All the Jesus Prophesied Signs Shepherds Jesus Is Circumcised, Wise Men Wise Men Joseph Is Warned World Is Christ Is Come Forth in Hear of Named, and Presented Ask Herod Find Christ to Flee to Egypt Taxed Born the Americas Christ’s Birth at the Temple about Christ and Give Gifts

Luke 2:1–4; Luke 2:6–7 Helaman 14:1–5; Luke 2:8–17 Luke 2:21–38; Matthew 2:1–10 Matthew 2:9–12; Matthew James E. Talmage, 3 Nephi 1:15–21 James E. Talmage, Bible Dictionary, 2:13–16, 19–23 Jesus the Christ Jesus the Christ, 95 “Magi” (1916), 91–92

THE ROMAN NAZARETH, BETHLEHEM, THE AMERICAS NEAR BETHLEHEM BETHLEHEM JERUSALEM BETHLEHEM BETHLEHEM, EGYPT, EMPIRE AND JUDEA AND NAZARETH

The taxing As prophesied, on the day After eight days, Christ was An unspecified number of The Wise Men did eventually The Wise Men never reported functioned as of Christ’s birth, there was circumcised and named, Wise Men “from the east” find Christ. Matthew speci- to Herod as they said they both a tax and a a day and a night and a day as was the Jewish custom. came to Jerusalem seeking fies that they found Jesus in would. Herod reacted by census enrollment, of full brightness on the He was named Jesus, or Christ. They had seen a new his house as a “young child,” decreeing that all the children which was implemented by the American continent. A new “Yeshua,” which means star in the sky, which indicated suggesting that they came born in Bethlehem age two and THE WISE MEN SEEKING JESUS,

Romans. Usually, the Romans star appeared in the sky. DALL; BY ROSE DATOC “Savior” in Hebrew. that the Christ had been born. at least a year after Christ’s under were to be killed. Being enrolled people based on Jewish custom dictated that They asked King Herod, the birth. They presented Him warned in a vision, Joseph took FLIGHT, their current residency, but © LARS JUSTINEN/LICENSED FROM a woman must wait 40 days Roman-appointed king of with gold, frankincense, and Mary and Jesus to Egypt. They the Jewish custom was to after childbirth to enter the Judea, where to find the child. myrrh—valuable gifts that stayed there until Herod died. enroll people based on their temple. After the 40 days Herod was threatened by acknowledged the kingly At Herod’s death, an angel BY JON MCNAUGHTON; ancestral homes. Because of were over, Mary and Joseph the possibility of a new king, status of Jesus. In a dream, came to Joseph in a vision, SIMEON AND CHRIST this, Bethlehem, the ancestral Bethlehem means “house At this time of year, shepherds brought Jesus to be pre- the Messiah, who he thought the Wise Men were told not telling him that it was safe to home of Joseph, was crowded, of bread” and was the were keeping their flocks THE NATIVITY, sented at the temple. There would take over his kingdom. to tell Herod of their findings. move back to Israel. Hearing and the inns were full. prophesied birthplace outdoors both day and night. they met Simeon, who had Without telling the Wise Men that Herod’s son was the of the Messiah. This is where they were when an BY DEL PARSON; been promised that he would of his fears, he asked them current ruler, however, Joseph angel appeared to them, telling see Christ before he died. to bring him word of took his family to Nazareth in Joseph and Mary traveled them of the birth of the Savior. He recognized Christ, held where they found Christ. Galilee instead of Judea, and to Bethlehem to be taxed. Following the angel’s announce- Him in his arms, and glorified He planned to kill Him. thus Christ’s life as Jesus of When Jesus was born, ment, a host of angels appeared, God. He also prophesied of Nazareth began. Years later He Mary improvised a crib by glorifying God. After hearing Christ’s mission on earth. would be baptized, perform © THE CLASSIC BIBLE ART COLLECTION/LICENSED FROM GOODSALT.COM; © THE CLASSIC BIBLE ART COLLECTION/LICENSED FROM GOODSALT.COM;

laying Jesus in a manger, or this, the shepherds hurried to TO THE SHEPHERDS, ANNUNCIATION Anna, a prophetess, also miracles, and complete His a trough to feed livestock. Bethlehem to see Jesus. Once witnessed of Christ at wonderful, eternal Atonement. There is no mention of they had seen Him, they left the temple. She too tes- animals being present. Joseph and Mary and testified FIGURE FROM GETTY IMAGES; NATIVITY BY JOSEPH BRICKEY; tified of His mission.

to others of what they had seen. BY JOSEPH BRICKEY; WISE MEN BEFORE KING HEROD A SAVIOR IS BORN, A SAVIOR BY ROBERT DUDLEY AMBROSE (1867–1951)/PRIVATE COLLECTION/©LOOK AND LEARN/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES BY ROBERT DUDLEY AMBROSE (1867–1951)/PRIVATE 38 Ensign THE ROAD TO BETHLEHEM, GOODSALT.COM; FROM DETAIL December 2017 39