![]() Since this was the time of the census, the city of Bethlehem would be brimming with out-of-towners. This fulfilled the prophecy of His birth found in Micah 5:2. Thus, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, even though his parents’ home was in Nazareth. The census was taken in order to assess the population for tax purposes. Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth, but were required by the Roman government to make the trip to Bethlehem in order to register in the census. Birth of Jesus in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7)Ĭaesar Augustus called for a census to be taken of all those dwelling in his realm. Believing the Word from God, Joseph took Mary as his wife. Even the name God gave Jesus testified to His mission in life. The name ‘Jesus’ is the Greek form of a Hebrew word meaning “Jehovah will save”. Once again, the angel included in its message that the baby’s name was to be “…Jesus, for he will save his people form their sins” (1:21 ESV). ![]() In Matthew 1:18-25, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream reassuring him that Mary’s pregnancy was a gift from God and that Joseph should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. However, apparently, Joseph was a better man and decided to divorce Mary quietly. Still Joseph could have made a public spectacle of Mary, disgrace her publicly in order to preserve his pride. People would think that Mary had been unfaithful to her spouse already. ![]() He believed he was marrying a virgin, and now he discovers that she is pregnant. Joseph was probably very confused about the situation. When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he decided that he should divorce her without any publicity. In their culture, when a man and woman were engaged it was very much as if they were married, only without sexual relations. Most believe that place was a stable, because the Bible says the baby Jesus was placed in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals, at His birth.Īt this time, Joseph and Mary were engaged to be married. Angel visits Joseph in a dream (Matthew 1:18-25) Mary and the angel ended their conversation with Mary humbling herself to the will of God. Gabriel assured Mary these things would surely take place because, “…nothing will be impossible with God”(1:37 ESV). He will be called Holy-the Son of God (1:35).there will be no end to His kingdom (1:33). ![]() God will give Him the throne of David (1:32).He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High (1:32).The angel told Mary a few things about her soon-to-be-son: However, His conception was a one-time event that was unique in all of history. Believers rightly celebrate Jesus’ birth, but it was actually a normal birth if being born in a stable can be called normal, that is. Gabriel explained to her that she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary was initially frightened until Gabriel told her that she had found favor with God. This must have been quite unnerving for Mary, a visit from a heavenly being telling her that she, a virgin, has been chosen to give birth to the Savior of the world. Luke 1:26-38 tells us the story of the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1-3, 14 ESV, cf. First, we must remember that Jesus existed prior to His incarnation, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The clear record of the Bible tells us that Jesus is God in human form. Jesus’ coming in flesh as a man is called the ‘incarnation’, a word that means ‘in the flesh’. It is the most important birth there ever was or ever will be. However, one birth stands far above the rest. The births of those who grew up to be preachers and missionaries have blessed those to whom they have ministered. Great humanitarians who, through their tireless efforts, have eased the pain of many and helped them live productive lives. There have been researchers who have discovered treatments and cures for diseases and ailments. Consider the births of the scientists who have given us things that make life easier. There have been many important births since the dawn of humanity.
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