The Birth Of Our Savior.

[LionHeart]

I felt that this would be appropriate considering the time of year.

I'm just going to post a part of this every so often so that nobody will have to read one huge post.

We will begin in the Old Testament. The Old Testament is riddled with things that anticipate the coming of Christ and the manner in which He would atone for our sins. For example, Psalms 22, among others, prophecies of the Savior. This was written by King David and goes into details about how Jesus would die on the cross. The interesting part is that crucifixion was not invented until 700 years later by the Persians. The popular method of execution in Israel at that time was stoning.

There are approximately 300 prophecies in the Old Testament of the coming of the Messiah. Jesus fulfilled every one of them; some of them deliberately, but most of them through methods that depended on the actions of other people. If we want to get statistical, the odds that Jesus was not the man prophecied of in the Old Testament are one in....a number so high that even the total of the number of atoms in the universe would not match it.

To better understand this, imagine taking one atom from all the atoms in the universe and putting a mark on it. Step outside the universe and toss it over your shoulder back into the universe and shake it up. So now it could be anywhere in the universe. Now put on a blindfold and spin around to get dizzy, turn around and dive back into the universe and pick up an atom. The odds that you picked up your marked atom are better than the odds that Jesus was not the Messiah. In other words, the notion that Jesus was not the Messiah is a statistical impossibility.

Moving on, we will have a look at the prophet Daniel and the role he played in the coming of the Messiah.

Daniel, while he was yet a teenager was alive at the time King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem. Daniel was among those who were taken to Babylon as prisoners; and there, he lived out the rest of his life. He became very good friends with the King and was the King's most trusted man. After King Nebuchadnezzar died, his wicked grandson, Belshazzar assumed the throne. Due to Belshazzar's wickedness, the Lord caused that Babylon, the impenatrable city should fall to King Cyrus of Persia without even a battle. King Cyrus, upon entering the city after the conquest, was met at the gates by none other than Daniel; who presented him with a personal letter; addressing him by name, which was written a few hundred years earlier by the prophet Isaiah; in which the Lord addressed King Cyrus as His annointed one; and that through him, the people of Israel would be spared and the temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt. All of which came to pass.

Since Babylon was such a great city, Cyrus made it the capitol of his empire.

After Cyrus died, the throne was succeed by King Darius. Not surprisingly, Daniel became a very trusted friend to King Darius. In fact, Daniel became the third man over the kingdom. King Darius made him the leader of a sect of magi who held the responsibilty of choosing the next king. The interesting part of this is the fact that this group of magi was a heredatory group. Normally a man had to be a Mede in order to join this group. Daniel was a Jew. This was very upsetting to the rest of the magi; which, through their deceptiveness and craftiness, eventually led to Daniel being thrown into the lion's den.

But the fact that Daniel was the head of this group enabled him to establish a secret sect within them to fulfill a prophecy of Isaiah approximately 400 years later.

L.H.

[LionHeart]

Approximately 400 years after Daniel, there lived a man named Joachim and his wife Anna. They were a humble and righteous couple, however, Anna was barren; therefore they had no children. They made a promise to the Lord that if He would bless them with a child, they would devote the child to His service.

One particular day, they went to a feast celebrating the dedication of the temple; at which they planned to offer up some offerings unto the Lord. The high priest at that time, a man named Issachar, knew that Joachim and Anna had no children. Upon their arrival, the high priest despised them and their offerings saying that they were cursed and until they could resolve it, they could not disgrace the temple with their presence or their offerings.

Joachim and Anna left the temple greatly troubled.

Joachim then consulted the registry of the twelve tribes to see if there was anyone else in Israel's history who had not begot any children. He was greatly troubled when he discovered that all who were righteous raised up children in Israel.

Being more troubled, he decided to go out into the wilderness and fast until the Lord would look upon him.

After being there for forty days and nights, an angel of God appeared unto him. Joachim was startled at first but the angel assured him that he was sent by God.

