Come Follow Me - Matt. 2 & Luke 2 (part 1): Luke's Nativity Scene

[@martishelley]

I liked your comment about being blessed in high school so you could relate to and teach high schoolers. I had a similar experience. I was hurrying one Christmas Season, and walking out of Walmart, when I passed a man who was struggling to walk, muscular dystrophy, or multiple sclerosis. I quick said a prayer along the lines of Heavenly Father, thank you for my health. Instantly I heard these words, "I have given you health so that you can serve others." WOW! Now, when I say my prayers, I ask for continue health, so that I can continue to serve.

[@Jan-nn7fq]

Thank you, Brother Halverson! Just went to the Temple this morning before work to help a friend with sealings. She had a stack to do and arranged for 6 friends to help her with them. The Sealer, one of the Temple Presidency, conducted the sealing in Spanish, especially for her. It was a sweet experience. There weren't any amazing aha moments but just that sweet consistent presence of the Spirit that is so prevalent in that kind of setting. We return tomorrow to start working again. But today was just so calming, relaxing, rejuvenating and joyful! It was a wonderful way to start the day and you are a wonderful way to end it!!! Thank you for your gift of self, of time, of knowledge, and of understanding! You are as much of a treasure as that was!!!

[@ronaldkirk4454]

DITTOS!

[@machellelee3278]

Brother Halverson, I never had the opportunity to attend seminary, and being a widow have a difficult time with studying 'Come Follow Me' alone. I'm telling you this because I want to let you know how wonderful Unshaken is to me. My oldest son introducedme to your podcast and KZbin channel and It has helped increase my testimony of the scriptures 10 fold. The deep historical and coordinated way you present the beauty of the scriptures is inspiring. Thank you for being there for me.

[@curtiste3235]

Michelle, you are not alone. I am also widowed. Unshaken is a refuge from the storm and medicine for the soul. I'm so glad you are here and that we are a community of saints hungering and thirsting after the word of God. Blessings to you. 💖

[@riverbeauty3]

I got to go to the Temple today! Then I got home and saw this lesson was up. What a wonderful feast I've had today. Thank you. 😊

[@voicesvoicesandmorevoices3051]

One of my favorite things to do at Christmas time is to sit by the Christmas tree and read the story of Jesus’ birth. And I am particularly fond of Luke’s version. And I love to watch the little lights twinkle, and be reminded of the new star that twinkled above. It’s such a peaceful time. I’m certain that those of us not yet born, witnessed this beautiful event from the other side of the veil and shouted for joy. Oh how I wish that we could focus just a little more, on the true meaning of Christmas. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will to people everywhere!

[@kathleennielsen5626]

I just wanted to add my testimony to yours about being in the temple as often as we wish we could-our nearest temple is 90 minutes away but I’ve needed it’s strengthening power and comfort to endure my circumstances. As I have consistently sacrificed time in the quiet of the morning to spend some consecrated alone time with the Lord in fervent prayer and scripture immersion, I can testify that the Lord has made that sacred time and space a temple for me. He has spoken to me clearly, given me personal revelation, perspective and comfort too sacred to share. It has taught me that as we try to purify ourselves as a temple, He comes and we can feel His closeness. He hears our prayers.

[@codykoplin5337]

Oh how I appreciate your warmth while testifying of the truthfulness of these scriptures. I loved when you said "as I get older and my vision gets worse I have to have a get larger scriptures." Thank you for your time and service!!

[@davidspjut9365]

Brother Jared…I have found that through the past years, as well as today…your faith filled lessons have been a “swaddling “ of understanding the truth in these sacred words…the warmth of assurance under the covenant blanket❤️😇. Keep up the good work brother. David

[@curtiste3235]

Beautifully said, David.

[@joscelynpease6656]

My heart and mind are always opened listening to you, thank you!

[@davidspjut9365]

My favorite Christmas gift😇. Thank you our good brother❤️

[@mariahhonda7720]

Thank you!! Excited to dive into more Matthew and Luke!!

[@harrisonbeckett1545]

You are very good at teaching and bringing other words in to languagesthankyou

[@harmonywoodrome9911]

Wonderful lesson. Thank you very much 😍👏

[@beckywright7906]

I love Simeon’s and Anna’s stories,it always touch’s my heart! Thank you for this it was beautiful and enlightening.

