Then the angel said, "Don't be afraid: for I bring good news of great joy, for all people. Today a Savior was born for you which is Christ the Lord."" (www.christiananswers.net) Shepherds came from all over to visit the baby Jesus in his manger in Bethlehem and over time, many wise men traveled to Bethlehem and delivered gifts to Jesus. .
At the time, Herod the Great was king of Israel and boy was he a wicked one. When he got news of the birth of Jesus and the gossip that he would rule all of Israel, he sent soldiers to Bethlehem to execute "all male children age two and under, in hope of destroying the Messiah, who might assume the role of king of Jews."" (Jesus of History/Christ of Faith, pg. 71) .
Before the soldiers could reach Joseph and his family, another angel appeared to him. The angel told him of the execution and warned him to leave Israel and take his family to Egypt immediately. Joseph acted at once, however, when Herod died, he moved his family back to Israel and raised Jesus in a town called Nazareth. .
Jesus was not born knowing that he was one that was to preach the word of God and that he was the renowned Son of God. However, as Jesus grew, he became increasingly aware of his strong spirituality and the grace of God on Him. He came to know of his actual purpose on the Earth. Jesus matured and grew closer and closer to God and man, living a life of joy and fulfillment. .
It was not until Jesus had reached about thirty years of age that he ran into John, the messenger the prophets had foretold would announce the coming of the Savior. John the Baptist was standing in the Jordan River, baptizing all those who came to him, and Jesus was there for the same reason. He went to the river to be baptized by John. When John saw Jesus, he said, "There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I was talking about when I said, A man is coming after me, but he is greater than I am, because he existed before I was born.