The angel told him that his prayers and offerings were heard and accepted by the Lord and told him that he was unjustly reproached for not having children saying: "God is the avenger of sin, and not of nature."

The angel told him that his wife Anna was barren for a definite purpose; and pointed out that there were a few great women in Israel who were barren, but were blessed with children through the power of God; Sarah and Rachel, to name a couple of them.

The angel then assured him that his wife Anna would bare a daughter; and that her name should be called Mary. Then reminding Joachim of his promise, the angel told him that she should be devoted to the Lord from her infancy and raised up in the temple so that she wouldn't fall under any bad influences. The angel then informed him that his daughter Mary was destined to be the mother of the son of God.

Then the angel told him to return to Jerusalem. And as a sign that the words he spoke were true, he told him that upon arriving at the golden gates of Jerusalem he would find his wife Anna there feeling very troubled that he had been gone for so long.

In the meantime, Anna was feeling doubly sorrowful because she not only was barren, but now she assumed that her husband was dead because he went out into the wilderness and didn't return.

One afternoon, she was walking out in her garden, and she knelt down under a tree and offered up a prayer to the Lord. She prayed for the safe return of her husband and also that she might be blessed with a child. While she was praying the same angel appeared to her and informed her also that the Lord had heard and accepted her prayers. He then related the same things he told Joachim concerning the daughter she would bring forth. Then he told her to rise up and go to the golden gates of Jerusalem, and as a sign to her that the things he told her were true, she would meet her husband there.

So both Joachim and Anna left the places they were at, according to the instructions of the angel and met at the golden gates of Jerusalem. They rejoiced greatly upon seeing each other and rejoiced even more upon learning that they had both been visted by the angel and were given the promise of a child.

So eventually, they had a daughter; and according to their instructions, they named her Mary. After three years, when she was old enough to leave her mother, Joachim and Anna brought Mary to the temple and put her in the care of the priests to be brought up pure and undefiled in the eyes of the Lord. This is where she remained until, according to the customs of such situations, she was fourteen years of age.

L.H.

[CrimsonKairos]

What source texts are you using in this narrative?

[LionHeart]

It was custom that all of the young women being raised in the temple, after they turned fourteen years of age, should return home and then seek to be married. However, in Mary's case, things were a bit more difficult due to a promise on the part of her parents that she would not be with a man due to the child she was to bring forth. Mary firmly intended to uphold this promise.

The High priest, who was now a man named Zacharias, was troubled at this because he knew the importance of keeping a promise to the Lord, yet it was the custom of their country that young women who reach that age should seek to be married.

So he entered into the holy of holies to consult the Lord on the matter. The Lord instructed him to summon all of the eligible men to the alter and that they should also bring their staff with them. Upon arriving, they would be asked to stretch forth their staff and the spirit of God would rest in the form of a dove on the staff belonging to the man to whom Mary should be betrothed.

Among these eligible bachelors was a man named Joseph. Joseph was a widow who was also an older man, so he felt somewhat out of place at this event. So when the men were asked to stretch forth their staff, Joseph held his back.

So the high priest was confused because the spirit of God did not rest on any of them. So he again went into the holy of holies to find out what happened. When he prayed about it, the Lord told him that the man to whom Mary was to be betrothed, was the only man there who did not stretch forth his staff.

So Zacharias went out and inquired as to who it was that did not stretch forth his staff. Upon learning, and asking him to come foreward and stretch forth his staff, the spirit of God descended down in the form of a dove and rested on the staff.

Shorly afterwards, they proceeded with the betrothal ceremonies, after which, Joseph returned to his own city to prepare his house and make the neccessary arrangements for the marriage.

L.H.

What source texts are you using in this narrative?

I'm getting the info from various sources. Some of it from the bible, some from a bible study course which was put together by a bible scholar named Chuck Missler, some from my own research, and some from a compilation from a friend of mine. This compilation includes the four gospels, as well as other books that were not included when the official canon was compiled. These books are where the story of Mary's parents came from.