[@patjesson5443]

Dear Brother Halverson, Thank You for sharing your vast knowledge about the scriptures. You make them come alive. I enjoy your interpretation of how they point to Jesus Christ. I'm hoping to gain understanding on how I fit into God's eternal plan. I think the answer will come to me through study and inspiration. The sacrifice that you make, by taking time to share, study and expound these things, can't be repaid. I don't have the right words to express the gratitude that I feel for for your teaching, so I'll just say THANKS.

[@pamelawalker9505]

Thank you Brother Halverson. Your videos are helping me understand the scriptures and are filled with the spirit and truth. I appreciate that you are sharing your time, energy and talents with the world and are blessing so many! 💕🙏💕

[@markandjanetdahl6674]

Thank you for taking the time to stop and talk with me and my husband at the Cedar Hills Wal Mart. It was just before Christmas and I’m sure you had a lot to do. The Christlike way you stopped and ministered to us one by one was much needed and appreciated. We are looking forward to listening to you speak at a Stake Family education week in our area on the 22nd. Thank you also for bringing the scriptures alive for me. Now when I read I’m understanding and feeling my testimony deepen in and of my Savior Jesus Christ and His life and mission.

[@LeieRazz]

I started the Standard Works, reading it in a year, and I am loving it! I can't believe how simple it really has been to keep up. Thank you for this gift. ❤️

[@ilovemybrats2]

I loved how you told the whole Simeon part. I bet he didn’t just pick Jesus up, he must have also hugged baby Jesus and kissed Him several times before handing Him back!

[@timw4113]

Brother Halverson, Wow! A friend of mine told me about you and your teachings. Thanks for opening my mind more to these glorious scriptures. It's going to be great to follow you for this whole yesr. Thanks again for your time you share.

[@karyshort4994]

Bro Halverson thanks 🙏☮️🕊️🕉️🏳️😊👍 so very much for sharing this upload and update and your 💬💭 thought 🤔🧐 s and feelings and testimony of Jesus Christ and The Sweetest Holy Spirit and The Angels 😇 In Heaven and Heavenly Father.😇👼.

[@DoctorSuezz]

My dad had sheep and it was amazing how he knew each one by name, personality and birth order... I imagine the Shepards back then knew their flocks personally as well. Maybe we should take this thought into deeper consideration as Heavenly Father knows each of us. 🐑 🐑 🐑

[@raymorgan2780]

Great insight and thank you, Susan for this powerful share! Aloha~~~

[@MegaGardenias]

Brother Halverson, are you teaching at Utah state? I have a grandson who needs you . He is struggling. He had a very active testimony. At 14 his mother died from overdose of drugs. He had a personality change. I know he loves the gospel but he is angry. Are you available to help him do you know of someone who is extremely intelligent, loving and common sensed to talk with this young man. I love him so much. His heart is hurt and his guilt is beyond his understanding. I believe your dad was our Bishop I Lubbock texas. If he is we love him and admired your mother. She was a great role model for us. Please, brother Halverson hear me and help this young man.

[@cindydavis329]

Thank you for all you do to share your knowledge and expertise with us. A special thank you for including the work of Dr Jeff Chadwick in this discussion. I have a great deal of respect for his work and insights.

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

No room? So sad but so true. Thanks for the video.

[@friendsinthefold]

I've heard that it is likely that the shepards who were selected to see and testify of Christ were the shepards that cared for the sacrificial lambs intended for sacrifice at the Temple. I assume they would have been Levites since they were involved in Temple work. These shepards verified that each lamb was without blemish and the first born of its mother before it was accepted for sacrifice. It is so like God to get every detail perfect, that Christ himself was approved by those set apart to approve each sacrifice in their priesthood office. Astonishing! Our Father is amazing!

[@elizabethburr2512]

I have been listening for almost a year now, and you are one of my favorite commentators on the scriptures! I'm excited that I might be able to help out this week, if no one else has mentioned it first: the opposite of claustrophobia is agoraphobia. The medical definition also includes crowded places and places that cause panic.

[@noskalborg723]

Thank you for that story of Simian. That hit home for me regarding promises with similar timelines.

[@Ttingey01]

Thx for the chart!! ❤

[@NicoleDelbar]

An enlightening interpretation of "no room at the inn" is explained in Kenneth E. Bailey's book Jesus Through Mideastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels. It answered so many questions that I've had for years, such as, "Why wasn't there lots of Joseph's family there to take them in since that's his ancestral home?" or "What about the strong mideastern tradition of hospitality? They wouldn't find a place for a woman about to give birth?" I highly recommend this book as it helped me make sense of the circumstances surrounding the Nativity Story.

