Page 39 - Advanced Life of Christ - Student Textbook

The requirement that every
person return to their home city
brought hundreds of new people
into the small village of
Bethlehem. The guest houses
and inns were completely filled. When the
two arrived, there was no place for them
to stay overnight, but some caring person
allowed them to stay in a cave in which
they housed their animals or they referred
them to an animal stable in the vicinity,
possibly Migdal Eder (more details shortly).
That night, the Son of God was born and
placed in a feeding trough. His birth
speaks of His humility.

Philippians 2: 5-11 Have this mind among
yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God,
did not count equality with God a thing to
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be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of
men. And being found in human form, he
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humbled himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a
cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him
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and bestowed on him the name that is above
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every name, so that at the name of
Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and
on earth and under the earth, and every
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tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the
glory of God the Father.

Bethlehem means “house of bread,” the ideal
birthplace of the Bread of Life. It was the
historic heritage of Rachel and the birth of
According to tradition, this exact spot, located in the basement of Benjamin, marriage of Ruth, and the exploits
the Church of the Nativity, is supposedly where Jesus was born. of David. Benjamin means “son of my right
See the “Tower of the Flock” next page.
hand” and David means “beloved”. Both
names apply to our Lord, for He is the Beloved Son at God’s right hand.

Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes, strips of clothes, like wrapping a mummy. Some infants were
wrapped this way to keep their limbs straight and unharmed. Others were placed in a blanket. The
shepherds were told to look for a swaddled baby.

The Messiah was announced to the Shepherds

Background Information: Twice in the Old Testament, a place called Migdal Eder or the Tower of Eder
or the Tower of the Flock is referenced as a place near Bethlehem.

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