Birth of Jesus

Habari Mwanafunzi! The Greatest Story Ever Told: The Birth of Jesus

Welcome to today's CRE lesson! Think about the last time a new baby was born in your family or neighbourhood. There was so much excitement, right? People came to visit, brought gifts, and celebrated. It was a big event! Now, imagine the most important birth in the entire history of the world. That is the story we are exploring today – the birth of Jesus Christ, a story filled with angels, kings, shepherds, and a very special star.

The Promise: God's Plan from the Beginning

The birth of Jesus was not a random event. For hundreds of years, prophets had been telling the people of Israel that God would send a Saviour, a Messiah. Think of it like a promise from a parent; you know it will be kept. One of the most famous prophecies was from the Prophet Isaiah.

Prophet Isaiah 7:14: "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Immanuel means 'God with us').

This was a powerful promise! Let's look at how God perfectly fulfilled this plan. We can think of it like a simple formula:

  Prophecy from God (Through Isaiah)
+ A willing young woman (Mary)
+ A righteous man (Joseph)
+ A specific time and place (Bethlehem)
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= The Birth of the Saviour (Jesus!)

The Annunciation: An Angel's Visit to Mary

The story begins in a small town called Nazareth. A young, humble woman named Mary was engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. One day, she received a visitor who was not from her village. It was the Angel Gabriel, sent from God!

Gabriel told her she had found favour with God and would give birth to a son, Jesus, who would be the Son of the Most High. Mary was confused but full of faith. Her response is one of the most powerful in the Bible: "I am the Lord’s servant... May your word to me be fulfilled." She said YES to God's plan.

Kenyan Context: Imagine a respected village elder coming to your home with a message that seems impossible. Mary's trust and obedience, even when she didn't fully understand, is a powerful lesson in faith for all of us.

Image Suggestion: An illustration of the Angel Gabriel visiting Mary. Mary is a young African woman in a simple, colourful dress, looking up with a mix of awe and humility. The setting is a humble, sunlit room in a traditional homestead. The angel is radiant but gentle.

Joseph's Dream: A Man of Faith

When Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he was deeply troubled. He knew the baby was not his. He was a good and kind man, so he planned to end the engagement quietly to not bring public shame upon her. But God had a plan for Joseph too!

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him not to be afraid. The angel explained that the child was from the Holy Spirit and that he was to name him Jesus, "for he will save his people from their sins." Joseph woke up and did exactly as the angel commanded. He took Mary as his wife, protecting her and becoming the earthly father to Jesus.

The Journey to Bethlehem

Around this time, the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, ordered a census. Everyone had to travel back to their ancestral hometown to be registered. This is a bit like when the Kenyan government holds a national census and everyone has to be counted!

Joseph's family was from Bethlehem, the town of King David. So, he and a very pregnant Mary had to make the long and difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was over 100 kilometres! Think of travelling a long distance on foot or by donkey, not in a comfortable bus or matatu.

ASCII Art: The Road to Bethlehem

Nazareth Town
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    / \
   /   \    <-- A long, dusty road
  /     \
 /_______\
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     *  <-- The Star of Bethlehem
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Bethlehem Town

No Room at the Inn: A Humble Beginning

When they finally arrived, Bethlehem was crowded with people who had also come for the census. They went from inn to inn, but there was no room for them. The only place they could find was a stable, a place where animals were kept.

And there, in that humble stable, Mary gave birth to Jesus. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals. The King of Kings, the Saviour of the world, was born in the lowliest of places. This teaches us about God's humility.

The Shepherds: The First to Hear the Good News

Out in the fields near Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching their flocks of sheep at night. These were ordinary, hardworking men, maybe like the Maasai or Samburu herders we see watching over their cattle.

Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone around them! They were terrified, but the angel said, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, just as the angel had told them. They were the very first evangelists, spreading the good news of Jesus' birth to everyone they met!

Image Suggestion: A vibrant night scene in the fields outside Bethlehem. A group of African shepherds in traditional shukas are gathered around a fire, looking up in amazement at a host of angels in the sky. Their sheep are scattered around them, and the Star of Bethlehem is shining brightly above.

