39. Who came to see Messiah on the night he was born?
Some shepherds who were living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
40. How did they know that Messiah had been born?
An angel of the Lord appeared to them and told them the good news.
41. What did the angels say from the sky?
Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.
42. When they had seen the baby in the manger what did the shepherds do?
They spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.
43. How did people who heard about it react?
They were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
44. Hows Luke tell us Mary reacted to all this?
She treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
45. What else are we told about the shepherds?
That they returned to their fields, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
46. What happened to the baby when he was eight days old?
He was circumcised and he was given a name.
47. What name did they give to the baby?
They named him Jesus.
48. Why did they give him the name Jesus?
Because God told Joseph and Mary to do so and because he would save his people from their sins.
49. Matthew tells us that all this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through which prophet?
Through Isaiah.
50. Which verse does Matthew have especially in mind?
The one where Isaiah says the virgin would conceive and give birth to a son and they would call him Immanuel ("God with us").
51. When Jesus was six weeks old where did Mary and Joseph take him?
To the Temple in Jerusalem.
52. Why did they take him there?
To present him to the Lord as a first born son, in obedience to the law.
53. What sacrifice did they make for him?
A pair of doves or two young pigeons, the offering of poor people.
54. What was the name of the man they met at the Temple?
His name was Simeon.
55. What are we told about this man?
He was righteous and devout; he was waiting for the consolation of Israel; the Holy Spirit was on him.
56. What else are we told about him?
God had told him he would see Messiah before he died.
57. What did Simeon do when he saw the baby Jesus?
He took him in his arms and praised God that he had seen God's salvation
58. How did Joseph and Mary react to this?
They marvelled at what was said about him.
59. What did Simeon say to them about the child?
He told them he was destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel and to be a sign spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts would be revealed.
60. What did he add?
And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
