Transforming Today's World Magazine Volume 2 Issue 6 | Page 14

The Event That Changed The World “...and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was.” Continued from Page 12 the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshipped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night departed for 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 I called My Son.” Matthew 2:19: 14 Woman The County Magazine Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise, take the young child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.” When Jesus was born, the world experienced God manifested in the flesh. Jesus IS the dividing line. He is the same today as he was 2,000 years ago. The story of Jesus’ birth, is a written account of the event that changed the world forever. In John 14:6 Jesus speaks to His disciples; “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” In my opinion, those are the most profound and life changing words in the bible. The story of Christ’s birth, and the events surrounding them are factual and fascinating at the same time. My heart’s desire, would be that His words will speak to your heart. The relationship between Mary and Elizabeth is profound, yet rarely discussed. God always seems to come full circle in His perfection. These two women witnessed a living miracle. Mary, a virgin, gave birth to the Son of God. His name was Jesus. Elizabeth, barren and in her old age, also gave birth to a son; his name was John, “JOHN, THE BAPTIST,” who would one day baptize Jesus in the River Jordan. Luke 3:16-17: John spoke to the people: “I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worth to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.” Luke 3:21-22: When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the Heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “YOU ARE MY BELOVED SON; IN YOU I AM WELL PLEASED.”