L.H.

[CrimsonKairos]

Whether or not it's all accurate, this story makes for interesting reading.

[LionHeart]

As far as the truthfulness of this story is concerned, one must decide for theirself whether they believe it or not. But one thing I might mention about it, is that the books that it came from were up for consideration to be included in the official canon. There were many christian churches in those days that were teaching these things as true. The fact that these books were not included in the canon does not detract from how true they are because the books that were chosen were not chosen based on truthfulness; they were chosen based on importance. It is my personal opinion that these things are true.

Moving on with the story, we come to a man named Zacherias, who was the high priest, and his wife Elizabeth. At this point I will pay special attention to a quote from one of the previous posts when the angel told Joachim "God is the avenger of sin, not of nature."

I point this out because it was the High priest who reproached Joachim for not having any children. But as irony would have it, the new high priest, Zacherias was also without children; due to his wife Elizabeth being barren.

Both Zacherias and Elizabeth longed for a child and made it a matter of sincere prayer, but as of yet, their prayers had not been answered.

One day, while Zacherias was attending to his temple duties, and angel appeared to him and told him that his prayers had been heard. He said that Zacherias and his wife would have a son and that the child should be named John. The angel then said that this child would be filled with the holy ghost while yet in his mother's womb and he would act in the spirit of Elias and prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah.

Zacherias was a bit slow to believe this because he and Elizabeth were quite old. The angel, upon realizing Zacherias' disbelief, told him that he was the angel Gabriel who came straight from the presence of God to bring him this message. And since Zacherias would not believe his words, he would be unable to speak until those things came to pass.

Upon leaving the temple, people realized that Zacherias must have seen a vision because of the expression on his face and the fact that he couldn't speak.

So Zacherias, on account of his condition, had to temporarily turn his temple duties over to a man named Samuel, and he went home; shortly after which, his wife Elizabeth concieved a child.

[Ray]

You rock, dude. Kudos your story, too. BOOYAH!

Uhh hmm. :clears throat: Pardon me.

Thank you very much for sharing this story, Lion Heart. I appreciate it, and I believe it is true.

:)

[LionHeart]

You rock, dude. Kudos your story, too. BOOYAH!

Uhh hmm. :clears throat: Pardon me.

Thank you very much for sharing this story, Lion Heart. I appreciate it, and I believe it is true.

:)

Thanks for your support Ray. It is my pleasure to tell this story.

L.H.

[Ray]

Thanks for your support Ray. It is my pleasure to tell this story.

L.H.

Whoa, wait a second. Hold on there a minute.

It is MY pleasure for you to tell this story.

And I have a testimony about that!

:)

[LionHeart]

Before Zacherias was stricken speechless, the temple was in need of a new veil. So Zacherias asked the high priests to gather seven honorable virgins to spin the linen for the new veil. Mary just so happened to be among those chosen. They cast lots to decide who would do what job. There were four colors to spin, which were gold, blue, scarlet, and true purple, and then there was the task of weaving the threads into fine linen. One person would spin each color and three would weave them into the fine linen.

Upon casting the lots, the job of spinning the true purple fell to Mary. (true purple signifies royalty)

After this was instigated, Zacherias was stricken speechless and the priest Samuel assumed his duties.

It was while Mary was engaged in this task that she was visited by the angel Gabriel. Mary was not afraid because she had become accustomed to being visited by angels. She had many visitations throughout her childhood in the temple.

This particular visitation was different from the rest however. The angel Gabriel saluted her with the utmost respect. He told her that she was highly favored by the Lord and that she was chosen and blessed among women.

Although Mary was not afraid, she, being very humble, was a little confused due to the great amount of respect shown her by this angel of God.

