What Book In The Bible Tells Of Jesus Birth

The Christmas Bible Story: Read the Nativity of Jesus in Scripture

The Story of Jesus Christ’s Birth (Luke 2:1-7ESV) In ancient days, an edict was issued by Caesar Augustus requiring that everyone on the planet be registered. When Quirinius was governor of Syria, this was the first time a register was made. And they all went to their respective towns to get registered. And Joseph traveled from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is known as Bethlehem because he was descended from the family and lineage of David, in order to be registered with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant.

And she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn where they had been staying.

1:18-25, the birth of Jesus Christ, is recorded in the Bible.

As soon as his mother Mary became engaged to Joseph, she was discovered to be expecting a child from the Holy Spirit before the two of them could be married.

He was thinking about these things when an angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and said, “Do not be afraid; I am with you.” “Do not be afraid, Joseph, son of David, to take Mary as your wife, since the child that is conceived in her is the work of the Holy Spirit.

The moment Joseph awoke from his dream, he did what the angel of the Lord had instructed him: he married Mary and didn’t reveal his identity to her until she had given birth to a son.

In which book of the Bible is the birth of Jesus told? Is it Matt.

Welcome to the QuestionAndAnswersection of FunTrivia! All Questions Can Be Found By Searching Please back up any factual assertions you make with citation links or references to reliable sources of information. Submissions and allegations are constantly being rechecked by the editors. QuestionsQuestion86975, which has been archived. The question was posed bynibbles0011. Actually, both of them. For Christians, the authoritative narratives are those found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, which are both included in the New Testament of the Bible and are considered to be canonical.

The Gospel of Mark, considered to be the earliest of the canonical gospels, is deafeningly quiet on the subject of the birth of Jesus.” Oct.

Both – the book of Matthew relates the story of Jesus’ ancestry and provides a more succinct narrative of his birth than the book of Luke.

(Luke 2:7). (Luke 2:7). On earth, peace and goodwill toward mankind; glory to God in the highest; and on the earth, glory to God in the highest” (Luke 2:14) If you’ve ever heard the Christmas tale read aloud, it’s likely that Luke was the one who did it. Oct. 7, 2007 at 8:35 p.m.

Birth of Jesus – Bible Story

This is a condensed version of the Biblical narrative of Jesus’ birth. To further comprehend the significance of this world-changing event in the Bible, you may read more in-depth Bible verses from theScripturebelow and watch the articles and movies that accompany them. In the year 2000, a young lady from the village of Nazareth named Mary was visited by an angel named Gabriel, who spoke to her in a dream. The angel Gabriel informed the Jewish lady that she would become the mother of a boy named Jesus, who would later be revealed to be the Son of God.

  • When Mary’s story was conveyed to Joseph, he was saddened and perplexed since he did not trust her.
  • When the Roman emperor ordered a census of all people to be taken in Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph were forced to leave their home in Nazareth and come to Bethlehem.
  • The inns were completely booked.
  • Mary and Joseph sat down on the hay in a barn with animals resting around them and began to pray.
  • The manger, which served as a feeding bowl for the animals, was most likely the sole area for the sleeping infant to lay.
  • The happy news of the birth of the Savior and Messiah, Jesus Christ, was delivered to them by an angel.
  • After some time had passed, three wise men, sometimes known as magi, were able to recognize the dazzling star in the sky that had appeared above the location where Jesus was born.
  • During the wise men’s journey, Herod the king of Judah met with them and instructed them to return and inform him of the location of the infant king so that he might go and adore him as well.
  • They bowed their heads in reverence and presented the Savior with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Celebrate the birth of Christ by printing off your FREE copy of Beautiful Christmas Bible Verses printable to read and share with your family and friends this holiday season.

Continue reading below for the whole Scripture scriptures that relate to the stories of Jesus’ birth in the Bible books of Luke and Matthew: As part of our bigger Christmas and Advent resource library, which focuses on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, this piece is included.

What really is Christmas?

The history of the 25th of December Advent is defined as the period between the months of December and January. The Symbolism of the Christmas Tradition Bible Verses for the Holidays The Bible’s Narrative Image courtesy of istock

Bible Gateway passage: Luke 2:1-20 – New International Version

At that time, Caesar Augustus A)”>(A) issued a proclamation ordering a census to be conducted over the whole Roman realm. B)”>(B) 2 (This was the first census that took place whileQuirinius was governor of Syria.) C)”>(C) 3After that, everyone traveled to their own towns to register. Four years after his father’s death, Joseph traveled north to Judea, specifically Bethlehem D)”>(D)the town of David, because he was descended from the house and line of David. 5He went to the registry office to register with Mary, who had agreed to marry him E)”>(E) and was expecting a kid at the time.

