THE BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD OF JESUS

His Birth
Jesus was born in the small town of Bethlehem about five miles (8 km) south of Jerusalem between 6 BC and 4 BC. Note: the Gregorian calendar (with BC indicating before Christ, i.e. before the birth of Christ, and AD indicating anno Domini, i.e. in the year of our Lord) was begun with an inaccurate date for Christ’s birth.

His Parents
Mary's genealogy is traced in Luke 3:23-38 to Nathan and his father King David ... then back to Judah, Shem, Noah, Seth, Adam, and God. Mary conceived of the Holy Spirit (not of Joseph) and remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus.

Joseph, the carpenter, although not the physical father of Jesus, was his legal earthly father. Joseph's genealogy is traced in Matthew 1:1-17 to Solomon and Solomon's father King David, to Judah, and to Abraham.

Born in Bethlehem
Joseph and Mary traveled south about 70 miles (110 km) to Bethlehem from Nazareth in Galilee ... to be counted in a census. While there, Jesus was born. His first bed was a feeding trough (manger). His birth was announced by angels to the shepherds. At His dedication at the temple in Jerusalem (at least 40 days after His birth), Simeon and Anna recognized the infant as God's Messiah.

The Magi and Herod
After Jesus was born, an undisclosed number of magi from the East followed a star to Jerusalem to find the one born King of the Jews. They found Him and Mary in a house in Bethlehem and worshipped Him. Herod attempted to destroy Jesus by killing all male children up to two years old in and around Bethlehem.

To Egypt
An angel had warned Joseph to take his family and flee to Egypt, and they stayed there until an angel told them it was safe to return.

In Galilee
The family returned to live in Nazareth. Jesus grew up there making annual trips at the Passover to Jerusalem (about 65 miles or 100 km south). At 12 years of age, Jesus astonished the temple teachers with His understanding and answers. At that time Jesus referred to the temple as "My Father's house." Jesus lived with His brothers (James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas) and his sisters in Nazareth, Matthew 13:55-56.

Public Ministry
At about 30 years of age Jesus began His public ministry . . . announced by His relative, John the Baptist.

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THE LIFE OF CHRIST 5    PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14    
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