Matthew 1:18-2:23 | Luke 2

Here are the stories of the Lord’s birth in Bethlehem.  When it was learned that Mary was pregnant, an angel appeared to Joseph, telling him that the baby was conceived of the Holy Spirit, and gave him instructions to not put Mary away, and to name the child Jesus.  The name Jesus is the same as Joshua in Hebrew, and it means “Jahweh is Salvation”.  Joseph and Mary lived in Nazareth (in Galilee), but were forced to travel to Bethlehem as she was preparing to deliver Jesus, because of a census that required everyone to register in their ancestral cities.  The announcement of Jesus’ birth was made by shepherds and angels, and wisemen from the east (Persia) came and worshipped Him in Bethlehem.  King Herod attempted to kill Jesus, but the Lord told Joseph to take Him to Egypt until the king died.  After Herod’s death, they returned from Egypt, and then went to live again in Nazareth, where Jesus was raised.  At 12 years of age Jesus went with Joseph and Mary to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, and even then His wisdom astounded the temple priests, and He knew His mission to serve His heavenly father in life and death.