[@juliet532]

I read parts of that book, too, and enjoyed the expanded perspective on middle eastern life. I connected with the author's take on the English word "inns" being used for the Greek word for "guest rooms" in people's homes. Nevertheless, regardless of how you slice it, our Savior was born in humble circumstances.

[@brendafarris7350]

So much good information!

[@arrluk8154]

One other symbolic meaning behind the swaddling that I heard this week. The firstborn lambs meant for sacrifice were swaddled to protect them and keep them without blemish. So it’s another reminder that this is the Lamb of God, and the shepherds would have understood that. Also, I believe agoraphobia (fear of open spaces) is the opposite of claustrophobia 😊

[@mrsmorris265]

Mary's 40 days were a blessing to her, a quiet time free from social and religious obligations. Not a punishment. (And any mother will tell you the uncleanness during that time is physical, not unworthiness). The trip to the temple 40 days after -its mother's rest after the tribulation of the 4th trimester (and as one who has morning sickness only AFTER baby's born- that 40 days after birth is quite the wilderness to go through. It takes about 40 days before I'm able to remember myself again. I love reading the babe in the temple section.

[@sherielink601]

First thing I thought of with birds/dove being the offering at temple is symbolism of dove being the holy ghost when Jesus was baptized.

[@misschelle55]

I love that the Christmas story is in January. Considering that the 12 Days of Christmas actually begins on December 25 and goes until January 7… the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. I completely agree with you that it doesn’t matter WHEN we celebrate the birth of the Savior, just be sure to not leave the baby in the manger. Celebrate the glory of what transpired and what continues to transpire. Continue to bring the glad tidings with the angels who announced the blessed birth. ♥️♥️♥️

[@carolhuleteads5846]

Thanks for your insight. Please number your videos like week 3 part 1 of 2 after the name of the lessons or just number videos for the year 1 through 90 so I don't get lost lol I am trying to keep up but I want to make sure I don't skip any.

[@twoplustwoequalsfour48]

I think it’s AMAZING! My favorite channel

[@JohnBillings78]

I am so excited, because I just saw this as I was listening to this podcast this morning. Considering the Gospel of John as an allegory of the restoration and gathering of Israel, the nativity story is found in Revelation 12:1-7, with reference to the mother of Christ given in John 2:12. The mother has been hidden for 1,260 years, from the dragon, waiting for Joseph (a smith, or builder) to prepare a place for her and her child to welcome the awaiting Israel to come home. In the first chapter of the Gospel of John, intead of a star is 'The Word', and instead of wise men or shepherds, are five witnesses, two brothers and three others. On Temple Square in SLC these five witnesess stand in bronze.

[@deedeemorgan4123]

If verse 37 was the beginning of a new sentence then Anna was 84. But there’s a “;” after virginity in 36. Therefore, she was married 7 years and widowed 84 years. She is easily over 100 yrs.

[@elainekoeppel7250]

In the song. “Was I there”. I believe we were there it was the most important event so why shouldn’t we look down and watch this

[@b1of4bs]

Sounds right, and it makes me happy to think of that.

[@RKBangertersTinyFarm]

Dear Brother Halverson, how we love you, your knowledge, your inspiration and gift to us to guide and help us understand these glorious scriptures. We do have a question about the JST in the scriptures concerning Luke 2:7. Referencing inn's'. , my husband and my self, do no have, in the JST, any Luke 2. Our JST begins with Luke 3. We found ourselves rather frustrated that our reference tools were not up to date and questioned when Luke 2 was added to the JST . If you could update us we'd be very grateful. Warmest gratitude from Ken and RaNae Bangerter.

[@socorrozamarripa9567]

As much as I would love to take your classes in person, I could not. I would be kicked out because all I would do is cry the whole time.

[@mariarubio6917]

Same! I sob as we near the end of the year.

[@PoohInTiggerDisguise]

Is there a place where I can ask Jared Halveson a question about the gospel?

[@novawarren5089]

Beautiful Video and still enjoying your videos 😍😻 cat also 😍 My cat enjoyed taking down the Tree and other things Poor Tree 😻😂😂😂😂

[@DoctorSuezz]

Awe... that's cute. A little catatude during the video. Lol. My tree is still staring at me... however, my small dog believes it's his tree. Uses it for a hiding place and a back scratcher. 😐 I think he's cute though, so he can pretend another day longer. 😆

[@JohnBillings78]

​@@DoctorSuezz, we had to change the skirt of our tree because of what our dogs did, lol.

