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When Rome was a
great Empire ruled by Caesar Augustus and Israel was governed by
King Herod, in the village of Nazareth lived Joseph and Mary.
Joseph was a carpenter and Mary was a young virgin who would
become his wife. Mary told Joseph of a dream in which she was
visited by an angel who told her she had been chosen to bear the
Son of God and his name was to be Jesus.
One day the emperor sent notice that all persons were to
register for a new tax. They were instructed to return to the
towns of their birth. Joseph and Mary left Nazareth for
Bethlehem. Mary who was with child, and close to the birth, rode
on a donkey while Joseph walked beside her. They traveled for
many days and only rested at night. |
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When they reached Bethlehem it was night. They looked for a place to
rest but there were no empty rooms when they reached the inn. As they
were being turned away Joseph mentioned his wife was with child and
close to birth. The inn keeper took pity on them and told them of some
caves in the nearby hills that shepherds would stay with their cows and
sheep.
So Joseph and Mary went up into the hills and found the caves. In one
cave was a stable room. Joseph cleaned it and made beds of fresh hay. He
found a feeding trough which he cleaned and filled with hay to use as a
crib. The next night Mary gave birth to a son and they named him Jesus,
as the angel had said.
When the child was born a great star appeared over Bethlehem that could
be seen for miles around. In the fields nearby shepherds were tending
their flocks. An angel appeared to them surrounded by bright light. The
shepherds were frightened and tried to run.
"Fear Not," said the angel, "For I bring you tidings of great joy. For
unto you is born this day in Bethlehem - a Saviour who is Christ the
Lord."
"And this shall be a sign unto you. You shall find the babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes and lying in a manger."
Suddenly the sky was filled with angels, praising God and saying, "Glory
to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men."
After the angels departed the shepherds set out for Bethlehem. When they
reached the cave they found the stable and inside was the child wrapped
in swaddling clothes.
As the star shined over Bethlehem, in the east three kings would see it.
They knew it was a sign and they set off to follow the star. There was
Caspar - the young King of Tarsus, Melchior - a long bearded old man and
leader of Arabia, and Balthazar - the king from Ethiopia. They traveled
on camels for many days over the mountains, and through the deserts, and
plains. Always following the bright star.
When they finally arrived in Bethlehem they found the child in the
manger. The 3 kings bowed to their knees and offered gifts of gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. They would stay the night in the cave and the
next day returned to their lands to spread the news. |
