Joseph and Mary raised me in Bethlehem for a while. Soon, a few wisemen from the east visited us. These stargazers had learned of my birth from my star that appeared in the sky. Have I not recorded in my word that the heavens declare the glory of God? This star also guided them to my home. They brought with them gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for me worthy of a King, a Priest and also for the burial of an honourable man respectively. Prophetic gesture!

Earlier, King Herod had heard of my birth. These wisemen reported the news to him as ‘the birth of a King’ when they came in search of me but landed in his palace. Even today, those who seek my face are wisemen indeed! Herod started to panic assuming that there was a threat to his throne and life. Doesn’t it remind you of Satan? Not knowing exactly where and when the child was born, Herod ordered the immediate slaughter of all babies below the age of two in Bethlehem and its surroundings. The town was filled with grief and cry of lamentation, weeping, and great mourning as prophesied by Jeremiah, my prophet. However, being warned by an angel, Joseph quickly took Mary and me to Egypt before the mass murder happened. Roman soldiers’ sword could not get to my neck. My enemy failed in his attempt to kill me before the appointed time, this time too.

After the death of Herod, Mary’s husband Joseph moved us from Egypt to Nazareth per the prophecy of Hosea. It was a town of ridicule by the public. Joseph was a carpenter and carried on his profession as a poor man; he could not afford a great education for me. Our family grew with the addition of more boys and girls born to Mary and Joseph.

When I was twelve, Joseph and my mother took me to the temple in Jerusalem. When the customs of the feast were completed, they left, not knowing that I had stayed behind. I was among the learned men who engaged with me in discussion about scriptural matters and wondered who I am. Joseph and my mother came back to pick me up. My mother chided me for the lapse saying, “Your father and I were worried not finding you with us”, not realising that I was indeed after my Father’s business – providing answers to life’s questions. I went with them and remained obedient to them until it was time for John to baptise me and I, to launch my ministry. I was waiting for my Father’s time.