God sent the angel Gabriel to Mary, a young woman who lived in Nazareth, a little town in Galilee. The angel told Mary that God had chosen her to give birth to his son, Jesus. The baby would be the Messiah – the king foretold in hundreds of years of prophecies, who would save God’s people. Mary was confused because she was a virgin, but the angel told her that she would become pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit. He told her that nothing is impossible with God. Mary trusted in God’s word and said she was the Lord’s servant.
Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem because of an order from the Roman emperor that a census, or record, of all people be taken in their hometown. After traveling on a donkey for several days, Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem and were told there were no places to stay. The inns were full. Seeing that Mary was due to give birth at any moment, an inn owner told Joseph they could stay in his stable. Mary went into labour, and Jesus was born in the stable. The only place for the sleeping baby to rest was most likely in the animals’ trough, known as the manger. During this time, an angel appeared to shepherds who were watching their flocks in the fields near Bethlehem. The angel told them the good news of the birth of the Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ. The shepherds immediately went to find baby Jesus, who the angels told them they would find sleeping in the manger. Then they ran off to share the good news with everyone.
Jesus, a Jewish boy, was coming to the point where he was expected to take on adult responsibilities and have a good enough grasp of God’s law to be held accountable for obeying it. His parents visited Jerusalem each year to celebrate Passover, in accordance with Jewish tradition. When this visit ended, Jesus’ parents and their travelling companions embarked on the journey back home to Galilee. When they realized that Jesus had failed to join them, they returned to Jerusalem to find him. After a three-day search, they found Jesus in the Temple, discussing scripture with religious leaders. Although they expressed concern, Jesus seemed surprised, asking his earthly parents why they wouldn’t simply assume that he would be in his heavenly father’s house.
Jesus and his disciples were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Jesus knew that he was about to die, and that Judas would betray him. He decided to show his love to his friends (even Judas) by washing their feet, which was normally the job of a slave or servant, to make them clean before they shared the Last Supper together. Peter was bothered by Jesus acting like a slave, but Jesus said that no master is better than his servant, and that the disciples should follow his example of humility and service.
The prophet Samuel is instructed by God to visit the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the future king of Israel. Jesse presents his sons before Samuel, but none of them are chosen by God. When Samuel inquires if there are any more sons, Jesse mentions David, who is tending to the sheep in the fields. David is called, and upon his arrival, Samuel is divinely guided to anoint him with oil. From that moment, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David, signifying his selection as the future king.