It was at this point that the angel informed her that she would conceive a child while yet a virgin and she was to call Him Jesus. The angel also told her that this child would be called the 'Son of the Highest'. And the Lord God would give unto Him the throne of His father David, and He would reign over the house of Israel forever and His kingdom would have no end. He would be the 'Savior of the World', the Redeemer of Mankind, the 'Son of God'.

Then the angel Gabriel informed her that her cousin, Elizabeth, who was barren had also concieved a son through the power of God and that through this power, all things are possible; and that Elizabeth was already six months along. (Elizabeth, on account of her age, hid herself away and kept her child a secret in order to avoid the public exposure)

After hearing these things, Mary told the angel Gabriel that she was willing to submit herself to the will of the Lord, and the she was the Lord's to do with her as He will.

After the angel departed, Mary related her visitaion to the acting high priest, Samuel. Samuel believed her words and told her that Lord had magnified her name and that she would be blessed in all ages of the world.

As soon as Mary was finished with her task of spinning the purple thread, she hurried to visit her cousin Elizabeth. Upon arriving at the house of Zacherias, she told Elizabeth about her visitation and what the angel had told her about both of their children. When Elizabeth heard this, she felt the child in her womb leap. This was a testimony to Elizabeth that the child which Mary was to bring forth was to be the Son of God, because she knew that her child was to prepare the way for the coming Messiah.

The two of them rejoiced in their situations and continually praised God.

Mary decided to stay with Elizabeth and offer her help until the time Elizabeth's child was to be delivered.

When the time fnally came, and Elizabeth delivered, her neighbors and cousins rejoiced in the fact that she was blessed with a child.

On the eighth day, when it was time to give the child a name, the family and relatives attempted to name him Zacherias, after his father. But Elizabeth would not have it. She insisted that his name should be John; but her husband was unable to speak up in her defense. The relatives, however, pointed out that there was nobody named John among any of their kindred. But they decided to ask Zacherias about it. Since he couldn't speak, they gave him a tablet to write on; upon which, he wrote: "His name shall be John."

Immediately after writing this, his ability to speak was returned to him, and the first words he uttered were praises to God.

After this, Mary returned to her own house.

Joseph was a carpenter, and was away building houses for a quite some time. But when he returned home and discovered that his future wife was with child, he was quite disturbed. But he was a just man and was not willing to make a public example out of her. While he was contemplating about what to do with her, the angel Gabriel appeared to him in a dream and informed him of the situation, and told him not to be afraid to take Mary as a wife. The angel referred him to the words of the prophet Isaiah which says: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name 'Emanuel'." (which being interpreted means "God with us")

The angel then informed Joseph that the child which Mary was carrying was the Son of God and that when He was born, He was to be named Jesus.

After awakening, Joseph rejoiced and did according to what the angel had instructed him to do; thus taking Mary for his wife.

L.H.

[LionHeart]

About this same time, in a land on the other side of the world; later to be called the land of America, there lived the people of Nephi; another branch of the house of Israel.

The coming of the Messiah was widely known among these people because all of the prophets who came among them prophesied of His coming. However, unlike the prohets of the old testament, the prophets in this land even prophesied of the name He would have; Jesus Christ. The prophecies of the Savior in this land were much more detailed than those of the prophets of old, likely because the bulk of Jesus' ministry was not going to be among them.

But there were many among them at this time who began to put their trust in their own wisdom and began to preach of the unlikeliness that there would ever be such a man posessing such power to perform the miracles that were prophesied of.

There were also others who were disheartened because of the fact that Jesus' ministry would not be among them, but among the people in Israel; therefore they began to lose faith.

And there were yet others who decided that the prophecies of Jesus were only myths contrived by the prophets to get the people to be good and keep them in submission.

But there was a sign prophesied of by a man named Samuel, who was a lamanite prophet, that on the night that Jesus should be born, the sun would set, yet it would not become dark, but it would remain as day. This is what the faithful ones anxiously awaited for. But there were many who decided in their hearts that it should surely come by a certain time, but when it did not, they began to lose their faith and join the hosts of the wicked unbelievers.

