Luke 2:1-20. Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem, April 6, 1 BC[1]
Joseph and Mary did not live in Bethlehem at the time of
Christ’s Birth. Rather, they lived in. But obedient to the dictum of prophecy,
circumstances transpired that brought them to Bethlehem for the birth of
Christ. (See Micah 5:2.)
After summarizing the opinions of various scholars in the
matter of Christ’s birthday, Elder James E. Talmage compares their conclusions
with modern revelation and then affirms: “we believe that Jesus Christ was born
in Bethlehem of Judea, April 6, B.C. 1.” (Jesus
the Christ, p. 104.) Of this President Harold B. Lee declared:
“This is the annual conference of the Church. April 6, 1973,
is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the
anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the
Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. [Quoted D&C 20:1]” (CR Apr. 1973. p. 4.)
The following chart, which is based on our present calendar,
may be helpful in understanding the birthday of the Lord.
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Matthew 2:13-23. Jesus and John Escape Herod’s Wrath
The wise men familiar with the prophecies that foretold the
birth of Christ, and recognizing the signs that had been given, came into
Jerusalem 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.” (Matthew 2:1, 2.) Herod,
thinking that the promised Messiah would be a threat to his kingdom, sent
soldiers to destroy every child two years old and under in Bethlehem. But an
angel had warned Joseph and he had taken Mary and the child Jesus to Egypt.
The wise men arrived in Jerusalem when Jesus was a young
child. They were directed by Herod’s court to Bethlehem. “And when the were
come into the house [Jesus was no
longer in a stable], they saw the young
child [no longer a babe] . . . and fell down, and worshipped him.” (Matthew
2:11.) Then the wise men, because an angel warned them not to return to Herod,
departed into their own country by another way. When Herod saw that the wise
men did not return, he sent his soldiers to kill every child “two years old and
under.” (Matthew 2:7, 16.)
John the Baptist was a small child, just six months older
than Jesus, who also lived with his parents in the vicinity of Bethlehem when
Herod gave out the order to murder the babies. John escaped murder by the
selfless courage of his father, Zacharias. The prophet Joseph Smith taught:
“When Herod’s edict went forth to destroy the young
children, John was about six months older than Jesus, and came under this
hellish edict, and Zacharias caused his mother to take him into the mountains,
where he was raised on locusts and wild honey. When his father refused to
disclose his hiding placer, and being the officiating high priest at the Temple
that year, was slain by Herod’s order, between the porch and the altar, as
Jesus said,” (Teachings, p. 261.
Compare Matthew 23:35.)
Zacharias died, then, to save his son; he died a noble
martyr, perhaps the first of the Christian era.
"All Things Bear Record of Me"
George R. Sims, Associate Editor for The New Testament for Latter-day Saint Families, Bookcraft, 1998
Familiarity is not the same as understanding. Just
because we know a story, doesn't mean we fully understand it. For example,
often during the Christmas Season we read the account of the Savior's birth.
Though we have been frequently exposed to these biblical chapters, there is
still much we can glean.
Have you noticed how much of the Savior's
redemptive mission is symbolized by His miraculous birth? "To this end was
I born," said Jesus to Pilate. "And for this cause came I into the world.
That I should bear witness unto the truth" (John 18:38). President Gordon
B. Hinckley taught that we must view the birth of Christ as a witness of His
sacred mission: "We honor His birth. But without His death that birth
would have been but one more birth. It was the redemption which He worked out
in the Garden of Gethsemane and upon the cross of Calvary which made His gift
immortal, universal, and everlasting" (First Presidency Christmas
Devotional on December 8, 1996, quoted in the Church News, December 14, 1996, 4).
The Book of Mormon and the Pearl of Great
Price teach us that all things testify and bear record of the Savior (see 2
Nephi 11:4; Moses 6:63). How does the birth of Christ bear record of the
Savior's redemptive role? How many types pointing toward the Savior's life and
atonement do we find in the story of His birth recorded in Luke 2 and Matthew
2? Are the circumstances surrounding His birth recorded solely for historical
purposes or do they also bear record of His divine mission? Some answers to
these questions can be found as we compare the circumstances surrounding His
birth with the divinely given names, titles, and roles of the Son of God.
(1) "The Life" Born in the Spring
In John 14:6 Jesus declared: "I
am...the life." Later, Peter referred to Him as "the Prince of
life" (Acts 3:15). Latter-day Prophets have taught that the Savior was
born during the springtime in the Northern Hemisphere (see Harold B. Lee,
Conference Report, April 1973, 4; Spencer W. Kimball, Conference Report, April
1975, 4; see also D&C 20:1). Thus, He who provided all mankind with the
gift of resurrection and the opportunity for eternal life came to earth during
the season when nature begins to awake and send forth new life.
