Q. 358.  Why was Christ born in a stable?  A. Christ was born in a stable because Joseph and Mary were poor and strangers in Bethlehem, and without money they could find no other shelter.  This was permitted by Our Lord that we might learn a lesson from His great humility.

Q. 359.  In giving the ancestors or forefathers of Our Lord, why do the Gospels give the ancestors of Joseph, who was only Christ’s foster-father, and not the ancestors of Mary, who was Christ’s real parent?  A. In giving the ancestors of Our Lord, the Gospels give the ancestors of Joseph:  (1) Because the ancestors of women were not usually recorded by the Jews; and (2) Because Mary and Joseph were members of the same tribe, and had, therefore, the same ancestors; so that, in giving the ancestors of Joseph, the Gospels give also those of Mary; and this was understood by those for whom the Gospels were intended.

Q. 360.  Had Our Lord any brothers or sisters?  A. Our Lord had no brothers or sisters.  When the Gospels speak of His brethren they mean only His near relations.  His Blessed Mother Mary was always a Virgin as well before and at His birth as after it.

Q. 361.  Who were among the first to adore the Infant Jesus?  A. The shepherds of Bethlehem, to whom His birth was announced by Angels; and the Magi or three wise men, who were guided to His crib by a miraculous star, were among the first to adore the Infant Jesus.  We recall the adoration of the Magi on the feast of the Epiphany, which means appearance or manifestation, namely, of Our Saviour.

Q. 362.  Who sought to kill the Infant Jesus?  A. Herod sought to kill the Infant Jesus because he thought the influence of Christ—­the new-born King—­would deprive him of his throne.

Q. 363.  How was the Holy Infant rescued from the power of Herod?  A. The Holy Infant was rescued from the power of Herod by the flight into Egypt, when St. Joseph—­warned by an Angel—­fled hastily into that country with Jesus and Mary.

Q. 364.  How did Herod hope to accomplish his wicked designs?  A. Herod hoped to accomplish his wicked designs by murdering all the infants in and near Bethlehem.  The day on which we commemorate the death of these first little martyrs, who shed their blood for Christ’s sake, is called the feast of Holy Innocents.

Q. 365.  How may the years of Christ’s life be divided?  A. The years of Christ’s life may be divided into three parts:  (1) His childhood, extending from His birth to His twelfth year, when He went with his parents to worship in the Temple of Jerusalem. (2) His hidden life, which extends from His twelfth to His thirtieth year, during which time He dwelt with His parents at Nazareth. (3) His public life, extending from His thirtieth year—­or from His baptism by St. John the Baptist to His death; during which time He taught His doctrines and established His Church.

Q. 366.  Why is Christ’s life thus divided?  A. Christ’s life is thus divided to show that all classes find in Him their model.  In childhood He gave an example to the young; in His hidden life an example to those who consecrate themselves to the service of God in a religious state; and in His public life an example to all Christians without exception.