The Christmas Story

Angelic Visits!

Zechariah

The Angel Gabriel visits Zechariah

He was a priest and was picked to burn incense in the temple.

Gabriel visits Zechariah and tells him that his wife Elizabeth will give birth to a son, and his name will be John.

he had doubts and was silenced to the appointed time.

John would become the famous John the Baptist. The one to

What was the role of John?

A voice in the wilderness.

He was prophesied to to prepare a way for the lord.

John’s Proclamation consisted of three elements:

Three Elements of John’s Proclamation:

Warning of imminent judgment at the hands of the Coming One.

A call for repentance in light of the coming kingdom of heaven.

A demand to express this repentance in concrete ethical terms.

The Second Angel Visit: Mary

The Angel Gabriel visits Mary.

The Angel tells Mary that she will have a baby, and she shall name him Jesus.

Some issues:

She was to be married to Joseph.

How this suppose to work.

Her response:

The New International Version Chapter 1

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

No word will fail

I am the Lord’s servant.

The Third Angelic Visit: Joseph

The New International Version Chapter 1

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, t because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph to be married to Marry.

She was found to be with child. Joseph was going to divorce her.

The angel told Joseph the truth in a dream, and Joseph responded:

Joseph’s Response:

The New International Version Chapter 1

20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, t because he will save his people from their sins.”

The New International Version Chapter 1

24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.

He woke up and “DID”

There is a Picture on Powerpoint

The Next Events:

John the Baptist is born.

Jesus is Born

Angels come to shepherds

about 40 days later Jesus is presented at the Temple

Magi Visit Jerusalem

Herod meets with Magi

Magi find Jesus. Weeks after birth.

Angel Visits Magie

Angel warns Joseph about Herod, and they flee to Egypt.

Angel tells them when it is safe to come back. : 19-20