[@DoctorSuezz]

@@JohnBillings78 ohhhh, nooooo,,, that would be everyone's worst nightmare. Lol. 😆😅

[@chriswinder3558]

Along with so many others, I would just like to thank you for being willing to spend the time and put together these videos. I have come to know my Savior in much deeper ways than I had before. I do have a question, though. I will often listen to the podcast of Unshaken, and take note of 'time stamps' for things I want to revisit when preparing a FHE or Sunday School lesson. When I revisit, I go to the actual video. Today I was trying to find your discussion of how the shepherds could have reacted to the announcement of the angel. In the podcast it is around minute 33:41. Here in the video it is around minute 50:25. Also, the podcast is a total of 2:18:40 for this week, but the video is two recordings that total about 2 1/2 hours. Can you please tell me what the difference between the podcast and the youtube recording is so that I can better find correlating ideas between the two?

[@annekolle2851]

I had heard that the swaddling cloth was embroidered or dyed with the genealogy of the infant. Have you heard that?

[@lindavancott5261]

Odd thought. Speaking of swaddling, did anyone watch the movie of Temple Grandin, the autistic woman who invented that "restraint" that enclosed her to give her a sense of safety and peace (and that she used on cattle to calm them?) Same principle for many. Being enclosed can be calming, especially for a flailing baby.

[@MarianneLampson]

I’d like to know where I can find a copy of the daily study guide Br Halvosrn offers using all 4 standard works?

[@tammystreasures8766]

First I have not watched this video. I spend Mondays reading the scripture assignment and the manual. But I came upon a question that has kind of been working it’s way forward in my brain the last few months. Although I grew up in the church, I did not learn all of the vernacular as I was in a part-active family and religion wasn’t really discussed at home much. (I was married before I knew what the Plan of Salvation referred to.) So the phrase I keep hearing and really don’t understand is “Christ is the author and finisher of our faith”. Can you please explain - in dummy terms - what that means?

[@elizabethburr2512]

I thought there might be a good reference on the church website or in conference talks. I couldn't find any. I'll take a stab at describing my understanding. An author writes the story. We know from ancient and modern scriptures. That Christ volunteered in the council in heaven to be our Savior. He created the heavens and the earth under the direction of Heavenly Father. Without His atoning sacrifice, we would have no chance to ever enter Heaven. Those things are the beginning/foundation of our faith that salvation is real and possible. As the finisher, Christ completes and perfects us as we fall short of the ideal required to enter Heaven. He also is the source of our strength, comfort, and courage as we encounter obstacles on the way to "enduring to the end." Without Christ assisting us along the way, we'd never make it. He completes our salvation. The two scripture references I found are Hebrews 12:2 and Moroni 6:4. You can find talks that reference these scriptures at scriptures.byu.edu/. Use the right side of the page to find the verses in the talks.

[@tammystreasures8766]

@@elizabethburr2512 thank you for your kind response. It sounds so simple and obvious the way you explained it. I’m grateful for you and people like you who have the patience to guide me through these questions. Thank you.

[@aliciamilne2314]

To reiterate and deter from the metaphor (which I loved and applies

[@MichaelMike]

Matthew has a Guardian personality type and Luke is an Idealist. Matthew values tradition and authority. Luke values inclusion and harmony.

[@outofideas4143]

@unshaken Consider the meaning of ‘room’ as an actual type of location rather than an empty space, i.e. an area where a woman could give birth privately, rather than a ‘room’ where they could ‘stay/sleep’. Also, it could be that those who Joseph/Mary knew and were going to stay with were being judgmental because they calculated the conception of the baby with the time of their ‘marriage’ and didn’t want them to ‘soil’ their home.

[@shelbyrice5388]

Perhaps it was a blessing that there was “no room“. I have seen videos depicting Bethlehem when Joseph and Mary were there “looking for a room“. It’s very noisy and it’s very crowded. No room in the Inn put them in a quiet, more private area, where she could give birth.

[@elainekoeppel7250]

That was the time that the lambs would be born at night as well as the wolves and bear would come because they would smell the new born lambs

[@gailsylva7945]

I cannot find the chart. Help!

[@gailsylva7945]

found it:)

[@itsbenokay]

@Gail Sylva where did you find it please?

[@wendyhardy4776]

He mentioned it was in the description of the first video of the year.

