Infancy Narratives

The accounts of Jesus’ birth and childhood found in the first two chapters of the Gospels

of Matthew and Luke.

Incarnation

Incarnation: Latin for “becoming flesh”

• central event in history which date all historical events before or after Christ’s birth

• Hypostatic union : Jesus is fully human and fully divine.

Genealogy of Christ • Read Matthew 1:1-17

Round Robin Answer

• Who is Matthew’s audience? • How is each section of Christ’s Genealogy separated? • JC called “son of david” but was Joseph’s son– what does

this mean? • Do you notice anything interesting about the genealogy?

RAHAB

Tamar

Bathsheba

Ruth

Genealogy – Women?!?!• Five women listed in genealogy• Lists are usually limited to men, why important?

1. Tamar (Canaanite) – committed incest2. Rahab (Canaanite) – prostitute3. Ruth (Moabite) – virtuous4. Bathsheba (Hittite) – commit adultery w/ David5. Mary (Jew, line of Judah) – perfect (in NT)

WHY are they listed?

Structure of Genealogy

• Listed in 3 groups of 14 generations1. Abraham to David (ruled by judges)2. David to deportation of Babylonian exile (ruled by kings)3. Babylonian exile to Jesus (ruled by chief priests)

• New David (JC) is judge, king, and priest• DAVID = DVD (4+6+4) = 14 (3 sets of 14)

• #3 is number of perfection, shows completion, perfection, fulfillment

Mix Pair Share – Rally Robin

• When then music stops high five the person closest to you. They are your partner.

• Rally Robin (back and forth answer) everything you know about Mary.

• Bear, Ninja, Cowboy winner goes first.

Hail Mary

• Immaculate Conception – Mary conceived w/o sin. • Assumption – Mary taken into heaven body and

soul• Annunciation – Angel Gabriel announces that Mary

will be God’s son. - Mary born in Jerusalem; parents Sts. Joachim and Anne- READ: Luke 1:26-38 – Annunciation

Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee.

Gabriel’s address to Mary: “Hail full of grace”- replaces name with “full of grace” to capture her identity

• “full of grace”, Gabriel is actually saying hail to you from beginning of existence; not present tense, from moment of being was full of grace and will never cease to exist

Blessed art thou amongst women

• Mary troubled because of her humility Gabriel said “hail” – An angel is humbling himself before a mere mortal human! Mary is more important.

• V. 34: “how can this be…no knowledge of man” –(no sexual intimacy) -- took vow of virginity

• Wants to make sure she doesn’t break vow, then accepts with “Behold I am handmaid of Lord be it done to me according to thy word”

Annunciation cont.

• “overshadow you” = God is physically presentGreek: episkiazein is used in all of these verses

Look up and read1. Luke 1:35 2. Exodus 40:353. Num. 9:18, 224. Luke 9:34-35

What is happening in each of these verses?

Ark of Covenant

• How is Mary Ark of the Covenant?

1. If you want to draw near to JC, must be close to Mary2. Ark used in battle, Mary used in spiritualbattle --- prayer!3. We also become Ark of covenant uponreception of Eucharist – sacramentally becomelike Mary

Contents

Old Ark• 10 Commandments

(Law/Word of God)

• Aaron’s Staff (Power/Authority)

• Manna (Bread that allowed the Israelites to live)

New Ark (Mary)• Jesus Christ

– Word of God (John 1:1)– Has Power/Authority from

God. (Works miracles speaks, truth)

– Bread of Life (John 6)

Monstrance in St. Stanislaus Kostka in Chicago Illinois

Why did Mary marry?

1. Wouldn’t be accused of immorality2. Mary would have protection3. Joseph would assist in household

Visitation• Mary visits Elizabeth –

Magnificat• John the Baptist leaped in

Elizabeth’s womb • Moment John is baptized

Check 2 Samuel 6:14What is happening?

OT/NT Parallel!

John the BaptistLuke 1:5-25

• Nazarite vow - Turn to Judges 13:5– dedicated person to God – can’t cut hair or drink wine– John consecrated to God– Filled with Holy Spirit in mother’s

womb • Zechariah became mute because didn’t have faithElizabeth was with child

Forerunner to Christ!