L.H.

[LionHeart]

Meanwhile, back in Israel, a decree went out from Caesar, Augustus that his entire empire should be taxed. Everyone was to return to the city of their birth in order to be taxed.

So Joseph and Mary left the city of Nazereth and went to the city of Bethlehem; where Joseph was born.

Upon arriving, Mary began to show symptoms that she would be delivering her child soon; so Joseph began frantically searching for an inn. But due to the numbers of people who were there to be taxed, all of the inns were full.

There was one inn keeper who, upon hearing that Mary was soon to be delivered, took compassion on them, and although there was no room in his inn, he led them to a stable where they would be sheltered from the weather and at least have warm straw. This stable was not an ordinary stable however. It was a large hole dug in the side of a hill; a man made cave.

Going back to the people of Neph: The wicked unbelievers eventually outnumbered the faithful. They then set apart a day in which all the believers would be put to death if the great sign, signifying the birth of the Savior, had not appeared by that date.

There was a prophet among them Named Nephi who became very concerned over this situation. Being very sorrowful, he knelt down and prayed mightily on behalf of his righteous brethren who were about to be killed because of their faith in God and the words of the prophets. He cried mightily to God all day until finally the voice of the Lord spoke to him. The Lord told him to be of good comfort because on that very night, the great sign would be given and our Lord would come into the world among the people in Israel to redeem mankind and fulfill the prophecies.

And then, it happened. In a stable, in the city of Bethlehem, a child was born. Joseph wrapped the child in swaddling clothes, and filled a manger (a feeding trough for livestock) with fresh clean straw, and layed this precious baby in it.

This child had His beginning below all things; in a large hole dug in the side of a hill, yet He would eventually rise above all things, and go on to change the course of history. It can truly be said that there has never been another soul to walk the face of this Earth who has ever had as great an impact among the children of men as our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This precious child was destined to be on the recieving end of the full force of all the hosts of Satan. Even as a newborn baby, through no fault of His own, there was such a strong hatred against Him; which would result in numerous attempts on His life. And yet, due to the fact that Joseph and Mary lived righteously enough to be able to recieve inspiration from God, the child would survive the attacks on His life, and go on to fulfill His Father's will among the children of men.

As soon as the child was born, there appeared a glorious star in the heavens.

In the fields around Bethlehem, there were shepherds watching over their flocks who were astonished by the glorious star. Amid their astonishment, the angel Gabriel appeared to them and said: "Fear not, for behold I bring unto thee good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. You will find Him lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes."

Upon saying these things, there was suddenly a multitude of the Heavenly hosts, praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, and peace on Earth, good will toward men."

Upon hearing these things, the shepherds immediately left their flocks and went in search of the the new born Savior.

Also, in the lands to the east, there were a group of men who were members of a secret sect of magi who recognized the new star as the sign they had been waiting for; which legacy had been passed down to them from generation to generation; all the way from the days of the prophet Daniel. They then immediately began preparing for their journey to Judea.

Among the people of Nephi, on the other side of the world, both the wicked and righteous alike, stood in astonishment when the sun went down yet the sky remained lit up as if it were still day. It was the sign, given by the prophets, of the coming of the Messiah.

At this point, the righteous people were spared their lives and the wicked fell to the Earth because they realized their folly and their wickedness. They knew that the prophets had prophesied of these things for many years, yet they did not believe. So they became sorrowful over their iniquity and the atrocity they were about to commit against their brethren. And they repented and turned their hearts back to the Lord.

L.H.

[Guest MrsS]

Thank you so much Lion Heart for your story - I really look forward to it each day.

[LionHeart]

Thank you so much Lion Heart for your story - I really look forward to it each day.

You are certainly welcome Mrs S. It is my pleasure.

