Unto Us a Son Is Given

Anciently, Isaiah prophesied of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ when he wrote, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

In Book of Mormon times, King Benjamin prophesied of Christ when he taught: “The Lord Omnipotent who reigneth … shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles. …

“And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary” (Mosiah 3:5, 8).

The following artwork captures holy events surrounding the birth of the Savior as well as other experiences in His youth.

Blessed Art Thou among Women, by Walter Rane: “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin … ; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, … Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest” (Luke 1:26–28, 30–32).

Behold the Lamb of God, by Walter Rane: “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6–7).

Annunciation to the Shepherds, by Carl Heinrich Bloch: “And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you,” said Samuel the Lamanite about 6 B.C., speaking of the birth of Christ. “And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven” (Hel. 14:5–6).

The Birth of Jesus Christ, by Carl Heinrich Bloch (original at the chapel of Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark, used by permission of the Frederiksborg Museum, may not be copied): “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger” (Luke 2:15–16).

Simeon Reverencing the Christ Child, by Greg K. Olsen (may not be copied): Joseph and Mary brought Jesus “to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord; … And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout. … And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. … And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him” (Luke 2:22, 25–30, 33).

And the Child Grew and Waxed Strong in Spirit, by Walter Rane: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40).

Growing in Wisdom, by Simon Dewey (© Simon Dewey, may not be copied): “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).

Christ in the Temple, by Heinrich Hofmann: “Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. … And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers” (Luke 2:41–43, 46–47).

Photography by Bradley Slade