[@cathyp3702]

I appreciate how the church depicted the birth in “The Christ Child” video of a couple of years ago. If Joseph was “from” Bethlehem, he would have had family there. There is no way they would have left a pregnant Mary with no place to stay. The issue was that the family abode was full of people. The only place for privacy would have been on the side with the animals. This is how they depicted it in the Christ Child…a piece of fabric to separate the animals from the bustle of the rest of the household.

[@lynnettehardy4533]

Interesting little bit of history: the Roman empire was fairly young when Jesus was born. Augustus was the first emperor. Before that, Rome was a Republic. The Romans hated the idea of an emperor. But then came Julius Caesar, who took advantage of current circumstances to stay in power. He was killed because the idea of one man having so much power was unthinkable.

[@ryanmorgan4556]

Where can you find those follow along charts he was talking about? I don't see them in the description.

[@wendyhardy4776]

I believe they are in the description of the first video of the year.

[@ryanmorgan4556]

@@wendyhardy4776 Found it. Thanks.

[@c.p.1807]

Just to add more context: the act of giving birth is messy, often with bodily fluids that were sometimes considered unclean. I'm not sure what the practices were at the time regarding where a woman should give birth, but while in Egypt, Israelites often gave birth outside of the city, under a fruit tree. So no room at an inn could refer to "no place to give birth in the city", leading Mary to give birth outside as though in exile. Symbolic, I think. Plus, it was a midwife's role to clean all the fluid (and the baby). The father wasn't supposed to see any of the process. It's unclear whether Mary had a midwife. All this would be counter to Jewish custom which was to treat a woman in labor as an emergency where you bend over backwards to help her (even on the Sabbath). and also I could be totally wrong about all of this since I have no sources to back me up.

[@lynnettehardy4533]

Claustrophillia: love of small spaces Agoraphobia: fear of open spaces

[@kisserravnsrensen369]

We don’t swaddle babies in Denmark. Seems like cruelty to us. They need to move their arms and legs. When they sleep the have a comfoter or duvet. THANKS for your great service to us. Bless you for it. 🙏❤️🕊🙏

[@JohnBillings78]

My mom is a first generation American from a Danish father and Swedish mother. Thank you for the visual you shared which relates to my roots.

[@VanReusen-Lambourne]

9 ​When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went ​​before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. Matthew states as if the stars was moving. Leading the wise men directly to where Jesus was. In Egypt right? So did the wise sleep during the day and travel at night when they could see the new star. And with all of the Changes in the sky, night after night, GOD orchestrated a beautiful compass for the wise men to follow. Pretty cool…love to hear your thoughts.

[@ilovemybrats2]

01:22:40

[@61aynie]

Who taught Mary to swaddle her baby?

[@b1of4bs]

I imagine this was part of the training for girls in those times, or they observed being done it as they were growing up.

[@elizabethburr2512]

@@b1of4bs Is it also possible that she was still with Elisabeth when John was born?

[@b1of4bs]

That isn't mentioned in the scriptures, but a real historian could answer that better than I can.

[@jdsheppard22]

I am interested in why the King James translators left Miriam's name Hebrew and changed Mary's name. Why do we not call Mary Miriam?

[@Kalamabbfan]

"Agoraphobia" A fear of wide open spaces.

[@amberlarson2148]

I had to look and see if someone had commented this 😂

[@hollayevladimiroff131]

In the scriptures of the bible in Chapter 2 verse 23, the Law it is written in the law of the Lord not LORD. Also, the womb shall be called holy to the LORD, not Lord. This is in the actual scriptures in the bible the word of God. Jesus is not the biological baby of the Father, God sent Jesus to the earth to be our Savior. He came and was now part human and part God to deliver our salvation. Jesus is full of divinity and God has given him everything. John 3:34 For He whom God has sent speaks the word of God, for God does not give the Spirit in measure. 15.The Father has given all things into His (Jesus) hands. Ephes 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love. 19. To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all fullness of God, the God of the bible.

[@ronaldkirk4454]

there is much truth in your comment, however the gospel according to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints doctrine differs with regards to your statement "Jesus is not the biological baby of the Father"

[@JohnBillings78]

​@@ronaldkirk4454It occurs to me that the author was referencing Joseph as 'the father'. I agree that it appears to be referencing God. No disrespect.

[@garyball2843]

The opposite of Claustrophobia is Agoraphobia.

[@icecreamladydriver1606]

Sorry dude but you got that one wrong and gave bad advice. There will be those who wake their baby when she needs to sleep and when dad cant get the crying baby to settle down he will hand her over to mom. So dads out there spend all the time with little ones that you can but please try not to wake the baby.lol