Now we will take into consideration the glorious star that appeared that night. There is much controversy over this topic. From what I have seen, the most widely accepted version is that in the years 3-2 BC, there were numerous conjunctions between Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury, and the star Regulus. The only problem is this: Even if all of these stars became so close that they appeared to be one star, it still would not have lit up the sky like the sun does.

So at this point, I would like to offer my own opinion:

In the year 4 BC there was also a series of conjunctions with Jupiter, and Venus, and Mercury. Perhaps this is what led the wise men to Bethlehem but I don't believe it was the star of Bethlehem. The scripture says it was a "New Star". In the year 5 BC, chinese astronomers reported a "New Star" that lasted for seventy days. But it gets more interesting. They did not give an exact date but that it occured during the time frame of late March to early April. April 6th perhaps? Now there are only two kinds of "New Stars" that only last for a short time. Those are comets, and supernovas. A supernova is when a dwarf star explodes; thus becoming a thousand to a million times its normal brightness; then gradually getting dim and eventually disappearing altogether. This event would have lit up the night sky as if it were day.

So I think the Magi saw this event and recognized it as the sign they had been watching for. They then waited until they could see the stars again and then commenced their journey to Judea.

At this point, one might ask: "Why would these Magi from the Parthian empire; these king makers, have any interest in a new born Jew?" I'm sure thousands of Jews were born every day. Why the interest in this one? The answer is that this was a legacy started by Daniel the prophet, and handed down from generation to generation. This was the whole scope of that secret sect of Magi; to fulfill the prophecy by bringing gifts to the new born Savior of the world.

So they commenced their journey following the stars; primarily Jupiter, but they did not go to Judea. They went to Rome. That is where Herod was. The Roman empire and the Parthian empire were rivals. They had been squabbling over Judea for many years. Judea was a buffer state, therefore it was not safe for Herod to be there.

So they arrived at Rome in the presence of Herod. But there were not only three Magi. There was a whole military escort with many Magi. Tradition just assumes that since the scripture says there were three gifts, then there were three wise men. These were the king makers of the Parthian empire entering into their rival neighbor, Rome. Essentially they were the enemy in enemy territory.

When they arrived, they asked Herod: "Where is He that is born King of the Jews?" One must understand the scope of this question. Herod was not a Jew. He was an Edomite. Judea was conquered by Rome, taken from the Parthian empire actually, and Herod was appointed by the Romans to be the king of the Jews. This question asked him by the Magi was a deliberate insult to Herod. If there had only been three of them, Herod would have simply said: "Off with their heads." But since there were many with a military escort, Herod was intimidated and did not dare to do anything but answer their question. But he did not know where it was. He asked his scribe to look it up for him. After telling the Magi that it was in the city of David, he then told them to return upon finding the newborn child and tell him where the child was, so that he too could go and worship Him.

After this, they continued to travel in the direction of Jupiter which moved directly over Bethlehem and seemed to stand still.

After arriving, they delivered their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They then departed with the intentions of returning to Herod and telling him where the new born King was, but the Lord informed them that Herod did not have good intentions like he claimed to have. So they returned to their own country; leaving Herod to wonder about it.

L.H.

[CrimsonKairos]

This makes a good story, but I have a hard time swallowing so many inferences and interpretations when it comes to the story of our Savior's birth.

Secret sect of Magi? Sounds cool, but dubious.

Which Chinese astronomers noted this "new star?" (i.e. what source text)

I'm not saying I can't believe any of your narrative. It's not far-fetched or anything. I'd just have to read the source texts for myself. But don't let me stop you, by all means, continue.

[LionHeart]

This makes a good story, but I have a hard time swallowing so many inferences and interpretations when it comes to the story of our Savior's birth.

Secret sect of Magi? Sounds cool, but dubious.

Which Chinese astronomers noted this "new star?" (i.e. what source text)

I'm not saying I can't believe any of your narrative. It's not far-fetched or anything. I'd just have to read the source texts for myself. But don't let me stop you, by all means, continue.