The Wise Men (Magi): A Star from the East

Far away in the East, wise men who studied the stars (astronomers) saw a new, bright star in the sky. They knew it was a sign that the new king of the Jews had been born. They travelled for a very long time, following the star to Jerusalem.

ASCII Art: The Star of the Magi

      \   |   /
       .-"-.
---  (   *   )  ---
       '-.-'
      /   |   \

They brought three very special and symbolic gifts for the baby Jesus:

• Gold: A gift for a King. This showed that Jesus was the King of all Kings.
• Frankincense: A type of incense used in worship. This showed that Jesus was divine and worthy of worship.
• Myrrh: A perfume used for burial. This was a sad gift, as it pointed to Jesus' future suffering and death to save humanity.

Why This Story Matters to Us Today

The birth of Jesus is more than just a nice story we hear at Christmas. It is the foundation of the Christian faith. Here's why it's so important:

• It shows God's incredible love: God sent His only Son into the world for us.
• It demonstrates humility: The King of the universe was born in a stable. This teaches us that God values humility over power and wealth.
• It is for everyone: The first people to worship Jesus were humble Jewish shepherds, and the next were wealthy foreign Magi. This shows that the good news of Jesus is for all people, everywhere, no matter if they are rich or poor, from near or far.
• It is the beginning of our salvation: Without the birth of Jesus, there would be no life, death, or resurrection to save us from our sins.

As you continue your studies, always remember the amazing, humble, and powerful story of how God came to be with us. What a wonderful plan! What a wonderful Saviour!

The Birth of a King: The Story of Jesus' Arrival

Habari mwanafunzi! I hope you are having a fantastic day. Think about the last time a new baby was born in your family or neighbourhood. There was so much excitement, right? People brought gifts, celebrated, and wanted to see the newborn. Now, imagine the excitement for a baby who was promised for hundreds of years, a baby who was actually a King! Today, we are diving into one of the most amazing stories ever told: the birth of Jesus Christ.

The Announcement: A Heavenly Message

Before a great event, there is always an announcement. The birth of Jesus was so important that God sent his special messenger, the Angel Gabriel, to deliver the news not once, but twice!

1. The Message to Mary (The Annunciation)

In a small town called Nazareth, a young, humble woman named Mary was engaged to be married to a carpenter named Joseph. Suddenly, the Angel Gabriel appeared to her. Can you imagine the shock? Gabriel told her she would conceive and give birth to a son, and she was to call him Jesus. He would be the Son of the Most High.

Luke 1:30-31: "But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.'"

Mary was confused but faithful. She accepted God's will with courage. This shows us the power of faith and obedience.

Image Suggestion: An African-Kenyan setting. A young, dark-skinned woman, Mary, dressed in simple but colourful kitenge fabric, looks up with a mixture of awe and humility at a radiant, powerful angel. The scene is inside a simple mud-walled hut with sunlight streaming through a small window.

2. The Message to Joseph

Joseph found out Mary was pregnant and, being a righteous man, he planned to end the engagement quietly to avoid shaming her. But an angel appeared to him in a dream, explaining that the child was from the Holy Spirit and that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Joseph, just like Mary, obeyed God's command.

The Long Journey to Bethlehem

Have you ever heard of the Kenyan census, where the government counts everyone in the country? Well, the Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, declared a similar census for his entire empire. Everyone had to return to their ancestral town to be registered.

Since Joseph was from the family line of King David, he had to travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, David's hometown. It was a long and difficult journey of about 150 kilometres, and Mary was heavily pregnant. They probably travelled slowly, maybe with a donkey. Think of walking from Nairobi to Nakuru! It was not an easy trip.

Image Suggestion: A dusty, sun-baked road winding through the Kenyan Great Rift Valley. A man, Joseph, with features of a local artisan, leads a donkey on which a heavily pregnant Mary sits. They both look tired but determined. The sky is vast with acacia trees dotting the landscape.

