Luke's Infancy Narrative, in Ten Episodes Quiz

Answer: episode 7

The shepherds, having been informed of the miraculous birth in an angelic vision, proceed with haste to Bethlehem, to worship the Newborn Savior. When they see the Christ Child wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, just as they had been told, they go around and spread the news of the newborn Messiah. (Lk 2:18). Luke continues, "And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them" (Lk 2:19-20).

Luke includes the shepherds in his narrative to illustrate how the lowly are exalted. (He also gives us a little insight into Mary's character.)

Answer: episode 8

A lot happens in this episode. Jesus is circumcised and given his name eight days after his birth. Then Mary and Joseph travel to the Temple in Jerusalem. Forty days after bearing a son, a Jewish woman under Mosaic law had to undergo ritual purification, and being poor, Mary had to sacrifice turtledoves or pigeons (as opposed to a lamb for the wealthy). Mary and Joseph also consecrate Jesus to the Lord, as the Law required parents to do of every firstborn son (Lk 2:22-24).

An old man named Simeon saw the Baby Jesus, and said, "Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace...for my eyes have seen your salvation...a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory for your people Israel" (Lk 2:29-32). Then the prophetess Ana, an elderly widow, likewise came forward and "spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem" (Lk 2:36-38).

Answer: episode 6

Luke paints a grand picture: "Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger" (Lk 2:8-12).

This angel is not named, but some believe it is Gabriel. After the one angel speaks, a host of angels sing: "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests" (Lk 2:14). The NABRE editors note that this translation comes from the oldest Alexandrian and Western text traditions, whereas the Byzantine text tradition contains the phrase that may be more familiar to some readers, "on earth peace, good will toward men".

Answer: episode 1

An angel appears before Zechariah, a priest who has entered the sanctuary to burn incense, and announces that his wife Elizabeth, who is past her childbearing years, will bear a son, to be named John, who will be the messenger to "prepare a people fit for the Lord" (Lk 1:5-17). Zechariah expresses doubt (Lk 1:18). The angel replies, "I am Gabriel, who stand before God. I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. But now you will be speechless and unable to talk until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at their proper time." (Lk 1:19-20).

Gabriel is the angel who in Daniel 9:20-25 announces the coming of an anointed one, a prince, so the connection to Old Testament prophecy is implicit, as is the significance of the births of John and Jesus.

Answer: episode 9

Whereas Matthew relates that Mary and Joseph flee to Egypt with Jesus to avoid persecution, Luke omits this episode, and he informs the reader the Holy Family return to Nazareth. "When they had fulfilled all the prescriptions of the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him" (Lk 2:39-40).

Luke also tells us in an earlier passage that likewise John "grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the desert until the day of his manifestation to Israel" (Lk 1:80).

Answer: episode 2

The angel Gabriel, who earlier had visited Zechariah, now visits the Virgin Mary, who is betrothed to Joseph but is not yet living with him as his wife. Gabriel cries, "Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you" (Lk 1:28), and further says, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end" (Lk 1:30-33). Gabriel also informs Mary that her cousin Elizabeth, who was "barren", is six months pregnant, as a sign that "nothing will impossible for God" (Lk 2:36-37). Mary, unlike Zechariah, believes Gabriel and says, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word" (Lk 1:38).

This significant episode in the Christmas Story, which is often referred simply as "the Annunciation", is the subject of a great many works of art, and it is celebrated especially by Lutherans, Anglicans, Catholics, and the Orthodox. The date of the Annunciation is traditionally identified with March 25 (nine months before Christmas, of course).

Answer: episode 10

Mary and Joseph are exasperated, but young Jesus says to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Lk 2:49), which can also be translated as "I must be about my Father's work". Alas, they did not understand (Lk 2:50).

This final episode is included in the Infancy Narrative of Luke even though Jesus is twelve years old. It foreshadows Jesus's return to the Temple in Jerusalem before his death and resurrection.

Answer: episode 4

When Elizabeth gave birth to her son, the neighbors expected him to be named after the father, or at least some male in family. But when it came time circumcise the boy, Elizabeth said flatly, "No. He will be called John" (Lk 1:57-40). Zechariah was still mute, and wrote the name John on a tablet.

At this point, because of his demonstration of faith, his voice returned, and Zechariah sang a song of praise. This is known as the Canticle of Zechariah, or Benedictus, as it begins, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has visited and brought redemption to his people..." (Lk 1:67-79).

The themes of belief and salvation are very important in Luke's Infancy Narrative.

Answer: episode 3

Mary travelled to Judah to attend to her cousin Elizabeth during her birth, as was the custom in those days. But Mary's visit also filled Elizabeth and the unborn John with God's grace. Upon Mary's greeting "the infant leaped her womb" as he felt the presence of the Divine Savior, and Elizabeth shouted, "Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!" (Luke 1:41-42). Luke further reports that Elizabeth said, "Blessed are you who believed..." (Lk 1:45), for the role of Mary as believer is emphasized in this Infancy Narrative.

In response, Mary sang a song of joy and praise (Lk 1:46-56), often called the Canticle of Mary or the Magnifcat, which begins, "My soul magnifies the Lord..." (Lk 1:46 NRSV). Mary stayed with Elizabeth for three months (Lk 1:56), until after the birth of John, but before his circumcision, and returned home to Nazareth.

Answer: episode 5

Although many cinematic depictions add detail and stretch this episode out, Luke encapsulates these events into one paragraph (Lk 2:1-6):

"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the whole world should be enrolled.... So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn".

Bear in mind that Caesar Augustus was regarded as a savior and god to the Roman Empire, and he was known for the Pax Augusta, a time of peace throughout his long reign. Luke deliberately makes the comparison to remind the reader that Jesus is the real savior (Lk 2:11) and bringer of peace (Lk 2:14; also Lk 19:38).