HOME

The Birth of Jesus

An excerpt from the book "Come Follow Me" by Rev. E.P. Kauffeld.
In Come Follow Me, the Bible is broken down into 365 Bible stories, one for every day of the year.

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 line of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. While they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered, and she bought 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.

There were in the same country shepherds in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were very afraid. 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 Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." 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." When the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us go to Bethlehem, and see what has come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. They hurried and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. When they had seen it, they told everyone, and all who heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. Mary kept all these things, and thought about them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and see, as it was told unto them.

Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day and named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. On the 40th day, the time of their presentation according to the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord"), and to offer a sacrifice, a pair of doves of two young pigeons." Simeon, who had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ, was moved by the Spirit to enter the temple court. When he saw Jesus, he took him in his arms and praised God, saying, "Lord, now let your servant depart in peace, according to your word: For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel." Simeon said to Mary, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too." Anna, a prophetess and widow of 84 years who never left the temple but worshiped night and day, came up to them, gave thanks to God, and spoke about the child.

Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!