Infancy Narratives

Pre-Nativity

 Old Testament Prophecies

 From the root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1-5)
 Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
 Perform many miracles (Is 35:5-6)
 Gentiles will believe while Jews will reject
(Psalm 118:22)
 Prepared by a voice in the wilderness (Is
40:3)
 Pre-Nativity

 John the Baptist

 Son of Zechariah and Elizabeth, Mary’s
kinswoman
 Born 6 months before Jesus
 Beheaded by Herod Antipas
 Pre-cursor of Jesus
 Last Prophet
 Jumped in the womb when Mary visited Elizabeth
 Annunciation

 Luke 1:26-38
 Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary
that she would give birth to the Messiah
 Says Mary is “full of grace.”
 Visitation

 Luke 1:39-56
 Mary visits Elizabeth after the
Annunciation
 John leaps in the womb
 Mary responds with the MAGNIFICAT
 MAGNIFICAT
 English (The Divine Office):
 My soul glorifies the Lord, *
 my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.
 He looks on his servant in her lowliness; *
 henceforth all ages will call me blessed.
 The Almighty works marvels for me. *
 Holy his name!
 His mercy is from age to age, *
 on those who fear him.
 He puts forth his arm in strength *
 and scatters the proud-hearted.
 He casts the mighty from their thrones *
 and raises the lowly.
 He fills the starving with good things, *
 sends the rich away empty.
 He protects Israel, his servant, *
 remembering his mercy,
 the mercy promised to our fathers, *
 to Abraham and his sons for ever.
 Joseph

 Could have divorced Mary

 Visited by Gabriel at night
 Advised to keep Mary as his wife
 Known by the people as the father of
Jesus
 Nativity

 Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem

 The home of Joseph’s family
 Census ordered by Rome
 Mary would have walked
 There was no donkey
 Joseph had relatives in Bethlehem
 Jesus would have been born in a home
 Inn could also be Upper room or Guest room
 Nativity

 Mary was helped by female relatives

 Joseph not present at the birth
 Would not know what to do
 Jesus was wrapped and laid in a manger
 Small trough for feeding animals
 Usually filled with straw
 Epiphany

 Wise men visit Jesus

 Came from the east, possibly Persia
 Unknown number
 Three gifts identified
 Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh
 Astrologers not kings
 Followed a star
 Portent of birth of great king
 Flight to Egypt

 Wisemen told not to report back to Herod

the Great
 Joseph warned that Jesus was in danger
 Holy Family lives in Egypt for a few years
 Herod has all boys 2 years or younger
killed
 Holy Innocents