Week 4: Birth of Christ & Infancy Narratives

Genealogy of Christ

• Read Matthew 1:1-17
• Characteristics of the Genealogy in Matthew
  • Women
  • 14 Generation splits
• Read Luke 3:23-38
• Differences in Matthew and Luke's Genealogy

Nativity of Christ

• Read Matthew 1:18-25
• Read Luke 2:1-20
• Shepherds and Angels

Circumcision and Presentation of the Lord in the Temple

• Read Luke 2:21-38
• Why is Christ Circumcised?
• Why is He presented in the Temple?
• Relevance to our Church rituals
• Who is Simeon?

Visit of the Magi and Flight to Egypt

• Read Matthew 2

Christ as a Child

• Why don't we have more stories from Christ's childhood?
  • Because nothing interesting happened! He lived as an ordinary boy... He learned carpentry, He took care of His mother after Joseph departed, etc. 
  • We know that He was ordinary because when He started to manifest Himself, the people in Nazareth were surprised! He had never showed any indication of anything supernatural or divine!
• The exception is the story in Luke 2
• Read Luke 2:39-52
• How does this show His Humanity