  • Moreover, there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping an eye on their flocks throughout the nighttime hours.
  • 10However, the angel assured them, saying, “Do not be terrified.
  • 11Today, in the town of David, a Savior H)”>(H)has been born to you; he is the Messiah, I)”>(I)the Lord; he is the Savior H)”>(H)of the world.
  • After the angels left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s travel to Bethlehem and see what has occurred, as the Lord has informed us.” So they set out for Bethlehem, as the Lord had instructed them.
  • m)”>(m)17When the shepherds came across him, they immediately spread the news about what they had been informed about the infant, and everyone who heard it was surprised at what the shepherds had spoken to them.
  • N)”>(N) 20They returned, worshiping and praising God O)”>(O)for all they had heard and seen, which had been exactly as they had been informed.
  • Read the entire chapter.

Footnotes

New International Version (New International Version) (NIV) NIV® stands for New International Version® of the Holy Bible. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, and 2012 byBiblica, Inc.®Used with permission from the owner.

All rights are retained around the world. The New International Version (NIV) Reverse Interlinear Bible provides translations from English to Hebrew and from English to Greek. Zondervan has copyright protection till the year 2019.

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However, while the Bible never specifies a specific date (including day, month, and year), there are some broad clues of the year as well as the season of the year. Because the apostle Paul specifically told Timothy that he already had what he needed for salvation—the Scriptures he had learned since his youth (the Old Testament), along with the added understanding of faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior—it is clear that an exact date for Christ’s birth is not required for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

  1. Let’s start with the time of year and the season of the year.
  2. During that time period, according to verse 8, there were shepherds who were out in the fields with their sheep.
  3. They’d bring the sheep inside throughout the winter months.
  4. Because December is a chilly and wet month in Judea, it is likely that the shepherds sought refuge for their animals during the evening hours ” (p.
  5. According to The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, this text argues “against the birth taking place on December 25 since the weather would not have enabled” shepherds looking over their flocks in the fields at night to take place.
  6. When it came to taking a census in the midst of winter, the Romans should have known better than to do so when temperatures frequently plummeted below freezing and roads were in terrible condition for travel.
  7. In that portion of Scripture, we may at the very least determine that He was not born during one season: the winter.

In this case, a prophesy from the book of Daniel is useful.

Throughout the book of Hebrews, it is explained how Christ’s sacrifice rendered the Old Testament sacrificial system obsolete (chapters 8, 9 and 10).

As a result, we infer that His ministry lasted 3 1/2 years, with the remaining 3 1/2 years to be finished at a later date.

(Luke 3:23).

The birth of John the Baptist, who was born in the fall, lends more support to this theory, and in fact serves as a more conclusive proof of it.

Abijah was a priest of the order of Abijah, and John the Baptist’s father, Zacharias, was a priest of same order.

During the feast seasons, they would all serve together as a group.

After completing the arithmetic, it becomes clear that he was serving around the beginning of June, and that he returned home to his wife, Elizabeth, about the middle of June in order for her to conceive while he was still serving.

Then, according to Luke 1:26, an angel came to Mary, telling her that she would become pregnant with her Son during Elizabeth’s sixth month of pregnancy.

This might explain why Joseph and Mary were unable to find accommodation in the usual hotels or “inns” in the vicinity of Jerusalem (Luke 2:7).

This has been the topic of significant debate, but it appears that we have been able to uncover some hints once more.

In addition, Matthew 2 informs us that Herod (the Great) reigned as king shortly following the birth of Christ.

Although it is impossible to pinpoint the exact date when people began celebrating Christmas on December 25, historians generally believe that it wasn’t until sometime around the fourth century that the tradition began.

This is an incredibly late deadline. For around 300 years after Christ’s death, Christmas was not recognized in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, according to historical records. Its beginnings demonstrate that it cannot be traced back to the first Christian communities on the planet.

Read the Complete Christmas Story of the Birth of Jesus in the Bible

However, while the Bible never specifies a specific date (including day, month, and year), there are some basic markers of the year and season of the year in the Bible. Because the apostle Paul specifically told Timothy that he already had what he needed for salvation—the Scriptures he had learned since his youth (the Old Testament), along with the added understanding of faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior—it is clear that an exact date for Christ’s birth is not necessary for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15).

