Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Jesus was born, His birth was made known according to the will of God.
God chose to send an angel to tell shepherds who were watching their
flocks. After hearing what the angel announced, they found Mary,
Joseph, and the child as the angel had told them. And they made known
abroad what they had been told ....
Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in
the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel
of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about
them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear
not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be
to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly
host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away
from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go
even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the
Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found
Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had
seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those
things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these
things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and
seen, as it was told unto them.
Wise men from the east came to worship the King of the Jews, having seen His star. When they came
to Jerusalem, this was told to Herod who
inquired more of them and of the chief priests and scribes. When the star went before the wise men to where Jesus was, they worshiped Him and gave gifts. God warned the wise men in a dream to not return to Herod and they were
obedient to this instruction, not reporting back to Herod.
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the
days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to
Jerusalem, 2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we
have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 3 When
Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all
Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and
scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should
be born. 5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it
is written by the prophet, 6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,
art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a
Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 7 Then Herod, when he had
privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the
star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search
diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me
word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo,
the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and
stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they
rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the
house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and
worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they
presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And
being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod,
they departed into their own country another way.
When Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple according to the law, the
Holy Spirit led Simeon to go to the temple. The Holy Spirit had
previously revealed to Simeon that he would see the Lord's Christ before
he died. When Simeon saw Jesus, he spoke to those there about Jesus,
including that He was a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel
...
Luke 2:25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name
was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the
consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was
revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death,
before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into
the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for
him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest
thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine
eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the
face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of
thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those
things which were spoken of him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said
unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising
again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;
35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
A prophetess named Anna was also in the temple and saw Jesus. She spoke of Jesus to all that looked for redemption ...
Luke 2:36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of
Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived
with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow
of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And she
coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of
him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
God announced the birth of Jesus as He willed.
Those He revealed this to, in turn, spoke of what they had witnessed as
led by God. The birth of Jesus was not made known according to the ways
and wisdom of man, but according to the will and power of God.
While thinking about this, it reminded me of how God speaks to us
through the Holy Spirit as He wills, and we share what we have heard of
God with others as led by the Holy Spirit. All done according to the
will of God.