THE NATIVITY
"IT BEGAN WITH A FAMILY"
"IT BEGAN WITH A FAMILY"
The Nativity story begins with an angelic announcement within the Temple's Holy Place to a priest who, on behalf of his nation, had been praying for that very event. It ends with the announcement of Herod's evil design upon the Christ child's life. Within the story, we see the heavens opened to priest and layman, to man and woman, to old and young, to the mighty and the humble. The story of a family, father, mother, and a child who would grow up to be the Savior of all mankind.
We see each called to be an important witness to this, the most beautiful of stories ever told. GABRIEL, the first New Testament witness of the birth of Christ, appeared to ZACHARIAS, a faithful priest of the Aaronic order. ELIZABETH, wife of Zachariah, her name meaning "consecrated of God", promised a child, who would be the forerunner of the Messiah. That promised child, JOHN, was filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. He was an heir, just as Christ, to David's kingdom. MARY, "highly favored", was the perfect mortal witness of Christ's divine sonship. She was "blessed ... among women" to have witnessed miracles and to have given birth to the Savior. JOSEPH dreamed dreams and received instruction from angels, and was faithful in keeping the Law of Moses. All Joseph's actions as Christ's earthly father witnessed anew Joseph's conviction regarding the child, hope of Israel, the Son of God.
Other witnesses included THE SHEPHERDS, HEAVENLY CHOIRS, and SIMEON, as his declaration reached far beyond the understanding and hope of those of his nation, for he saw the universal nature of Christ's ministry. He bore witness that Jesus was Savior to Jew and Gentile alike. ANNA bore her testimony along with Simeon, of the divine Messiah in Jerusalem. The WISE MEN FROM THE EAST, following the star, came seeking "the Messiah of the Jews", just as we today seek the Son of God. And finally, HEROD, who completes the Nativity story, believed the wisdom and testimony of the Eastern visitors, and opposed the Kingdom of God, ushering in the power of Satan.
Twelve witnesses to the Nativity: their collective testimony constitutes a powerful witness of Christ's birth. Every element appears in its proper place.
_________________________________
Read the Nativity story in the New Testament:
Study the life and teachings of Jesus Christ
