The early life of Jesus

 Mary was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter who was a descendent of King David  They lived in the town of Nazareth  The Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary: “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you”  Mary was completely open to God’s will: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me as you have said”  Gabriel told Mary to name her Son Jesus – He would be great, Son of the Most High, He would have the throne of David, rule over the house of Jacob forever: Jesus would be the Son of God and savior

 The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and Jesus was conceived in her womb: truly God, truly man  Mary became God’s mother, and ours  Mary is the New Eve who is obedient to God  At creation, Spirit of God was over the waters  God breathed into man the breath of life at creation  With Mary, God is beginning a new creation, Jesus is the new Adam  God was present to the Israelites during the Exodus through the ark of the Covenant. Mary is the New Ark of the Covenant, because through her God is present to us  Her son is Immanuel = “God with us”  Mary = “exalted one”

 After the Annunciation, Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth, who was the pregnant with John the Baptist  Elizabeth greeted Mary: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!”  Elizabeth and the baby John the Baptist within her both recognized the presence of the unborn Savior in Mary  Elizabeth praised Mary’s Son, and Mary praised God (look at Hannah in the Old Testament)  Mary Stayed with Elizabeth for 3 months  John was the cousin of Jesus, the last and greatest prophet who prepared the way of the Lord

 Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born during the Pax Augusta, the peace of Augustus, the emperor of the Roman Empire  Caesar Augustus required everyone to return to his ancestral town to be counted in a census of the “whole world” (= whole Roman Empire)  Joseph took Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the City of David, about 90 miles away  Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born in a stable in Bethlehem, which means “city of bread”

 Luke – birth of Jesus first announced to shepherds by angels  “Glory to God in the Highest…”  An Angel told the shepherds where to find Jesus, and that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord  The shepherds were poor, but were the first to worship the newborn king

 8 days old - Jesus circumcised (made him a member of God’s chosen people)  Jesus was given his name, which means “God saves”  40 days old - Every firstborn male had to be consecrated to the Lord and “redeemed” – memory of Passover  Mary also purified (able to worship in Temple after giving birth)

 Simeon – Spirit revealed he would see Messiah before he died  Recognized Jesus, prayed “Nunc Dimittis” – “Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace…”  Simeon foretold Jesus would affect many people and suffer, and Mary would suffer too  Anna (old widow)– spoke of Jesus to everyone in Temple  Simeon and Anna = anawim – faithful people who kept alive God’s promise  February 2 – Feast of Presentation, blessing of candles

 Represent Gentiles (non-Jews) who worship the newborn king  Gold = king  Frankincense = priest  Myrrh = death  Celebrated on Epiphany – Sunday between Jan. 2 and Jan. 8

 Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover  After leaving, Mary and Joseph had to go back to look for Jesus  Found him in Temple after searching 3 days  “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I would be in my Father’s house?” – Jesus claims God as his true Father (divine)  Jesus still was obedient to Mary and Joseph  Mary “pondered these things in her heart”