.
Perhaps Mary didn't understand what that meant. But, she would have to ponder it later, for another awe inspiring thing happened!
Luke 2:36-38- And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
An old woman came into the temple. Her husband had died after only seven years of being married. After his death, she came to the temple and lived the rest of her life in service to God.
When she heard Simeon's proclamation, she too began to praise the Lord for the birth of the Messiah!
Such an eventful time! Joseph and Mary were probably glad to get back to their normal lives.
They returned to Bethlehem, and got themselves a house. They settled into their new lives as parents in their new town. But, things weren't going to settle down for long.