Hi C.K. I get the 'secret sect of Magi' from an audio book that contains a bible study given by Chuck Missler. In fact I wondered if you had heard of him because he quotes your signature a few times:

The new testament is in the old testament concealed; the old testament is in the new testament revealed.

For more information on the chinese astronomers check out this site: http://www.iac.es/galeria/mrk/Chinese.html

The thing you are looking for is "the 5 BC star"

L.H.

[CrimsonKairos]

Thanks for the info LH. I'll have to look into this Chuck Missler. As for my signature, I saw it on a website once that I can't remember. Perhaps it was his, or perhaps both he and I are copying someone else, lol. Either way, it's a darn good palindromic axiom.

[LionHeart]

Thanks for the info LH. I'll have to look into this Chuck Missler. As for my signature, I saw it on a website once that I can't remember. Perhaps it was his, or perhaps both he and I are copying someone else, lol. Either way, it's a darn good palindromic axiom.

The audio book I was referring to is called "Learn the bible in 24 hours" It is VERY fascinating if you like to link science to biblical events or just more fully understand why certain people did certain things. It also explains in great detail just how "the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed." It is a 24 hour study however.

L.H.

[Guest MrsS]

The audio book I was referring to is called "Learn the bible in 24 hours" It is VERY fascinating if you like to link science to biblical events or just more fully understand why certain people did certain things. It also explains in great detail just how "the New Testament is in the Old Testament concealed and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed." It is a 24 hour study however. L.H.

You can listen to it on-line at: http://www.khouse.org/6640/CD105-1/ for free.

[LionHeart]

After the Magi had returned to their own country without returning to Herod with the information regarding the location of the new born King, Herod went ballistic. Out of a fit of rage, he ordered his soldiers to hunt down Jesus and kill Him. And just to be certain, he also ordered them to kill every baby boy, 2 years of age and younger.

One night while Joseph was sleeping, an angel visited him and warned him of the onslaught; and instructed him to get up immediately and escape to Egypt until the Lord tells him it is safe to return.

So he immediately arose and took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt as he was instructed; a land where Herod had no juristdiction.

Although Jesus was safe, young John was not. He was merely six months older than Jesus. Word had spread around quite rapidly of the miraculous birth of John; in fact some people were even considering the possibility that he was the Messiah. Therefore John was in grave danger, as he became a prime target for the soldiers.

Word reached Elizabeth that Herod's soldiers were coming to seek out and kill John so she quickly took John and fled into the mountains. She searched for a place to hide him but could not find any that would conceal them well enough. So out of desparation, she knelt down and prayed for the safety of her son and herself. Suddenly an angel appeared to her and showed her a cave where she could hide. The angel then watched over them and kept them concealed and protected from the soldiers. This is where they remained until the death of Herod, as Herod, knowing about the rumors spreading around that John may have been the new born King of the Jews, and not recieving any reports from his soldiers about John's death, continued to search for him. So John spent the first part of his life being raised in the wilderness and being fed on locusts and honey.

Meanwhile, back in Jerusalem, Herod's servants approached Zacherias while he was attending to his temple duties concerning the location of his son.

Zacherias replied to them: "I am a minister of God, and a servant at the alter. How should I know where my son is?"

The servants returned to Herod and informed him of the situation. Herod only became more enraged and sent his servants back to Jerusalem with instructions to kill Zacherias if he did not tell them where his son John was.

When they returned to Zacherias, they found him alone in the temple, in the holy room where the alter was, and again confronted him rather forcefully. Zacherias, realizing there was no way out, boldly stood up and proclaimed his innocence of any crimes to them; after which, he turned his speech to Herod's servants and pointed out distinctly all of their transgressions of the law.

The servants of Herod became very upset and they moved towards Zacherias to lay their hands on him, but Zacherias quickly cried out: "I am a martyr for God. If you shed my blood, the lord will recieve my soul. But you will know that you have shed innocent blood."

