The Twelve Apostlesthe First Christmas John The Baptist The

The Twelve ApostlesThe First Christmas John the Baptist The Risen ChristThe Crucifixion

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Zechariah helped his little son to learn and understand the scriptures – God’s laws and the words of the prophets. From the start, John was trained for the work God had chosen him to do. When he was older, he lived alone in the desert. He wore clothes made of rough camels’ hair, with a leather belt round his waist. He lived on locusts and wild honey.

There in the desert God gave John his message. And when he was grown up he began to preach and teach. Crowds flocked to hear this strange, wild-looking man who spoke with such power. “God’s King is coming soon,” he said. “Make sure you are ready. Change your ways, and God will forgive you.”

John told people what they were doing wrong. Many of those who heard him really wanted to live better lives. So he took them down into the River Jordan, “baptizing” them in the water as a sign that their past sins were washed away. When people asked him what they ought to do, John answered: “Share your food and clothes with those who need.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?" But Jesus, answering, said to him, "Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed him. When he was baptized, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Joseph’s family was descended from King David. So he had to go to Bethlehem, where King David was born. He had to take Mary on the long journey south through the hills – eighty miles of rough dirt roads. The donkey carried their food, warm cloaks for the chilly nights, and clothes for the baby who was due to be born any day.

Mary was very tired when they arrived at last. And there was nowhere for them to stay. The inn was already crowded with travellers. The inn-keeper felt sorry for Mary – but the only space he had left was the stable. It was dirty and smelly in there with the animals. But at least Mary could rest – and there was nowhere else.

That night Mary’s baby son was born. She wrapped him up warmly in the clothes she had made, and put him in a manger to sleep. On the hills around the town, shepherds kept watch, looking after their flocks. The night was dark and everything was quite – just a little bleat now and then from one of the sheep.

When the angels had gone and the sky was dark again, the shepherds began to talk among themselves. “We must go to Bethlehem,” they said, “and see what has happened.” They made sure the sheep were safe. Then they hurried into the town. There they found Mary and Joseph – and a new-born baby lying in the manger. Then they knew that what the angels had told them was true.

Then suddenly there was a blaze of light – so bright, the men had to shield their eyes. And out of the brightness came the voice of God’s messenger-angel. “Don’t be afraid. I’ve come with good news – for you and all the world. The Saviour has come – God’s promised King – born today in Bethlehem. You will find the baby asleep in a manger.” Then the shepherds saw a great crowd of angels, all singing praises to God. “Glory to God in heaven,” they sang, “and peace to all who love him on earth.”

When Mary’s baby was eight days old, he was given his name – Jesus. Soon it was time for Joseph and Mary to do as the Jewish law said, and dedicate their first son to God. So they took the baby to God’s Temple at Jerusalem. There was a good old man called Simeon living in the city. God had promised him that before he died he would see the King. Simeon was there when Mary and Joseph came to the Temple with Jesus. He took the baby in his arms and thanked God for him. “God has kept His promise,” Simeon said. “Now I shall die content. For I have seen the Savior.”

At that time Kings from the east came to Jerusalem. “Tell us where we can find the baby who is born to be King of the Jews,” they said. “We have seen His star and have come to give him presents.” Soon the whole town was talking about the wise men and their strange question. What could it mean?

Kings continued to follow the star and they came to Bethlehem. They found the baby in one of the houses, with Mary and Joseph. Then they opened their bags and brought out presents – gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Now after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to look at the grave. And behold, a severe earthquake had occurred, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and sat upon it.

And his appearance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. The guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said.

Then the angel said, "Go and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him.” And they left the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to report it to His disciples.

And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and take word to My brethren to leave for Galilee, and there they will see Me."

So they told everything to the disciples and they proceeded to Galilee. And Jesus spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Jesus went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles: Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; and Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Simon the Apostle was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. He received the authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal every kind of ailment and disease. The name Simon means "God has heard." Simon was also known as Simon the Zealot.

Andrew is the brother of the apostle Peter and his parent's names were Joanna and Jona. Like their father, Andrew and Peter were also fishermen on the Sea of Galilee. Andrew was the first of the Apostles to follow Jesus. The apostle Peter became the fisher of men in masse where Andrew was a fisher for individuals.

