The Bible Story Part 229

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I

THE NATIVITY

_How the Lord Jesus Was Born in a Stable_.

(In the days of the Roman Emperor Augustus, a census of all the people of the empire was taken. Everyone went to his own city to be counted in the census. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enroll himself with Mary.)

And it came to pa.s.s while they were there that she brought forth her firstborn son; and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were shepherds in the same country abiding in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. And an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were much afraid.

And the angel said unto them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people: for there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you; Ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a mult.i.tude of the heavenly host praising G.o.d, and saying,-- {38}

"Glory to G.o.d in the highest, And on earth peace among men in whom he is well pleased."

And it came to pa.s.s, when the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see what has come to pa.s.s, which the Lord hath made known unto us."

And they came with haste, and found both Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in the manger. And when they saw it, they made public the saying which was spoken to them about this child. And all that heard it wondered at the things which were spoken unto them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these sayings, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising G.o.d for all the things that they had heard and seen, even as it was spoken unto them.

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THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT.

By W. A. Bouguereau (1825-1905)

"Thou wayfaring Jesus, a pilgrim and stranger, Exiled from heaven by love at thy birth, Exiled again from thy rest in the manger, A fugitive child 'mid the perils of earth.

"Cheer with thy fellows.h.i.+p all who are weary, Wandering far from the land that they love; Guide every heart that is homeless and dreary Safe to thy home in thy presence above."

--_Van d.y.k.e_

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II

THE WISE MEN

_How They Came from Afar to See the Lord Jesus_.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and have come to wors.h.i.+p him."

And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,--

'And thou Bethlehem, land of Judah, Art in no wise least among the princes of Judah: For out of thee shall come forth a governor, Which shall be shepherd of my people Israel.'"

Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and inquired of them carefully what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search out carefully concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and wors.h.i.+p him."

And they, having heard the king, went their way; and {42} lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And they came into the house and saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and wors.h.i.+ped him; and opening their treasures they offered unto him gifts; gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned of G.o.d in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

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THE REPOSE IN EGYPT.

This picture shows the Holy Family resting on the long journey to Egypt.

They are within the borders of the land of the Pharaohs, and are pa.s.sing the night in the shadow of one of the great sphinxes [End ill.u.s.tration]

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III

A JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF THE PHARAOHS.

_How the Lord Jesus Was Taken to Egypt, How He Was Brought Back, and How He Lived in Nazareth_.

Now when the wise men had departed behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I tell thee: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."

And he arose and took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,--

"Out of Egypt did I call my son."

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had carefully learned of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,--

"A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she would not be comforted, because they are not."

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But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead that sought the young child's life."

And he arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judaea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither; and being warned of G.o.d in a dream, he withdrew into Galilee, and came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth.

And the child grew, and waxed strong, becoming full of wisdom: and the grace of G.o.d was upon him.

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THE BOY JESUS ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM.