Almost everyone knows the basics about the birth of Jesus. It is portrayed in cartoons, live action movies, plays, as well as being discussed in Church. Many people might think at this point that they know all about it. That exact reason is why we have been told by the Prophet and the Apostles to study the scriptures, which is not the same as just reading them. And that is what I did, in doing so I found something I never expected.
Lets start with Luke chapter 2:11-16 which is the angels and the shepherds
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Now lets compare this with Matthew 2:7-13 when the Wise Men search and found Jesus
Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
In most depictions of the birth of Jesus the angels, shepherds, and wise men are all in the stable at the same time. Studying this we realize that in Luke we are looking immediately after his birth. They are in the stable, He is laying in the manger, and is referred to as a babe (baby). In Matthew Mary and Joseph are now in a house. Jesus is referred to as a young child. It is likely that they have been in Bethlehem for at least 18 months perhaps longer. The word toddler had not been coined but even today a child is a baby when they can not walk, while a young child is able to walk and might even be referred to as a young child up to around school age.
The wise men arrived in time to fiance the flight to Egypt when Jesus was old enough to travel safely. It is amazing how events were orchestrated by Heavenly Father to fulfill the prophecies.
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