We started a series of articles about Christ’s lifetime when the Romans’ despotism reached its peak. They were bloodthirsty. A variety of philosophies, which we tackled, had spread. Ideologies varied from one person to another; and each thought he was the wisest ever. Amidst all this, Judea was ruled by selfish men, which shook the country’s stability, replacing it with coercion. In the previous article, we spoke of some Jewish sects which were famous at that time, such as, the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees who were in constant clash with the Pharisees. We also spoke of the Essenes. Thus, during Christ’s lifetime, the people’s mind was torn asunder by the variety of creeds as well as harsh political conditions and bloodshed. Thus, the people strayed from God. In effect, God sent them someone to call for repentance, namely, John the Baptist who served for only six months.
John the Baptist
He was one of the great personae of that time. Christ vouched for him, saying he was the greatest prophet and, among those born of women, there was no one greater than him. Before his birth, the angel announced to his father, Zacharias, the priest, that many people would rejoice at his birth for he would be great before the Lord. He was born six months before Christ. God was with John. He led an ascetic life in the wilderness and started his service at the age of thirty.
John the Baptist called for repentance in the fifteenth year of Caesar Tiberius’ tenure. Religious authority was charged to two high priests, namely, Annas and Caiaphas. No sooner had he started his call, than many people resorted to him, confessing their sins and repenting. John called everybody including king Herod who he told, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife!” Likewise, he told the sentries not to revile anybody or treat him badly. Likewise, he taught the tax-collectors to be merciful, and not to take more than was decreed.
Zacharias and Elizabeth
They are John the Baptist’s parents. They were both righteous before God, “walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Elizabeth, however, was a barren, which was considered a shame, according to the Old Testament. When it was Zacharias’ lot to burn incense, angel Gabriel appeared to him, telling him that God had listened to their prayers, and that they will have a child and call him John. He would be great. Thus, their righteous life was luminous before God, which is why God granted them a child who became a prophet and, at the same time, the angel who guided the people to repentance.
Joseph, the Carpenter
He was also called “Righteous Joseph”. He belonged to Christ’s genealogy, being a descendant of the tribe of Judah. His family was attributed to king David, the prophet. Joseph was born in Bethlehem. He worked as a carpenter. He was a righteous man who was keen on religious rituals and feasts.
Due to his righteousness, God put the Holy Family in his custody, which was not an easy mission. Joseph was an elderly man. He escorted St. Mary to Bethlehem, then to Egypt where the Family led a nomadic life, during which he protected them from all sorts of danger.
Though Joseph witnessed a hard time, he led a holy life, clinging to God with all his heart, which is why God entrusted the custodianship of the Holy Family to him. This he did honestly and with true sacrifice. When the righteous man passed away, he was surrounded by Christ and St. Mary.
Simeon, the Elder
He was one of the seventy elders of Israel who translated the Pentateuch from Hebrew into Greek during the tenure of king Ptolemy, around 272 B.C. He was then dispatched to Jerusalem to bring over seventy Jewish sages, after which he isolated each two in a separate room to guarantee a meticulous translation. It is written that Simeon was a pious man. He lived for about three hundred years until Christ was born. He carried him in his arms and praised the Lord.
Prophetess Anna
Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, was a prophetess. She was a descendant of the tribe of Asher. Her husband died seven years after their marriage. A widow, she resorted to the temple where she secluded herself and led a holy life for eighty-four years. She used fast and pray day and night. Anna witnessed the coming of the Holy Family to the temple and the presence of Simeon the Elder.
St. Mary
Sweet St. Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anne. God announced her birth to them. Solomon, the Sage, prophesied, “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.” Despite the deterioration in spiritual life at that time, she was pure and righteous. Her parents presented her to the temple at the age of three to serve God’s house. Little Mary lived a virtuous life in the temple. She used to fast and pray.
The Shepherds
The shepherds stand for whoever led a virtuous life at that hard time, which is why they deserved the happy annunciation that the angels chanted, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Truly, their names were not mentioned. Yet, the reminiscence of their righteousness shall endure forever.
The Magi
At a time when the world was moaning from the Romans’ despotism, and roaming unguided amidst a variety of deviant ideologies, the Magi appeared to stand for the souls that were searching for God to illuminate their path. The Magi saw star which, as per their knowledge, indicated the birth of a king. So, they carried their presents and followed the star to find that great king. God attracted the Magi to know Him through the means they understood, namely, astrology. Being honest, they followed what they saw and embarked on a dangerous journey: due to its unsafe route as well as the threat of Herod.
Though that time was full of physical and ideological dangers that made humanity stray from God’s path, certain righteous personae followed Him with all their hearts through fasting and prayer. As such, those people deserved to be luminous figures that took part in that great incident: when the fullness of time came about and Christ was born, granting humanity hope and blessing whoever was honest. Christ’s advent fulfills Isaiah’s words: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
What a great story! Stories never end in Beautiful Egypt.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
