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1. . . . Infancy

Ch 2:1-52

2:1 Now it happened at that time that a decree from Caesar Augustus was issued that everyone in the known world was to be registered. This registration was first ordered when Cyrenius governed Syria. And so everyone went to be registered, each man to his original city. So Joseph also went from a city in Galilee called Nazareth to a city of David in Judea. This was called Bethlehem. He went there because he was of the house and family of David. He took Mary who had been betrothed to him. She was pregnant. And it happened that while they were there her time of pregnancy was completed and she was to give birth. She bore her son who was the firstborn. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. There were shepherds there in the same countryside. They were in the fields keeping guard over their flock during the night. Suddenly an angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were very afraid. The angel said to them. "Do not be afraid. I am announcing to you something which will be a great joy to all people because to-day a Saviour has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord in a city of David. This is a sign for you. You will find a baby

who had been wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Then suddenly there was with the angel a big army of heavenly beings praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest places and on earth peace amongst people of good will." When the angels went away from them into heaven the shepherds said to one another. "Let us go then to Bethlehem and let us see this thing that has happened and which the Lord has made known to us." So they came quickly and found both Mary and Joseph with the baby lying in the manger. On seeing this they told others about what had been spoken to them about this child. Everyone on hearing about it marvelled. But Mary kept all these things in her heart pondering on them. The shepherds returned (to the fields) glorifying and praising God about all the things which had been spoken to them and which they had heard and saw. When eight days were completed and it was time to circumcise him (the child) he was called Jesus. This was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. When, as was the custom according to the law of Moses, the days of their cleansing were completed, they took him (the

child) up to Jerusalem to present to the Lord. It has been written in the law of the Lord that every male opening a womb will be called holy to the Lord. Therefore a sacrifice according to the law is required. This is a pair of turtledoves or two nestlings of doves. Now behold there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. He was a just and devout man who was waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been communicated to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he should see the Christ of the Lord. So he came by the Spirit into the temple when the parents of the child Jesus brought him in according to the custom of the law. He (Simeon) received him in his arms and blessed God and said. "Now you can release this servant of yours Master, according to your will. My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for the face of all the people. This is a light of revelation for the nations and a glory of the people of Israel." The father (of the child) and his mother were marvelling at the things being said concerning him. Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother. "Behold this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel and will be a sign that is spoken against. And as for yourself a sword will pierce through your soul so that the hearts and thoughts of many may be revealed."

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Note how Simeon tells Mary and Joseph that Jesus will be a light 'for the nations' . 'The nations' were understood by the Jews as meaning the Gentiles. So Mary knew through the childhood of Jesus that ultimately his message would reach beyond Judaism to the whole world. As mentioned before, even so, this would entail a lot of grief for her. Also, why did Mary and Joseph have such trouble finding 12 year-old Jesus? Was he in study areas where visitors did not frequent? How did he get there? Was it with the help of a young, new-found friend with priestly contacts?

As well, there was Anna a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years, having lived with a husband for seven years from girlhood and now she had been a widow until eighty-four years old. She did not withdraw from the temple but with fastings and petitionings she served there day and night. At the very hour when they (Jesus and his parents) were there she came upon them and gave thanks to God. She then spoke about (the child) to all those who were expecting redemption in Jerusalem. When they (the parents of Jesus) had finished everything according to the law of the Lord they returned to Galilee to their own city of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong. He was filled

with wisdom and the grace of God was upon him. Now every year his parents used to go up to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he became twelve years of age he also went up with him according to the custom of the feast. On completing the days there and when they were returning, Jesus the boy stayed on in Jerusalem. But his parents did not know he did this. They supposed that he was in the company of the people they went with. They had completed a day's journey and sought him amongst their relatives and acquaintances. But when they did not find him they returned to Jerusalem looking for him. It happened that after three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting in the midst of the

teachers, both hearing them and asking them questions. All those hearing him were astonished at his intelligence and his answers. On seeing this, his parents were amazed. His mother said to him. "Child why did you do this to us? Look, your father and I have been greatly upset looking for you." (But) He said to them "Why did you search for me? Did you not know that I should be about my Father's business." They did not understand the words he was saying to them. He then went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. His mother carefully kept all these matters in her heart. Meanwhile Jesus grew in wisdom and age and favour before God and people