ICE! Nativity

Birth of Jesus - Luke 2

Luke 2:1-40

1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 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:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 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.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 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.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

15 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.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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.

22 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;

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

24 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.

25 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.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 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,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

34 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;

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

36 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;

37 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.

38 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.

39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Birth of Jesus in Matthew 1

Matthew 1:18-25

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.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 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.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.

King James Version (KJV)

Mary

   

   Long ago, in the city of Nazareth, there resided a woman who was espoused to a carpenter. 

Little is known of this couple until the Angel Gabriel visits Mary one day.

“Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” Of course Mary was troubled, yet she was not troubled by his appearance but by his proclaimation. She cast in her mind what could he mean by such a salutation? She, highly favoured? The Lord was with her? Was she really blessed among women?

  While she is thinking Gabriel continues, “Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Mary hears all that the angel says, she would have a son, His name would be Jesus, and He would have a throne, a kingdom with no end?

     

    As all of this information flys through her mind she must ask a question. There are so many she could ask. Yet when the words come from her lips she questions Gabriel on, “How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?”

     Gabriel answers, “The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” And as if that were not enough, he tells her, “And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

    Mary heard these words, words that were so unfathomable to a woman from a little city, and to her of all people. What would she say, what could she say? “Behold, the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” And the angel departed from her.

  It is interesting to read Luke 1:26-38 and see what Mary said. She only speaks twice, once to ask a question and then to express agreement with what God said. She does not why me? What will people think and say about me? What about my reputation? What will Joseph say? Nor does she does not make excuses. Rather she says “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” If God wanted to use her, she was willing. She probably had no idea the insults that would be hurled her way. In John 8:41, the Pharisses tossed it in Jesus face, “We be not born of fornication.” Neither was He, yet men’s minds have trouble wrapping themselves around the birth of a child by a virgin. The prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 was lost to them, “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

   Mary is not to be worshipped, yet she should be admired for trusting what God said.

     If we read on in the chapter, verses 46-55, contain Mary’s praise of God.

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.”

Side note.......

I can think of only 3 women and 1 group of women that were spoken to by an angel.

Hagar – Genesis 16

Manoah’s wife – Judges 13

Mary – Luke 1

The women at the tomb – Matthew 28

In the Beginning was the WORD

   In the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us. 

Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, 

yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; 

whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 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. 

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, 

and not willing to make her a public 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. 

Neither is there salvation in any other: 

for there is none other name under heaven given among men, 

whereby we must be saved.

    Now all this was done, 

that it might be fulfilled 

which was spoken of the Lord 

by the prophet, saying, 

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, 

and shall bring forth a son, 

and they shall call his name Emmanuel, 

which being interpreted is, God with us. 

For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him 

should not perish but have everlasting life.

    For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; 

but that the world through him might be saved. 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; 

and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Not of works lest any man should boast. 

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 

If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, 

and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, 

thou shalt be saved. 

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; 

and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Bible verses used

John 1:1

John 1:14a

Micah 5:2

Matthew 1:18-21

Acts 4:12

Matthew 1:22-23

John 3:16-17

Ephesians 2:8-9

Romans 10:13, 9-10