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| Key Fact | Spiritual Significance |
|---|---|
| ⭐ Born: c. 6–4 BC, Bethlehem | Fulfilled Micah 5:2; born in David’s city, the long-awaited Messiah |
| ⭐ Died: c. AD 30–33 (aged ~33–36) | The Paschal Mystery — His saving Passion, Death, and Resurrection |
| ⭐ Hometown: Nazareth, Galilee | Affirms prophecy: “He shall be called a Nazarene” |
| ⭐ Parents: Mary & Joseph | The Holy Family — perfect model of faith, humility, and obedience |
| ⭐ Identity: The Christ, Son of God, Redeemer | Heart of Christian faith — the One who brings salvation to the world |
- The Annunciation: Angel Gabriel announces to the Virgin Mary that she will conceive by the power of the Holy Spirit. Mary gives her Fiat ("Let it be done"), initiating the Incarnation—the moment the eternal Word became flesh (John 1:14).
- The Visitation: Mary visits her cousin Elizabeth; John the Baptist leaps in the womb, and Mary sings the Magnificat (Luke 1:46–55), praising God’s plan to lift up the humble.
- Journey to Bethlehem: Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to register for the Roman census, providentially fulfilling the prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, the "City of David."
- The Nativity: Jesus is born and laid in a manger due to "no room at the inn." This humility foreshadows his entire life of service and self-emptying (Kenosis).
- Angels and Shepherds: The heavenly host announces the birth to humble shepherds, the first recipients of the Good News, symbolizing that the Gospel is for the poor and marginalized.
- Circumcision and Presentation: On the eighth day, Jesus is circumcised (adhering to the Law) and later presented at the Temple, where the prophet Simeon offers the Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29-32), identifying Jesus as the "light for revelation to the Gentiles."
- Visit of the Magi: Wise Men (Magi) from the East follow a star (the Star of Bethlehem) and bring symbolic gifts: Gold (for a King), Frankincense (for God), and Myrrh (foreshadowing his burial and death). This event marks the first adoration of the Lord by the Gentiles (Epiphany).
- Flight to Egypt: The Holy Family escapes Herod's Massacre of the Innocents and lives as refugees in Egypt, fulfilling scripture ("Out of Egypt I called my son").
- Return to Nazareth: They settle in the small village where Jesus grows up (Matthew 2:19–23)
- Boyhood in Nazareth: Jesus “grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52)
- Temple Visit at Age 12: The only recorded story—Jesus amazes the teachers in Jerusalem during Passover (Luke 2:41–52)
- The Silent Years: For the next ~18 years he lives quietly, likely working as a carpenter (tekton) with Joseph
Baptism by John the Baptist: Jesus submits to baptism by his cousin in the Jordan River. This moment is a profound Theophany (manifestation of God): the Son is baptized, the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father's voice declares, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."
Temptation in the Wilderness: Jesus fasts for 40 days and successfully resists the three direct temptations by Satan, demonstrating his sinlessness and overcoming the failures of Israel in the wilderness.
First Disciples: Jesus begins calling his core followers, including Peter, Andrew, James, and John, urging them to leave everything and become "fishers of men."
Galilean Ministry: Jesus's primary focus is the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God—a realm of righteousness, justice, and peace that has "drawn near" in his person.
Famous Teachings:
Sermon on the Mount: The Constitution of the Kingdom, containing the Beatitudes (the eight paradoxical blessings) and the Golden Rule. Jesus intensifies the demands of the Law, demanding internal righteousness rather than mere external compliance.
Parables: Stories like the Prodigal Son (God’s boundless mercy) and the Good Samaritan (universal definition of neighborly love) illustrate the dynamics of the Kingdom.
Miracles (Signs): These acts are not just displays of power but signs revealing his divine nature and demonstrating the Kingdom's power over sin, sickness, and death. Examples include: turning water into wine (the first public sign, revealing his glory), calming the storm (authority over creation), feeding 5,000 (foreshadowing the Eucharist), and raising Lazarus (proving his power over death).
Growing Opposition: Jesus's claims and his radical re-interpretation of the Sabbath provoke intense conflict with the Pharisees and Sadducees, who view him as a threat to their authority and tradition.
Transfiguration: Jesus’ glory is revealed to Peter, James, and John on Mount Tabor, conversing with Moses and Elijah. This event confirms his Messianic identity and strengthens the apostles for the inevitable trials of the Passion.
The final week, culminating in the Paschal Mystery (Christ's suffering, death, and Resurrection), is the fulfillment of his salvific mission.
Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday): Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey, accepting the crowds' acclamation as the Messiah ("Hosanna!").
Cleansing the Temple: Jesus drives out money-changers, asserting his authority over the Temple and condemning the corruption of religious practice.
Last Supper (Maundy Thursday): Jesus institutes the Sacrament of the Eucharist (Holy Communion) and the Priesthood when he commands the Apostles, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). He washes their feet, establishing a model of humble service.
Gethsemane & Arrest: Jesus prays in the garden, submitting his will to the Father's, enduring intense anguish. He is betrayed by Judas Iscariot with a kiss and arrested.
Trials: Jesus undergoes trials before the Jewish council (Sanhedrin), Herod Antipas, and the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, where he is scourged and condemned to death.
Crucifixion (Good Friday): Bearing his cross to Golgotha (Place of the Skull), Jesus is crucified. His seven last words from the cross offer forgiveness and submission. He dies around 3 p.m. and his side is pierced (John 19:34), symbolizing the water and blood of the Sacraments.
Resurrection (Easter Sunday): The women disciples find the tomb empty. Jesus rises bodily from the dead, definitively proving his victory over sin and death, and establishing the truth of his divine claims.
40 Days of Appearances: The Risen Christ appears to Mary Magdalene, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the Apostles in the Upper Room (including the doubting Thomas), and over 500 witnesses. He teaches them the meaning of the scriptures concerning himself.
The Great Commission: Jesus issues the mandate to the Church: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19–20).
Ascension: Forty days after the Resurrection, Jesus is taken up into heaven from the Mount of Olives, concluding his earthly ministry and taking his seat at the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9–11).
Pentecost: Ten days after the Ascension, the Holy Spirit descends upon the Apostles, empowering them to preach the Gospel and formally launching the Church.
The Church: Built on the foundation of the Apostles, the Church continues the mission of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Eucharist: Jesus's presence continues globally and permanently in the Blessed Sacrament (the consecrated bread and wine).
The Second Coming: Christians worldwide await the Parousia—Jesus's promised glorious return to earth to judge the living and the dead and bring history to its ultimate perfection.
From a manger in Bethlehem to an empty tomb in Jerusalem, the 33 years of Jesus of Nazareth remain the most consequential life ever lived.
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