James the son of Zebedee and his brother John were among the twelve disciples of Our Lord. They, together with Peter, were privileged to behold the Transfiguration, to witness the healing of Peter's mother-in-law and the raising of the daughter of Jairus, and to be called aside to watch and pray with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane on the night before His death. James and John were apparently from a higher social level than the average fisherman. Their father could afford hired servants, and John had connections with the high priest.

Philip the Apostle was one of the original twelve apostles. He came from Bethsaida in Galilee. Jesus invited Philip to become His disciple. Philip became the sixth disciple of Jesus, and introduced his friend Nathanael (Bartholomew) to Jesus, who also became an apostle.

Matthew was one of the original 12 apostles. He was a tax collector before he was called by Jesus to be an apostle. Known formally as Levi, son of Alphaeus, Matthew wrote the first book of the New Testament. Matthew's work has been described as a textbook for Christian leaders. It is Gospel "to announce the good news", a presentation of the birth, ministry of teaching and healing, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Thomas is also called Didymus (the twin). Thomas is most famous for how he is depicted in the Gospel According to John. He first appears as a symbol of strength, encouraging the others to follow Jesus to Judea where death awaits. Later he expresses doubts about following Jesus. Finally, after Jesus’ resurrection, he is the “doubting Thomas” who refused to believe that Jesus really returned until he saw the scars and placed his fingers in Jesus’ side.

The Apostle Matthew also is the son of a man named Alphaeus, it has been thought that he and James were brothers. But the two were never referred to as brothers. His mother's name was Mary and she was one of the women who went to the tomb of Jesus, and found that it had been opened. James was also called "James the Less" and "James the Younger."

Simon the Apostle received the authority to cast out unclean spirits and to heal every kind of ailment and disease. The name Simon means "God has heard." Simon was also known as Simon the Zealot.

Thaddaeus was also known as Judas, son of James Saint Jude's attribute is a club. He is also often shown in icons with a flame around his head. This represents his presence at Pentecost, when he received the Holy Spirit with the other apostles. Occasionally he is represented holding an axe or halberd, as he was brought to death by one of these weapons. In some instances he may be shown with a scroll or a book (the Epistle of Jude) or holding a carpenter's rule.

Judas Iscariot "man of Kerioth," the son of Simon, was one of the twelve original apostles of Jesus. He considered it a waste of money when Mary anointed Jesus with expensive oil. And, John states that Judas had often dipped into the funds for his own personal use, and that Judas cared little about using the money to help the poor. After Jesus and His disciples went to Jerusalem, Satan entered into Judas and Judas approached local community leaders, offering to deliver Jesus into their hands for 30 pieces of silver. During the Last Supper, Jesus foretold of Judas' betrayal. Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. After Jesus' arrest, Judas was seized with remorse. He returned the betrayal money and hanged himself. The money was later used to buy a piece of land, which became known as the "Field of Blood."

During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you."

Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" So the Roman cohort and the commander and the Jews, arrested Jesus and bound Him.

Pilate then took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and put a purple robe on Him; and they began to come up to Him and say, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and to give Him slaps in the face.

Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor questioned Him, saying, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And Jesus said to him, "It is as you say." And while He was being accused by the chief priests and elders, He did not answer. Then Pilate said to Him, "Do You not hear how many things they testify against You?" And He did not answer him with regard to even a single charge, so the governor was quite amazed.

Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the people any one prisoner whom they wanted. At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. So Pilate said to people, "Whom do you want me to release for you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?" While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him a message, saying, "Have nothing to do with that righteous Man; for last night I suffered greatly in a dream because of Him."

But people said, "Barabbas." Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Crucify Him!" And he said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they kept shouting all the more, saying, "Crucify Him!" When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this Man's blood; see to that yourselves." And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children!"

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the Praetorium. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. And after twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand; and they knelt down before Him and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They spat on Him, and took the reed and began to beat Him on the head. After they had mocked Him, they took the scarlet robe off Him and put His own garments back on Him, and led Him away to crucify Him. As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.

When they came to a place called Golgotha, which means Place of a Skull, they gave Him wine to drink mixed with gall; and after tasting it, He was unwilling to drink. And when they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments among themselves by casting lots. And sitting down, they began to keep watch over Him there. And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS."

One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, "Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!" But the other answered, and rebuking him said, "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? "And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong." And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour. And the veil of the temple was torn in two. And Jesus, with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last. Now when the centurion saw what had happened, he began praising God, saying, "Certainly this man was innocent."

A man named Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.