No Room at the Inn: A Humble Beginning

When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, the town was packed! It was like trying to find a room in a small town during a major festival or a political rally. Every guesthouse (inn) was full. There was no space for them.

So, Mary and Joseph found shelter in a place where animals were kept—a stable or a cave. And there, amidst the animals and the hay, the King of Kings, the Saviour of the world, was born. He was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals.

What does this teach us? It teaches us about humility. The greatest person ever to live was born in the lowliest of places.

    A Simple Manger
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    /  |_________|  \
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   | /           \ |
   |/_____________\|
    (  )       (  )

The First Visitors: Shepherds and Angels

Who were the first people to hear the good news? Was it the rich people? The powerful leaders? No! It was a group of humble shepherds (wachungaji) watching their flocks in the fields at night.

An angel appeared to them, lighting up the sky, and announced the birth of the Saviour. Then, a huge choir of angels appeared, praising God! The shepherds were terrified at first, but then they were filled with joy. They rushed to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus for themselves.

Luke 2:10-11: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"

This shows that Jesus' message of hope is for everyone, especially the simple and humble.

Visitors from the East: The Wise Men (Magi)

Sometime later, a different group of visitors arrived. These were the Magi, or Wise Men, from the East. They were not Jews; they were foreigners, probably scholars or astronomers who studied the stars. They saw a special new star in the sky and knew it signalled the birth of a new king.

They travelled for a very long time, following the star. They brought three very expensive and meaningful gifts for Jesus:

• Gold: A gift for a King. This showed Jesus' royalty.
• Frankincense: A type of incense used in worship. This showed Jesus' divinity (that He is God).
• Myrrh: A perfume used for burial. This pointed to Jesus' future suffering and death.

Image Suggestion: Three wise men with diverse, regal African features and clothing (e.g., Kente cloth, Tuareg-inspired robes, Ethiopian royal attire) present their gifts to the toddler Jesus, held by Mary. The scene is inside a simple home, filled with a warm, golden light from the star shining through the doorway.

Why is This Story So Important?

The birth of Jesus is more than just a sweet story. It's packed with powerful lessons:

• God Keeps His Promises: Prophets had spoken about the Messiah's birth for centuries. Jesus' birth proved that God is faithful.
• Humility is a Virtue: The Son of God was born in a stable, not a palace. This shows that greatness is not about wealth or power.
• Jesus is for Everyone: The first to worship Him were humble Jewish shepherds, and later, wealthy foreign Magi. This shows that the good news is for all people, from every tribe and nation, rich or poor.
• The Power of Obedience: Mary and Joseph are perfect examples of trusting and obeying God, even when it's difficult.

Let's look at how God keeps his promises with a simple timeline calculation.

    The Prophecy & Its Fulfilment

    1. The Prophecy:
       Prophet Micah predicted the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
       This was written around 700 BC.
       
    2. The Fulfilment:
       Jesus was born in Bethlehem around 4 BC.

    3. Calculating the Time Gap:
       Year of Prophecy:  ~700 BC
       Year of Birth:      ~4 BC
       ----------------------------------------------------
       Time between Prophecy and Fulfilment:
       700 years - 4 years = Approximately 696 years!
       ----------------------------------------------------
       
    Conclusion: God's plan unfolded over nearly 700 years,
    showing His faithfulness across many generations.

Isn't that incredible? The story of Jesus' birth shows us that God has a perfect plan. It's a story of hope, humility, and a love so great that it includes everyone. As you go about your week, think about the humility and love shown in this amazing event!

Habari Mwanafunzi! The Greatest Birth Story Ever Told

Think about the excitement in a Kenyan home when a new baby is on the way. People start buying new clothes, the grandmother (shosho) might come to help, and everyone chooses a special name. It’s a time of great joy and preparation! Now, imagine the preparations for the most important baby ever to be born. Today, we are diving into the amazing story of the birth of Jesus Christ, a story that changed the world forever. Let's begin!

The Announcement: A Message from Heaven

The story begins not with a king in a palace, but with a humble young woman named Mary in a small town called Nazareth. One day, she received a visitor who was not from this world. It was the Angel Gabriel, sent by God!

