Chapter 11—The Baptism This chapter is based on Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21, 22. Tidings of the wilderness prophet and his wonderful announcement, spread throughout Galilee. The message reached the peasants in the remotest hill towns, and the fisher folk by the sea, and in these simple, earnest hearts found its truest response. In…

Chapter 10—The Voice in the Wilderness This chapter is based on Luke 1:5-23, 57-80; 3:1-18; Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8. From among the faithful in Israel, who had long waited for the coming of the Messiah, the forerunner of Christ arose. The aged priest Zacharias and his wife Elisabeth were “both righteous before God;” and in…

Chapter 9—Days of Conflict From its earliest years the Jewish child was surrounded with the requirements of the rabbis. Rigid rules were prescribed for every act, down to the smallest details of life. Under the synagogue teachers the youth were instructed in the countless regulations which as orthodox Israelites they were expected to observe. But…

Chapter 8—The Passover Visit This chapter is based on Luke 2:41-51. Among the Jews the twelfth year was the dividing line between childhood and youth. On completing this year a Hebrew boy was called a son of the law, and also a son of God. He was given special opportunities for religious instruction, and was…

Chapter 7—As a Child This chapter is based on Luke 2:39, 40. The childhood and youth of Jesus were spent in a little mountain village. There was no place on earth that would not have been honored by His presence. The palaces of kings would have been privileged in receiving Him as a guest. But…

Chapter 6—“We Have Seen His Star” This chapter is based on Matthew 2. “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His…

Chapter 5—The Dedication This chapter is based on Luke 2:21-38. About forty days after the birth of Christ, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem, to present Him to the Lord, and to offer sacrifice. This was according to the Jewish law, and as man’s substitute Christ must conform to the law in every particular.…

Chapter 4—Unto You a Saviour This chapter is based on Luke 2:1-20. The King of glory stooped low to take humanity. Rude and forbidding were His earthly surroundings. His glory was veiled, that the majesty of His outward form might not become an object of attraction. He shunned all outward display. Riches, worldly honor, and…

Chapter 3—“The Fullness of the Time” “When the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, … to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” Galatians 4:4, 5. The Saviour’s coming was foretold in Eden. When Adam and Eve first heard the promise, they…

Chapter 2—The Chosen People For more than a thousand years the Jewish people had awaited the Saviour’s coming. Upon this event they had rested their brightest hopes. In song and prophecy, in temple rite and household prayer, they had enshrined His name. And yet at His coming they knew Him not. The Beloved of heaven…