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The birth of Jesus

Nativity paintings of the birth of Christ.
Story also available on our translated website: German
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A priest called Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old. <br/>(Luke 2:5-7). <br/>Zacharias and Elizabeth - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 1
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One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying. <br/>(Luke 2:8-10). <br/>Reconstruction of the Temple - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 2
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While Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared, standing to the right of the incense altar. ‘Don’t be afraid, Zechariah!’ the angel said, ‘God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth and turn many Israelites to the Lord. He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah who will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.’ <br/>Luke 2:11-17). <br/>The Vision of Zacharias - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 3
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Zechariah replied, ‘How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is old too.’ <br/>‘I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God,’ the angel announced. ‘He sent me to bring you this good news! But since you didn’t believe what I said, you will unable to speak until the child is born’ <br/>When Zechariah came out to the people, he couldn’t speak. Soon afterward his wife, Elizabeth, became pregnant. ‘How kind the Lord is!’ she exclaimed. <br/>(Luke 2:18-25). <br/>The Vision of Zacharias - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 4
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In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. <br/>(Luke 2:26-27). <br/>The Holy Virgin in Her Youth - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 5
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Gabriel appeared to Mary and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Mary for you have found favour with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High.’ <br/>Mary protested, ‘But how can this happen? I am a virgin.’ <br/>The angel replied, ‘The Holy Spirit will be upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and He will be called the Son of God.’ <br/>Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said come true.’ <br/>(Luke 2:26-38). <br/>The Annunciation - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 6
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When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant by the Holy Spirit, he did not want to expose her to public disgrace, but wanted to divorce her quietly. <br/>(Matthew 1:18-19). <br/>The Anxiety of Joseph - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 7
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Then, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.’ <br/>(Matthew 1:20-21). <br/>The Vision of Joseph - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 8
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The angel explained that all this was happening to fulfill what the prophet Isaiah had said: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’). <br/>(Matthew 1:22-23). <br/>The Vision of Joseph - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 9
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When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. <br/>(Matthew 1:24-25). <br/>The Betrothal of Mary and Joseph - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 10
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Mary went to visit Zechariah and Elizabeth in the hill country of Judea. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At that moment, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, exclaimed, ‘God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honoured, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? <br/>(Luke 1:39-44). <br/>The Visitation - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum – Slide 11
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Mary burst out in a song of praise, ‘Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour! For He took notice of His lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.’ <br/>(Luke 1:46-56). <br/>The Magnificat - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 12
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When the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire, it meant Mary and Joseph had to register in Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. <br/>When they arrived the town was full and there were no lodgings available for them to stay. <br/>(Luke 2:1-5). <br/>Joseph Seeks a Lodging in Bethlehem - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 13
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An innkeeper offered them shelter in a stable. <br/>(Luke 2:7). <br/>Joseph Seeks a Lodging in Bethlehem - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 14
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That night the time came for Mary’s baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped Him snugly in strips of cloth then laid Him in a manger. <br/>(Luke 2:6-7). <br/>The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ - James Tissot - Brooklyn Museum. – Slide 15
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