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Story of Jesus 1
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In the little town of Nazareth, nestled among the hills of Galilee, was
the home of Joseph and Mary, who were afterward known as the earthly parents of
Jesus.
Now Joseph was of the lineage, or family, of David; and so, when a decree
was sent out for the people to be taxed, he had to go to Bethlehem, the city of
David, to have his name enrolled. This was a toilsome journey, as people
traveled in those times. Mary, who went with her husband, was very weary as she
climbed the hill on which Bethlehem stands.
How she longed for a comfortable place in which to rest! But the inns
were already full. The rich and proud were well cared for, while these humble
travelers had to find rest in a rude building where cattle were sheltered.
Joseph and Mary possessed little of earth's riches, but they had the love
of God, and this made them rich in contentment and peace. They were children of
the heavenly King, who was about to give them a wonderful honor.
Angels had been watching them while they were on their journey, and when
night came on, and they went to rest, they were not left alone. Angels were
still with them.
There, in that lowly shed, Jesus the Saviour was born and laid in a
manger. In that rude cradle lay the Son of the Highest--He whose presence had
filled the courts of Heaven with glory.
Before He came to the earth, Jesus was the Commander of the angel hosts.
The brightest and most exalted of the sons of the morning heralded His glory at
the creation. They veiled their faces before Him as He sat upon His throne. They
cast their crowns at His feet, and sang His triumphs as they beheld His
greatness.
Yet this glorious Being loved the poor sinner, and took upon Him the form
of a servant, that He might suffer and die for us.
Jesus might have remained at the Father's side, wearing the kingly crown
and the royal robe; but for our sake He chose to exchange the riches of Heaven
for the poverty of earth.
He chose to leave His station of high command, to leave the angels who
loved Him. The adoration of the heavenly throng He chose to exchange for mockery
and abuse by wicked men. From love to us, He accepted a life of hardship and a
death of shame.
All this Christ did to show how much God loves us. He lived on earth to
show how we may honor God by obedience to His will. He did this so that by
following His example we may at last dwell with Him in His heavenly home.
The priests and rulers among the Jews were not ready to welcome Jesus.
They knew that the Saviour was soon to come, but they expected Him to be a
mighty king who would make them rich and great. They were too proud to think of
the Messiah as being a helpless child.
So when Christ was born, God did not reveal it to them. He sent the glad
news to some shepherds who kept their flocks on the hills around Bethlehem.
These were good men, and as they watched their sheep by night, they
talked together about the promised Saviour, and prayed so earnestly for His
coming that God sent bright messengers from His own throne of light to teach
them.
"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.
"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.
"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. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." Luke 2:9-19. |