Cousin ComparisonJohn the Baptist

• Old parents• Previously barren mother• Conceived by normal means

– sex• Conception follows angel’s

visit• Father questions that it can

happen• Father punished for disbelief

– mute

Jesus Christ• Young parents• Conceived by virgin• Conceived by extraordinary

means• Conception occurs with

angel’s visit• Incarnation takes place when

Mary consents• Mother questions how it can

happen• Mother rewarded for her

belief

http://www.quia.com/sv/659546.html

Birth of Jesus

• Luke 2 and following• Luke is a historian and giving details so readers are aware

when the Messiah was born1. during reign of Caesar Augustus2. Quirinius was governor of Syria3. Augustus decreed that “all the world should be enrolled”

• Census: official count of people in given area• Jews return from which tribe they came from• Joseph- tribe of Judah, back to Bethlehem• v 7- “first-born son” --- meaning what?– doesn’t mean Mary had other children, title for eldest

or only son, this title ensures child is given family inheritance

Symbolism in Birth

1. Jesus’ birth shows 2. Shepherds first to visit 3. Wearing swaddling clothes

4. Born in a cave5. Manger6. Bethlehem means

1. Humility2. Are lowest on ladder3. Wrapped after death4. Tomb5. Animals eat food out of6. “House of Bread”

Eucharist is present at the moment of Christ’s birth!

Presentation at Temple• 8 days after birth JC is circumcised • 40 days after birth he is presented at Temple (Luke

2:22)1. All male (first born) had to be redeemed lambs dove,

pigeons. Sacrifice animals to praise God• Sacrifice only took place in Temple, not in synagogues

like pagans2. Purify mother of uncleanness after child birth.

(Hebrew Law)

Simeon: Presentation

• Simeon = righteous and devout, would not die until he met the Messiah

• “Nunc Dimittis” – “now dismiss”• “sword will pierce my heart”

- occurs at foot of the cross

The Epiphany: First public manifestation of Christ!• Read Matthew 2• King Herod the Great reigns during birth of Jesus • King Herod: notoriously evil, gentile, grave sin is

murder of Holy Innocents• Magi (3 pagans) come from Persia and adore Christ

because they seek truth, good and holy• Followed star – came from ancient tradition that “their

god” came to earth and it is their god as well• Why is Herod troubled? He was put to rule over Jews,

his title is “King of the Jews” and now this title he heard Christ is given1. wise men hear about JC and want to adore2. Herod hears and wants to destroy

Gifts of Magi

• Gold: symbolizes kingship of Christ

• Frankincense: type of incense – only priests can burn incense, symbolizes Christ as high priest

• Myrrh: ointment to symbolize Christ’s death, used in burials – sole purpose of his coming

• Tradition is they preached Christ and were martyred – 3 skulls in Cologne, Germany

Flight into Egypt• Joseph had dream to journey to Egypt, he was

obedient and fled immediately • Dreams are significant way of God communicating to

people• Massacre of Holy Innocence – Church holds these

children as the first martyrs (feast is 12/28)• End of Herod’s life – killed by horrible serious disease

– punishment for trying to kill JC

Moses Jesus• Born under evil pharaoh

ordered killing of male children

• Saved by intervention of mother

• Went into exile• Fasted, prayed 40 days waiting

for 10 Commandments upon Mountain

• Gave 10 comm. To people• Freed Hebrews out of Egypt

• Born under evil king• Killed massacre of Holy

Innocents• Saved by family• Went into exile• Fasted 40 days in mount.

and tempted by devil• Gave 8 beatitudes• Freed all people from sin

Finding in the Temple• Luke 2:41-52• JC is 12 years old, feast of Passover• 60 mile trip; used caravans• Point= JC chose to stay behind, • 1st recorded words of JC “Did you not know I would be in

my father’s house?” Luke 2:49• this shows JC does his father’s will• JC is teaching the teachers in matters of faith and religion