Ezra 1 and 2 begin with the actions of Cyrus the king of Persia. Although Cyrus is a Gentile he knows that he has been blessed by the Lord. He is to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. He returns the people and the temple vessels to Judah and Jerusalem. The heads of the families make freewill offerings to the house of God.

Luke 2 is probably the most oft read passage in the New Testament, at least through verse 20. This is the story of the birth of Jesus the Messiah or as we know the Greek the Christ.

At his circumcision he is named Jesus. Later, Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to dedicate him to the Lord and offer the proscribed sacrifice. There was a man named Simeon who learned from the Holy Spirit that Jesus is destined for the fall and rise of Israel. They also meet the prophet Anna. She praises God about Jesus in front of all the people.

When Jesus is twelve years old Mary and Joseph take him to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. He goes to the temple and talks with the teachers. His parents leave and realize that he is still at the temple. Jesus amazes the teachers with his knowledge. When his parents come for him he says that he must be in his Father’s house. They don’t understand what he is saying. Jesus goes home with them to Nazareth.

Even as a child people recognized that Jesus was destined for a higher purpose.