The angel told her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High." (Luke 1:30-32)

In our culture, names have deep meaning. The name Jesus (or Yeshua in Hebrew) means "The Lord Saves." This name was a promise of his mission on Earth. Mary, full of faith, accepted this incredible news with courage. She said, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled."

Image Suggestion: A realistic digital painting of a young, humble Middle Eastern woman, Mary, with a gentle and thoughtful expression. The Angel Gabriel appears before her, depicted as a powerful being of light, not with physical wings but with a radiant presence that fills the simple, rustic room. The style is warm and reverent.

The Journey to Bethlehem: A Royal Decree

Around this time, the great Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus, made a law. He ordered that a census be taken. Everyone had to travel back to their ancestral hometown to be registered. Have you heard of the Huduma Namba registration? It was something like that, but it meant everyone had to travel!

Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, was from the family line of King David. This meant they had to travel all the way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, David's town. It was a long and difficult journey of about 150 kilometres, especially for Mary who was expecting a baby.

A Simple Timeline of Events:
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1. Announcement to Mary    (In Nazareth)
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2. Joseph's Dream          (Reassurance from God)
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3. Caesar's Census Decree  (The reason for the journey)
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      V
4. The Long Journey        (Nazareth --> Bethlehem)
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      V
5. The Birth               (In Bethlehem)

No Room at the Inn: A Humble Beginning

When they finally arrived in Bethlehem, the town was packed! So many people had come back to register. They went from guesthouse to guesthouse, but every room was full. Can you imagine? In Kenya, we pride ourselves on our hospitality. If a tired, expectant mother arrived at our door, we would find a space for her, wouldn't we? But in Bethlehem, there was no space for them.

The only place they could find was a stable—a place where animals were kept. And there, among the animals, in the most humble of settings, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, was born. Mary wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, which is a feeding trough for animals.

ASCII ART: The Manger Scene
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The First Visitors: Shepherds and Angels

Out in the fields near Bethlehem, some shepherds were watching their flocks of sheep at night. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared, and the glory of God shone all around them. They were terrified! But the angel said:

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)

Suddenly, a huge host of angels appeared, praising God! The shepherds hurried into the town and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, just as the angel had told them. It's so powerful that the first people told about the birth of this King were not rich leaders, but ordinary, hardworking shepherds.

Image Suggestion: A dramatic night scene in the fields outside Bethlehem. A group of Kenyan-looking shepherds, dressed in simple robes and shukas, look up at the sky in complete awe and fear. The sky is bursting with a choir of luminous angels, illuminating the dark hills and the flock of sheep.

The Wise Men from the East

A while later, a special star appeared in the sky. Far away in the East, some wise men, also called the Magi, who were scholars who studied the stars, saw it. They knew it was a sign that a new king had been born. They travelled for a very long time, following the star until it stopped over the place where Jesus was.

When they saw Jesus, they bowed down and worshipped him. They also brought him very special, expensive gifts. Each gift had a special meaning:

• Gold: A gift for a King. This showed that Jesus was the King of all Kings.
• Frankincense: A type of incense used by priests in the temple. This showed that Jesus was our High Priest, connecting us to God.
• Myrrh: A perfume often used to prepare bodies for burial. This was a sign of the suffering and sacrifice Jesus would one day make for all people.

What We Learn from Jesus' Birth

This amazing story is not just a tale from long ago; it teaches us important lessons for our lives today:

• Humility: The King of the Universe was born in a simple stable, not a palace. God values humility.
• Obedience: Mary and Joseph obeyed God's will, even when it was difficult and confusing.
• God's Love is for Everyone: The first announcements were made to humble shepherds, and visitors came from far-off lands (the Magi). This shows Jesus came for all people, rich or poor, near or far.
• God's Perfect Plan: Every detail, from the prophecy to the census to the star, shows that God is in control and His plans are always perfect.

The birth of Jesus marks a central point in history and is a beautiful story of hope, love, and salvation. Keep these lessons in your heart as you continue your studies!