Birth of Jesus Christ.
When Mary was already pregnant, she and Joseph had to go on a long journey, because the Roman Caesar Augustus ordered a census of the population throughout his land. Everyone had to go to the city of their ancestors. Joseph and Mary were from the house and lineage of King David. David's hometown was Bethlehem. King David ruled Israel a thousand years before Jesus was born. So Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem, the city of their ancestor David. From Nazareth to Bethlehem, more than two hundred kilometers. At that time there were no trains or cars, and such a journey lasted several days. Nazareth is in the north of Israel, in Galilee, and Bethlehem is in the south, in Judea. Going from Galilee to Judea, it was necessary to pass through Samaria. And Samaria and Judea are mountainous areas. When Joseph and Mary finally arrived in Bethlehem, there were no rooms in the hotel. Many came to Bethlehem for the census. The time has come for Mary to give birth. “... and she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger,” we read in the Gospel. This means that they were housed in a cattle pen. According to ancient legend, this stable was located in a cave. In those parts, even today, shepherds use such caves for their sheep. LUKE 2:1 - 7
Mary and Joseph went to the census in Bethlehem, and there Jesus Christ was born to them
The country in which Joseph and Mary lived was ruled by King Herod the Great, but he was subordinate to the ruler of the Roman Empire. It was then a very influential state.
And so the Roman emperor named Octavian Augustus made a decree on a population census. This was in 7 BC.
The Roman Emperor Octavian Augustus ordered everyone to return to their hometowns for the census.
Each person had to appear in the city where he came from. For Joseph, such a city is Bethlehem. This is a small but very ancient city: today it is almost 2.5 thousand years old.
Joseph took his pregnant wife and went with her to the census in Bethlehem. This is how it is described in the Bible:
“In those days a command came from Caesar Augustus to make a census of the whole earth.
This census was the first during the reign of Quirinius in Syria.
And everyone went to sign up, each to his own city. Joseph also went from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family of David, to enroll with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.”
(Luke 2:1–5)
Mary and Joseph were unable to stay at the inn in Bethlehem because there was no room there. Probably everything was occupied by other people who were also in a hurry to get the census.
Where exactly Joseph and Mary stayed is not directly stated in the Bible. But even the first Christians began to believe that this happened in a cave. They were often used as a stable, so it was warm inside and you could sleep on soft hay.
There is even a cave where Jesus Christ is believed to have been born. There is a Christian shrine there. The place of birth is marked with a silver star in the floor.
It is generally accepted that Jesus Christ was born in this cave 2 thousand years ago.
The Holy Scriptures do not tell not only the date, but also the year of the birth of Christ. In the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to celebrate this event on January 7th.
January 7 is the date when Orthodox Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ
Angels announce the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds.
At that time, there were pastures around the town of Bethlehem. On the night Jesus was born, some of the shepherds lay awake watching over their flock. “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord fell upon them; and they were afraid with great fear. And the Angel said to them: (Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people: for today a Savior has been born to you in the city of David, who is Christ the Lord; and this is a sign for you: you will find a Child wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly with the angel a large army of heaven appeared, praising God and crying: (Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.) As you can see, for the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, God chose not a palace, but a cave. And he was the first to announce His birth not to the rich, but to simple shepherds, who were the first to come to worship the Savior of mankind.LUKE 2:9 - 14
MAGAZINE Preschooler.RF
In the village of Svyatogorye, on the edge of the village, under the mountain, lived grandmother Vera and grandfather Misha. They lived peacefully, amicably, did not complain about their health, although they were a bit old, and one and the other were already over ninety. And the Lord gave them neither children, nor grandchildren, nor relatives. The old people lived their lives without relatives and did not really feel it, since there was not a day when someone from the village did not come. They bring bread and milk. Some candy for Baba Vera, some a shirt for Grandfather Misha. And all because the old people lived their lives in this village, and there was no family that the grandfather and grandmother did not help: some with advice, some with business, some with money, some with food. In each hut the old people were guests of honor. Years have passed. Old people no longer visit anyone; they sit on a bench near the hut, basking in the sun. Baba Vera tells Grandfather Misha all sorts of stories, fairy tales, parables, and Grandfather sits, nods, smiles, and either pretends to believe or actually believes. The grandfather sits, smiles, looks at his grandmother, and his eyes are blue, like the sky. And at this time, two sisters, two friends Valechka and Olechka are walking through the village. They walk and talk quietly. One is slightly older than the other. They go to Grandma Vera and Grandpa Misha to tell them that tomorrow their father, Ivan Petrovich, will pick up the old people and take them by car to the church to dedicate Easter cakes, listen to a prayer service, pray, take communion, light candles for health, light thanksgiving candles, see people, themselves show. Sisters and girlfriends were walking and suddenly a man stood in front of them. He was slender, tall, handsome, with a beautiful beard and mustache. He was dressed in beautiful clothes, and there was a shine above his head, like the sun. There are sparkles in the eyes, the eyes are so beautiful, beautiful, so dark, and warmth flows from them and warms the girls. The man smiles and says: “I know your name, I know where you are going. That's right, girls, you are doing good things. I bless you for good deeds, happiness, love, success.” The man put one hand on Valechka’s head and the other hand on Olechka’s head. It was as if a current passed through the girls at the hands of this man. The bells rang, and his words sounded like music and everything around became pinkish - bluish - lilac. It was so beautiful, so extraordinary that the girls closed their eyes with happiness, and when the girls opened their eyes, the man was no longer near them and everything around was the usual gray-green, but the music inside them was still sounding. The girls looked at each other. “Did you see?” one girl asks the other. “Yes,” answered the other girl. What, or rather, who was it? There was no one nearby, only the grass was crushed where the man stood. The girls - sisters - came to their grandparents and brought gifts, pies, pies, Easter cakes, colored eggs, various sausages. Grandfather and grandmother are glad to receive such gifts. Tomorrow I have something to go to the temple with. Happiness is what it is. We arrived early in the morning at the temple, and there were apparently and invisibly people there. Everyone is festively dressed, cheerful, everyone has come to bless the Easter cakes. Baba Vera and grandfather Misha redid all the planned things, and dedicated Easter cakes, and lit candles for health, and thanked our Lord Jesus Christ for life, for health, for happiness and much more. And the girls saw an icon depicting Jesus Christ and whispered to their mother: “Mom, mom, this is the uncle who talked to us.” “Yes, girls, this is our Lord Jesus Christ. Today is Easter, a big, beautiful, bright holiday, Christ has risen, therefore, when greeting each other today, they say: “Christ is risen,” and in response they should answer you: “Truly he is risen.”| Next > |
Shepherds for Jesus.
