The Book Report episode 38: The Day Christ was born by Jim Bishop part 2: The Shepherds and the Three Wise Men
“Glory to God in the heavens above,
and on earth peace to men of good will.”
After the Messiah was born, of a virgin, in a manger, there were shepherds sleeping in Judea, traveling to Jerusalem to sell their sheep at the market. In those days, the shepherds were seen as outcasts, loners who raised their families in the middle of nowhere. “The people of the town scorned the shepherds. They were wanderers. They had no roots. They seldom married and, when they did, they stripped the soil from the hillsides, exposing the soft white rock beneath. The men carved apartments in these hills, and raised their families remote from the towns.”
A bright light appeared in the night sky waking the wonderers, “After a moment, the intense light faded, and an angel appeared in bodily form, standing in air over the valley.” These shepherds were terrified, but the angel told them not to fear, he came with good news! “They looked up hopefully and the angel spoke again. The voice seemed to permeate the valley. ‘A savior’ the angel said ‘who is the Lord Messias, was born to you today in David’s town. And this will serve you as a token: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and a cradle in a manger.”’
“They were still dwelling on the wonders of God and his works when the angel was joined by hundreds of others, who appeared brightly in the night sky, and began to sing in a heavenly chorus: Glory to God in the heavens above, and on earth peace to men of good will. Slowly, the angels floated across the sky and disappeared.” The shepherds looked at each other and asked, “Did you hear as I heard” they debated if it was real and finally decided that it was, then one said, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and find out the truth about this thing the Lord had made known to us.” As they reached Bethlehem, the shepherds started asking where they could find the Messiah. Most people they asked turned away and looked at them like they were crazy, so they finally asked, if an infant had been born in the area recently, they finally found the inn and the owner directed them to where Mary and Joseph were with their baby. The shepherds approached Joseph and explained that they came to worship the newly born Messiah. Joseph looked at them curiously, but Mary heard and told Joseph to let them in.
“The shepherds came in, the cowls down off their heads. Their hair was long and ringleted, their beards trembled with murmured prayer, the hands were clasped piously before their chests.” The men were trying to see the baby so Mary pulled down the cloth from her babies face so the men can see. The shepherds thank baby Jesus for coming to save the nation, and “They recited some of the formal prayers. Joseph, standing aside, was amazed that so many strangers now knew the secret. The shepherds were torn between wonderment and happiness. This little baby was God and The Son of God, but he was also a helpless, loveable infant.” “They understood babies, and they understood animals and they murmured with delight that God would see fit to come to earth in an abode only slightly less worthy than their own homes in thew hills.” After a while, they excused themselves and left. “Thus, if one can say that the place of birth was small, humble, a place of animals and odors, then one can also say that the first apostles were the most humble and scorned of men.”
“On the same night, a bright star appeared in the eastern sky.” Three Magi saw the star and wondered where did it come from and what did it mean. They studied many ancient texts and finally discovered “There was an old prophecy by Balaam which said: ‘I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not near. A star shall rise out of Jacob and a scepter shall spring up from Israel.”’ The three wise men decided to set out on a journey and follow the star. “If the portent was correct, and the star foretold the king of the Jews, then it was important to the Magi to see the king, to pay homage and to bring gifts.”
They journey took them to the temple in Jerusalem and they asked the priest where the infant was so that they may worship him. The priest had no idea what they were talking about and was afraid that if people found out about this Messiah that they would turn away from the temple. The priest told king Herald and king Herald called for the Magi and asked them to go search for the child and to let him know of whatever news they might find. So, the Magi went on their way, following the star with all intention of returning and telling Herald where the baby was so he can pay homage to the child.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, just like the shepherds, they asked where they could find the Messiah, they were dressed like rich gentiles, so few people even wanted to converse with them. Finally, one of the Magi said that they should just ask if there was a newborn in town. “It was Gasper who said that the question should be rephrased. Instead of asking if a king was born, let us ask if a baby has been born.” Their luck changed when they stopped at an inn and the owner told them that there was a couple down with their newborn down in the stable. “The three wise men looked at each other, and wonder. A stable? A king in a stable?” they checked the ancient texts and decided it was true. “From the saddle pouches, they withdrew their gifts, adorned themselves with the jewelry of their rank, and in solemn file, walked down the path to the stable.” They met Joseph and told him they came a long way to worship the new king. When they saw Mary and the child, they fell to their knees and said that they had come to pay homage to the newborn king. “Mary glanced at them tenderly, and held her baby so that they could see his face.” When it was time to leave one of the Magi opened a coffer and pulled out a small packet of gold dust, a jar of frankincense, some oils from east Africa, and myrrh, “a rare, orange-colored gum used as a perfume unguent.”
Joseph was in awe that such gifts fit for a king were giving to this newborn baby. He tried to express his gratitude but couldn’t find the words. “Mary smiled and thanked the visitors, and hoped that God would guide them home in safety.” They left the inn and during the night they were warned not to go back to king Herald, so they went home another way. They were right to trust the warning because when Herald figured out that the Magi were not coming back with news, he ordered every baby from newborn to two years of age, to be executed. He even thought of killing his own son, but was not successful.
Joseph and Mary were planning on returning home but was warned by an angel to go to Egypt because of king Heralds’ decision. So, they did as they were told and only returned to their home when told it was safe. When king Herald had died, his son took the thrown and now it was safe for Joseph, Mary, and the baby to go back home, but Joseph was a little scared. “They might be seen. Anyone who might see the tiny burden would wonder why he had not been killed with the others. Someone might report it to the king.” Mary decided to let Joseph decided what to do. “The young foster father took a trail eastward, skirting to Bethlehem, and moved on by stages to Jericho, then north to Nazareth. There, among the families of Joseph and Mary, the infant Jesus was safe, and grew in strength and wisdom.”
This has been the story of when Jesus was born, I hope you enjoyed this episode of The Book Report and have a happy new year everybody!