The Birth of Jesus Christ

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Option 1 Choice 3

• What did Joseph initially want to do when he found out Mary was with child? He was going to have his espousal annulled. 
• What did Joseph decide to do after the visit of the angel in his dream? What does this suggest about Joseph’s character? He decided to take Mary as his wife. That he was faithful and knew what he needed to do. It also showed that he had a great love for Mary.
• How many times in these chapters was Joseph guided by the Lord in a dream? What does this suggest about Joseph’s spiritual sensitivity? Joseph had two different dreams in those chapters. It suggests that he was living worthily of having those types of dreams to receive the direction and guidance that he did.
• Although Joseph was not the literal father of Jesus, he was a righteous man entrusted by Heavenly Father to be a guardian to His Son in mortality. Write about at least two qualities Joseph demonstrated that you think you could develop to help you prepare to be a good parent. The first quality he possessed is dedication. He put Mary’s needs above his own. He also was spiritually in-tune. He lived his life in such a way that he was worthy to receive revelation and insight for his future family.
• 2. How is Mary referred to in Luke 1:28? From the account in Luke 1:26–56, make a list of Mary’s qualities that you think distinguish her as one who would be “favoured” by God with the special mission of being the mother of the mortal Messiah. Write a paragraph about one of Mary’s qualities you want to develop more fully and what difference it would make in your life. 
• Mary is referred to as "highly favoured."
• Qualities she possessed: 
• Virgin 
• Blessed among women 
• Obedient, accepting of what she told to do 
• Faithful 
• Submissive (handmaiden)
• In tune w/Spirit 
• Humble 
• Came from a good, strong family 
• Obedience to the will of our Heavenly Father would be the quality that Mary had that I would want to develop more fully. I think this quality would help me be a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, and member of the church. So often I find myself fighting those things that I know I ought to be doing with feelings of self-doubt. I can also become defiant when I feel like I'm being told what to do. The only person that hurts is me, and it thwarts my progression. If I were more obedient in things of the gospel, I would also have more humility and faith which in turn would help me to receive more guidance from the Spirit.
• 3. Matthew 1:1–17 and Luke 3:23–38 contain genealogies of Jesus Christ. In the institute student manual, read the commentary for Matthew 1:17; Luke 3:23–28, “Jesus Descended from Kings” (p. 22). Write a statement about the possible significance of the genealogy of Jesus Christ and why the two accounts are slightly different. It gave the genealogy of Joseph, even though Jesus was not his son, Mary shared the same lineage, as they were cousins. Jesus had a rightful claim as he was of the blood of David, inheriting David's throne. The two accounts are slightly different because one goes in a legal successor to King David's throne order and the other is father to son genealogy even though Joseph was not Jesus's biological father. 
• 4. Write a paragraph explaining why it was necessary for Jesus Christ to have an immortal Father and a mortal mother. Because Christ was the son of God, giving him the power of immortality as well as a mortal mother, having the ability to die, it gave him the power over life and death. He needed to have both of those abilities in order to atone for our sins as well as overcome physical death, allowing us all to be resurrected. 
• 5. Study Luke 2:1–16 and complete the following assignments: 
• Write six questions that cover what you think are the most important details of the Savior’s birth. In parentheses after each question, write the correct answer and the verse where the answer can be found.
• 1. Why was Jesus laid in a manger? (because there was no room for them in the inns vs. 7)
• 2. Where was Christ born? (Bethlehem vs. 4 & 11) 
• 3. Who announced the birth? (an angel vs. 9-10) 
• 4. What was the baby Jesus wrapped in? (swaddling clothes vs 7, 12) 
• 5. Why did Mary and Joseph leave their home? (because he was of the house and lineage of David, so he needed to leave Nazareth and go to the city of David, to be taxed, vs. 4)
•  6. Who set out a decree that all should be taxed? (Caesar Augustus, vs. 1) 
•  List five phrases from Luke 2:1–16 that you think would be good titles for a talk about Jesus Christ at Christmastime. 
1. Fear not; …I bring you glad tidings of great joy 
2. For unto you is born this day… a Saviour 
3. Glory to God in the highest …
4. On earth peace, good will toward men.
5. And the glory of the Lord shone round about them