1 – The Birth of Jesus

As we meet Jesus, we’ll learn about some things he taught (his words) and some things he did (his works). We’ll also look at the very important last week of Jesus’ life. But first, lets start by looking at his early life.

Luke 2:1–12

Jesus is born

1 At that time, Caesar Augustus made a law. He told his men to count everyone who lived in the countries that he ruled. 2 This was the first time that the Romans had made a list of everyone's names. Quirinius was the Roman ruler of Syria when it happened.

2:1‘Caesar’ was the most important Roman ruler. He lived in Rome, the capital city. Many countries in the world came under Rome's authority.

3 Everyone went to his own home town for the Romans to count them. 4 So Joseph went to his home town, Bethlehem. He was living in the town of Nazareth, in Galilee. Bethlehem was in Judea. King David had been born there, so Bethlehem was called the town of David. Joseph belonged to the family of David. That is why he went to Bethlehem.

5 Joseph took Mary with him so that the Romans could count them. She went because she had promised to marry him. She was pregnant.

6 While they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her baby to be born. 7 This was her first baby, and it was a boy. She put cloths around him. Then she put him in an animal's food box. She did this because the rooms for visitors were full of people.

2:7The many people that had come to Bethlehem filled the rooms for visitors.

Some shepherds leave their sheep to go and see Jesus

8 That night some shepherds were living out in the fields near Bethlehem. They were keeping their sheep safe. 9 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to them. A bright light from God shone all around them. That frightened them very much. 10 The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen! I bring you good news. This news will make everyone very happy. 11 Something happened today in the town of David. Someone special was born. He is the one who will save you. He is the Messiah. He is the Lord. 12 I will tell you how you will know this baby. You will find him with cloths around him. He is lying in an animal's food box.’

Luke 2:1-12 EasyEnglish Bible (EASY)

Did you Know?

Caesar ruled the Roman Empire.
Caesar wanted everyone to be counted so that he could tax them.
David was Israel’s greatest king who lived one thousand years before Jesus.
King David was born in Bethlehem.
A ‘manger’ is a place where animals feed.
‘Christ’ is a title which means ‘God’s promised king’.
Joseph was a carpenter who lived in Nazareth.

The Meaning of the Story

Jesus’ follower, Luke, begins with the story of Jesus’ birth. Jesus’ birth was a normal birth, but he was a very special baby.

Jesus was born about two thousand years ago in Bethlehem in Israel. Joseph went there with his wife Mary to be counted. Through an angel, God had told Mary that she would give birth to a boy. This boy would be a very special king.

Joseph and Mary called the boy ‘Jesus’, which means ‘God saves’. No one would have thought that this baby, born in a small village, would be the king and saviour of all people.

Then something special happened. God sent an angel to tell some shepherds this baby boy would be a king and would save people. This is good news for everyone.

Who is Jesus?

Jesus was born in a small village. His family were ordinary people. Jesus’ first bed was a manger. The first people to hear the good news were shepherds. In humble circumstances, a great king was born.

If we are in trouble, we need a saviour. God sent Jesus to be our saviour.

Thinking about the Story

What is a saviour?
Can you think of anything you need to be saved from?
Why were the shepherds afraid?
Why is this message ‘good news’?