  • Starting with the time of year, let’s talk about the season.
  • Shepherds were out in the fields with their flocks, according to verse 8, at the time of the flood.
  • Sheep were herded into a barn during the winter months.
  • Because December is a chilly and wet month in Judea, it is likely that the shepherds sought refuge for their animals during the evening hours ” (p.
  • According to The Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary, this passage argues “against the birth taking place on December 25 because the weather would not have permitted” shepherds watching over their flocks in the fields at night to do their jobs.
  • When it came to taking a census in the middle of winter, the Romans should have known better than to do so when temperatures frequently dropped below freezing and roads were in poor condition for travel.
  • That passage of Scripture does provide us with one season during which He was not born, namely, the winter season.
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The book of Daniel contains a prophecy that is relevant in this situation.

His sacrifice, according to the book of Hebrews, put an end to the need for the Old Testament’s sacrificial system (chapters 8, 9 and 10).

Accordingly, we can conclude that His ministry lasted 3 1/2 years, with the remaining 3 1/2 years to be completed at a future date.

Once all of this is taken into consideration, it is most likely that He was born six months before Passover, or sometime during the fall.

The story is told in Luke 1.

For most of King David’s reign, the priests were assigned to serve at various times throughout the week, beginning with the first week of the month Nisan and progressing through each subsequent Sabbath.

In the eighth course, Abijah appeared (1 Chronicles 24:10).

So, according to tradition, John the Baptist was born nine months later, most likely in late March or early April.

In other words, Jesus Christ was six months younger than John the Baptist, which means He was likely born in late September, when Jerusalem was bustling with people attending the autumnal festivals.

Finally, it’s time to look ahead to the coming year.

In Luke 2:1-2, we are told that Jesus Christ was born during Caesar Augustus’ reign, during the first census, when Quirinius was governor.

Due to the fact that Herod died sometime around 4 or 3 B.C., and some records indicate that Quirinius was in power in 4 B.C., we believe that Christ was most likely born in late September of that year.

This is a ridiculously late date to announce something.

Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, did not observe Christmas until approximately 300 years after the death of Christ. Its origins demonstrate that it cannot be traced back to the earliest Christian communities, as previously believed by some.

Question for Reflection

Following the shepherds’ visit to Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, Mary had some time to privately ponder on their words and the news they delivered them of the angel of the Lord’s visit to them. Mary treasured their remarks and returned to them again and again in her mind. Her inability to comprehend that the infant she held in her arms, a fragile newborn baby, was the Saviour of the world must have been beyond her comprehension. Do you appreciate God’s words and his will when he speaks to you and demonstrates his will in your life, like Mary did, and reflect about them often in your heart?

Where to Find the Christmas Story in Your Bible

Matthew 1:18-25, 2:1-12; Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20; John 1:18-25, 2:1-12.

The Angel Gabriel Foretells the Birth of Jesus

Mary, a young adolescent living in the hamlet of Nazareth, was engaged to be married to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter, around the time of Jesus’ birth. God sent the angel Gabriel to pay a visit to Mary one day. The angel announced to Mary that she would become pregnant via the power of the Holy Spirit. She would become the mother of this child, whom she would call Jesus. The words of the angel first alarmed and worried Mary, and she feared for her safety. Because she was a virgin, Mary questioned the angel, saying, “How can this be?” The angel said that the kid would be God’s own Son and that with God, nothing was impossible.

In all likelihood, Mary’s thoughts were filled with awe as she read the words of Isaiah 7:14: “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and he will be named Immanuel.” (NIV)

The Angel Visits Joseph

The angel had predicted that Mary would become pregnant while she was betrothed to Joseph, and she did just that. When she informed Joseph, it’s probable that he felt embarrassed and humiliated. He was well aware that the kid was not his his, and he was also aware that Mary’s seeming unfaithfulness would have resulted in a severe societal disgrace. Under Jewish law, Joseph not only had the authority to divorce Mary, but he also had the authority to have her stoned to death. Joseph, on the other hand, was a good-hearted man.

He didn’t want to embarrass her any further, so he chose to keep his mouth shut.

She had, in fact, created a child via the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

When Joseph awoke from his dream, he eagerly obeyed God and married Mary despite the public disgrace he would experience as a result of his decision. One of the reasons God picked Joseph to be the earthly father of the Messiah was because of his noble character.