Disregarding these words, the servants lunged towards him and slew him. As he fell, they said: "Now you have your verdict."

They then dragged his body out of the temple and threw him down into a nearby valley, out of the sight of the people.

When the morning came, and the hour of salutation arrived, the other priests came to the temple, but Zacherias never showed up. They waited around for a while but he still never came. Finally, one of them decided to venture into the holy place to see if he was in there. Upon entering, he noticed the pool of blood on the floor and suddenly a voice spoke to him and said: "Zacherias has been murdered, and his blood shall not be wiped away until his avenger comes."

He immediately ran and told the other priests what he had seen and heard; who, upon hearing this, they went to see for themselves.

After telling the people that Zacherias had been murdered, all the tribes of Israel mourned and lamented for three days. Then the priests met in council to decide who should be the successor as high priest. They all cast lots, and a man named Simeon was the one chosen. Simeon was the man who was assured by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had seen the Messiah in the flesh.

After Herod died, the angel came to both Elizabeth, who was still hidden in the mountains, and Joseph who was in Egypt that it was safe to return to the land of Israel. But Joseph was informed that Herod's son reigned in his stead so he was afraid that the apple did not fall very far from the tree. So because of this, and also because of a warning from an angel, he did not return to his home in Judea, but instead made a new home for his family in the eastern part of the land of Galilee; in a city called Nazereth. This fulfilled the words of the prophets saying that the Messiah shall be called a Nazerene.

After returning from Egypt, Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to offer up a pair of turtledoves as a sacrifice to the Lord. Simeon, the new high priest, became filled with the Holy Ghost and rushed over to Joseph and Mary to see their child. Upon seeing the face of the young Savior, he offered up a prayer to the lord and said: "Lord, now let thy servant die in peace, according to thy word, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, a light, to lighten the Gentiles, and the glolry of thy people Israel."

Joseph and Mary traveled to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the passover. On one particular journey, after Jesus had grown to a young boy, they were about to travel through a desert country but they were told that it was infested with robbers. So they decided they would pass through it in the night time. As they traveled through it, they came upon a band of robbers who were asleep. However, two of them were awake and standing at the side of the road. One of them was named Titus, and the other was named Dumachus. When these two men saw the small family approaching, they stopped them. But Titus became filled with the Holy Ghost, and he turned to Dumachus, who was much less compassionate, and asked him to allow this family to pass quietly.

But Dumachus refused him and was about to awaken the rest of the gang, but Titus offerd him fourty groats (food made from wheat) and gave him his girdle as a pledge if he would just let this family pass quietly. Dumachus accepted the terms and remained quiet.

Mary thanked Titus for his kindness and as they began to continue their journey, Jesus turned to Mary and said: "In twenty five years, the Jews will crucify me at Jerusalem, and these two theives will be with me on the cross. Titus on my right, and Dumachus on my Left. And at that time, Titus will go with me to paradise."

Mary replied to this: "Oh my son, God forbid this should be your lot."

But never the less, they traveled peaceably to Jerusalem.

I will conclude this narrative at this point. Hopefully, this helps people to have a deeper understanding of the events that took place that enabled our Savior to come into the world and be preserved so that He could carry out the will of our Father in Heaven, and make it possible for us to gain our salvation. Many lives became forfiet due to Satan's drastic attempts to prevent the plan of salvation from coming among the children of men. It is my prayer that we can more fully realize this, and let it deepen our appreciation for everything we have been blessed with in this life.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son; that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Merry Christmas everyone, and God bless,

Amen

L.H.

[pushka]

Thanks for the narrative Lionheart, it was very interesting. :)

[Guest MrsS]

Thank you so much for the story ~

Merry Christmas to you LionHeart - God Bless you and your loved ones.

[Maureen]

...I'll have to look into this Chuck Missler...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Missler

M.

[CrimsonKairos]

Thanks Maureen.