(2) "The Bread of Life" Born in Bethlehem
Shortly after the feeding of the five
thousand, the multitudes sought Jesus, looking again for a free meal. He
perceived their intent and instructed them that what He offered was not food
for the belly, but eternal nourishment. He identified Himself as the
"Bread of Life" (see John 6:25-51). Shortly after the birth of Jesus
Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes as to the location of the
Christ child. They answered by quoting Micah 5:2. Micah foretold that Jesus
would be born in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:3-5). "Bethlehem" means
"house of bread" (see LDS Bible
Dictionary, "Bethlehem," 621).
(3) "The Lamb of God" Born Among the Lambs
John the Baptist identified Jesus as
"the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John
1:29). Jesus spoke of Himself as "the good shepherd" who knows His
sheep (John 10:14). Several of the circumstances surrounding His birth remind
us of these specific titles. From Luke's record we learn that the baby Jesus
was "wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid...in a manger" (Luke
2:7). We can assume because of the presence of a manger that He was born among
animals, perhaps even sheep. According to Luke the first men identified as
learning of this miraculous birth were "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping
watch over their flock" (Luke 2:8).
(4) The Birth of "The Bright and Morning Star" Announced with a
New Star
The sign of Christ's birth in the Holy Land
reminds us that He is our "bright and morning star" (Revelation
22:16). Both literally and symbolically the wise men from the east followed the
star, which guided them to the young child (see Matthew 2:2, 9-11). Across the
ocean, the inhabitants of the Americas also knew of Jesus' birth by the new
star (see 3 Nephi 1:21). In addition, "at the going down of the sun there
was no darkness...in all the night, but it was as light as though it was
mid-day" (3 Nephi 1:15, 19). Surely these physical witnesses identified
the One who would teach: "I am the
light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall
have the light of life" (John 8:12).
(5) Gifts Presented to "The King"
The wise men came from the east seeking the "King of
the Jews" (Matthew 2:2). When they found and worshiped the young child,
they "opened their treasures" and "presented unto him gifts;
gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). Gold, frankincense, and
myrrh were ideal gifts for the baby Jesus. Tradition says that gold, as king of
metals, was appropriate for a king. Frankincense, an ingredient used in temple worship
and sacrifices, was ideal for a priest. Myrrh, used for preparing the dead,
symbolized Jesus' future suffering and death to atone for all mankind" (The New Testament for Latter-day Saint
Families, note for Matthew 2:11).
The comparisons between the birth of Christ
and His divine calling are many. The few we have discussed only serve as a
starting point to the motivated student of the scriptures. Other relationships
of the many worth considering include: the name of Joseph belonging both to the
one who provided for Jesus' birth place
(see Luke 2:4-5) as well as the one who provided for his burial place
(see Matthew 27:57-60); Jesus' birth, burial, and resurrection taking place at
a grotto or cave (see Harold B. Lee, "I Walked Today Where Jesus
Walked," BYU Speeches of the Year,
December 5, 1958, 5); and the announcement by angels of both His birth as well
as His resurrection.
As we study the scriptures and desire to
increase our understanding, new levels of recognition and revelation will be
given to us. Searching the accounts of the Savior's birth with His life and
mission in mind can bring additional insight. We can come to understand that,
"Nothing in the Savior's life was without supernal significance or eternal
consequence" (Elder Russell M. Nelson, "Why This Holy Land," Ensign, December 1989, p. 19).
SOME POINTS TO PONDER
·
Can you give an illustration of the joy that has
come into your life because of the Savior?
·
What gifts should you bring? How far should you
be willing to go to worship the Savior? (See Alma 22:18)
·
Who are the people that you should be telling
about the Savior in the way that the shepherds and Anna made known their own
experiences. Who in your family and neighborhood needs to hear your testimony.
Review Elder Eyring's conference talk given in October 1998.
·
How can you glorify, praise, and give thanks to
God for the gift of his Son? Mosiah 2:17,19,20,22 suggests that there are only
three things we can do to show our gratitude and praise: service, thanks, and
obedience.
·
How important was it in Simeon's life to
"see" the Savior? What lesson can you learn from the record of his
encounter with the Christ child? Look at Moses 6:26 and Alma 33:19-21.
·
Herod felt threatened by the coming of the
Savior. How are people today threatened by him and his commandments? What might
even supposedly faithful people do to avoid having to change their lives
because of him and his requirements?
·
In what ways do people today refuse "to
give room for [him]" in their lives? Are there events or circumstances in
your life when you are reluctant to make room for him, to accept his presence
or guidance? Are you making sufficient room for prayer, fasting, study,
meetings, repentance?
Next Week
Lesson 4: Matthew 3-4; John 1:35-51
Additional Reading: Mark 1:1-13; Luke 3:1-22; 4:1-14; John 1:19-34;
2:1-25; 2 Nephi 31; Bible Dictionary, "Baptism," 618-619; "John
the Baptist," 714-15; "Repentance," 760-761.
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