It may also be worth noting that many biblical figures were shepherds , among them the patriarchs Abraham and Jacob, the twelve tribes, the prophet Moses, King David, and the Old Testament prophet Amos, who was a shepherd in the rugged area around Tekoa.
Myrrh being commonly used as an anointing oil, frankincense as a perfume, and gold as a valuable. The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold as a symbol of kingship on earth, frankincense (an incense) as a symbol of deity, and myrrh (an embalming oil) as a symbol of death.
The number of shepherds shown varies also, though three is typical in the West; one or more dogs may be included, as in the Taddeo Gaddi (right, with red collar).
Yet, God chose shepherds to receive the glorious angelic announcement of the birth of Christ. God clearly saw significance in the role of shepherding. He used the term shepherd to describe the leaders of his people in both the Old and New Testaments and even used the word to describe himself.
The shepherds were quietly getting on with their own business when suddenly an angel appeared to them. The angel’s words to them told them of Jesus and his amazing birth and how they could recognise him in a very crowded town.
The Good Shepherd (Greek: ποιμήν ὁ καλός, poimḗn ho kalós) is an image used in the pericope of John 10:1–21, in which Jesus Christ is depicted as the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Similar imagery is used in Psalm 23.
The wise men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn king . Gold, of course, was valuable as currency. Frankincense is a valuable perfume. Myrrh is a precious ointment often used in the burial process.
The magi knelt down for the baby Jesus and “offered him gifts of gold , frankincense , and myrrh .” Their gifts are possibly an allusion to Isaiah’s vision of nations rendering tribute to Jerusalem: “A multitude of camels shall cover you.
Magi (/ˈmeɪdʒaɪ/; singular magus /ˈmeɪɡəs/; from Latin magus) were priests in Zoroastrianism and the earlier religions of the western Iranians. The earliest known use of the word magi is in the trilingual inscription written by Darius the Great , known as the Behistun Inscription.
As the Christmas season approaches, the image of Jesus ‘ birth in the manger — complete with Mary and Joseph kneeling over the infant, the three wise men, an angel and the animals looking on — will be seen everywhere. But research reveals that there was most likely someone else in the background. A midwife.
The Annunciation (from Latin annuntiatio), also referred to as the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Annunciation of Our Lady, or the Annunciation of the Lord, is the Christian celebration of the announcement by the Archangel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of
Matthew calls the visitors “Magi” (wise men) and they may well have been astrologers , following the sign of a special star in the sky. They probably came from Persia . The Magi could have come to visit weeks or even months after the shepherds visited , when Mary and Joseph had found accommodation in a house (verse 11).
Men, women and nature live in harmony. The shepherd often represents, too, the goodness of a life close to nature in contrast to the artificial life of the town. Blake is able to hint at this tradition by praising the ‘sweetness’ of the shepherd’s life.
James, brother of Jesus
James | |
---|---|
Born | Early 1st century |
Died | 69 AD or 62 AD Jerusalem |
Venerated in | All Christian denominations |
Canonized | Pre-congregation |
Names Jesus. Emmanuel . Christ. Lord . Master. Logos (the Word) Son of God . Son of man .