We can imagine how frightened the shepherds were when they saw the angels, and how surprised they were when they heard about the birth of the Savior, the Lord Christ. Therefore, it is clear that they left their flock and went to Bethlehem, as it is written about in the Gospel: “When the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other: (Let us go to Bethlehem and see what happened there, which he told us about Lord (. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the Child lying in a manger. When they saw it, they told about what had been told them about this Child. And all who heard were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary kept everything " These words he wrote in his heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. " LUKE 2:15 - 20
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The Star of Bethlehem led the Magi to the baby Christ
The news of the birth of the Savior reached not only the shepherds, but also some wise men living in the East. They probably mean priests from Persia or Media. At least, this is what the text of the Bible hints at.
The Magi were led to the birthplace of Jesus Christ by a strange phenomenon in the sky - something that looked like a very bright star.
What it was is a lot of debate today. Some people think it's a comet. Others say that it is a conjunction of two planets: Jupiter and Saturn. There are also those who believe that the Star of Bethlehem has nothing to do with astronomy.
There is still no consensus on what the Star of Bethlehem was: a comet, a planet or something else
The glow in the sky attracted the Magi. They knew the prophecies about the coming of the king of Judah. For example, the prophet Balaam warned about the star:
“I see Him, but now I am not yet; I see Him, but not close. A star rises out of Jacob, and a rod rises out of Israel, and smites the princes of Moab, and crushes all the sons of Seth.”
(Num. 24:17)
However, the wise men understood the expression “king of the Jews” in their own way - and went to King Herod the Great. They expected him to have an heir.
“When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and said, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” for we saw His star in the east and came to worship Him.”
(Matt. 2:1-2)
The king assured the guests that they had come in vain. And then they hit the road again. This time, the Star of Bethlehem led the Magi to the newborn baby Jesus.
The Magi who followed the Star to see Jesus. They are often depicted on camels - this emphasizes the long journey made by travelers
The travelers brought him 3 gifts:
- Gold is a symbol of royal greatness.
- Frankincense is a symbol that Christ will be a teacher of people.
- Myrrh (fragrant oil) is a symbol of the sacrifice that the Mission will make.
Due to the fact that there are three gifts, the Magi are often depicted as three people. But the Bible says nothing about their number. Often on icons the shepherds are confused with the wise men, or only one of the groups of people is left.
Birth of John the Baptist
The time came, and old Elizabeth gave birth to a son. All her friends and relatives rejoiced with her at this mercy of the Lord.
On the eighth day from birth, Jewish custom prescribed to perform a sacred rite over the boy and give him a name. The relatives gathered in the house and the priest wanted to name the baby in honor of his father Zacharias. But Elizabeth did not agree. She said that the child should be named John. Everyone was surprised and began to tell her that neither she nor her husband had anyone with that name in their family. Elizabeth stood her ground.
Then everyone went to the mute Zechariah to ask him. He asked with signs to give him a wax tablet on which they usually wrote, and inscribed the name on it - John. At that moment, the muteness left him and he was able to speak. From such an obvious miracle, all the guests were confused.
Zechariah, having regained the gift of speech, began to prophesy. The Holy Spirit Himself spoke through his lips:
- Blessed be the Lord God! He visited His people and gave them the salvation that He had announced through the ancient prophets. He kept the oath he made to our forefather Abraham that he would deliver us from all enemies and show us mercy. And you, Child of God, will become a prophet of the Most High. You will go ahead of the Lord and prepare His way. You will enlighten the dark and unreasonable. They will learn from you: their salvation lies in the fact that the Lord, in His mercy, forgives them all their sins...
For a long time after this day, rumors and conversations continued throughout Judea about what had happened in Zechariah’s house. People marveled and said:
– What will happen to this child next if such miracles are performed and such prophecies are uttered at his birth? Probably God is with him and the grace of the Lord is overshadowing him.
Jesus Christ was born to make our world a better place
Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ appeared on earth. He chose a modest place for his birth, a barn, and came modestly - but with an important mission. This event is very significant for humanity. During his short life, Jesus Christ gave the world a lot of necessary knowledge about a righteous life, about God, love, and the values of a good person.
The image of the newborn Jesus is very loved by humanity. He is a popular topic:
- icons;
- frescoes;
- paintings;
- New Year's cards.
And much more. By the way, it is the birth of Christ that is depicted on the most popular edition of the children's Bible in Russia.
The Nativity of Jesus Christ on the cover of a children's Bible
Jesus Christ is an example for every believer, and therefore His Nativity is one of the most beloved holidays in the world.
The Christmas holiday is lost against the backdrop of traditional New Year's greetings, Christmas trees, and gifts. However, the story of Christmas is no less important for children than for adults. We are all equal before God. The Holy Spirit illuminates the life of every person equally.
We must know that on this holiday the Savior presented us with one of the most important gifts - his love.
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