The Birth of Jesus

At that point, Caesar Augustus decided that an acensus would be convened to resolve the dispute. Every individual in the Roman world was required to return to his or her place of birth in order to register. Because Joseph was descended from King David, he was needed to travel to Bethlehem in order to register with Mary. The city of Bethlehem was a tiny settlement located around five miles southwest of the capital city of Jerusalem. The infant Jesus was born when the family was in Bethlehem. The census resulted in an overcrowding of the inn, and Mary had to give birth in a makeshift stable.

Shepherds Worship the Savior

Shepherds were watching their flocks of sheep in a neighboring field when an angel of the Lord came to them that night, according to the Bible. God’s light shone around the angel as it reported that the Saviour of the world had been born in the town of David, and the angel’s voice was filled with joy. The guys were worried, but the angel calmed them by saying, “Do not be intimidated. I have fantastic news to share with you that will bring tremendous delight to the entire community. In the town of David, on this day in history, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord ” (Luke 2:10-11).

“Glory to God in the highest sky, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor falls,” they sang (Luke 2:14).

Let us have a look at the Christ-child!” They raced to the hamlet, where they discovered Mary, Joseph, and the child.

After that, they continued on their trip, praising and worshiping God all the way.

The Magi Bring Gifts

The birth of Jesus took place during the reign of Herod, the ruler of Judea. A brilliant star was seen to wise men (Magi) from the east at this time. They followed it because they were aware that the star represented the birth of the Jewish king. The three wise men went to the Jewish rulers in Jerusalem and inquired about the location of the Christ’s birth. They explained, “In Bethlehem in Judea,” pointing to Micah 5:2 in their explanation. Herod met with the Magi in private and instructed them to report back as soon as they discovered the kid.

Secretly, however, Herod was hatching a plan to murder the infant.

They discovered Jesus and his mother in the town of Bethlehem. The Magi bowed and adored him, presenting him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh as thanks. When they left, they did not return to Herod’s residence. His plan to destroy the kid had been foreshadowed by a dream that they shared.

Lessons and Points of Interest From the Story

  • By the time the three wise men came to see Jesus, he was about two years old
  • As predicted by the prophet Isaiah, Jesus was given the nameImmanuel (which means “God with us”). God took on the form of a man and came to dwell among us. Similarly to how the Holy Spirit made this possible in the Christmas narrative, the same Spirit is responsible for making Jesus Christ present in the lives of all believers today. More than 500 years before the Christmas tale, the Christmas angel, Gabriel, appeared not only to Zecharia and Mary, but also to Daniel the prophet
  • Mary was an unexpected choice to be honored with the position of mother to the Savior
  • And the name of Jesus is a mystery even to the prophet Isaiah. She was a young, impoverished woman. According to the standards of her day and the expectations of her people, these characteristics would have disqualified her as someone God would desire to employ for any significant purpose. You may feel unqualified to serve God in the same way that Mary did. Mary, on the other hand, put her faith in God and meekly obeyed him. Don’t place any restrictions on God or what he might wish to do with your life. If you put your faith in him, he will utilize you as well.

The Ultimate Collection of Bible Verses to Celebrate Christmas

Are you seeking for Scriptures to read on Christmas Eve or on Christmas Day? Perhaps you’re putting together a Christmas family devotional, or perhaps you’re just looking for Bible passages to include in your Christmas cards and greeting cards. Various themes and events surrounding the Christmas narrative and the birth of Jesus are represented in this collection of Christmas Bible verses, which is organized alphabetically by verse. It’s easy to become distracted by Christmas decorations such as trees, lights, and ornaments.

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

Matthew 1:18-25 (New International Version) This was the manner in which Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph at the time of his birth. However, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit before to the wedding, while she was still a virgin, and she gave birth to the child before the wedding. Joseph, with whom she was engaged, was a virtuous guy who did not want to bring her into disgrace in front of others, so he opted to end the engagement in private.

  • This is a message from the angel to Joseph, son of David: “Do not be frightened to accept Mary as your wife,” the angel said.
  • In addition, she will give birth to a son, whom you are to name Jesus, because he will rescue his people from their sins.” All of this transpired in order to bring the Lord’s word via his prophet to completion: “Behold!
  • “She will give birth to a boy, whom they will name Immanuel, which is a Hebrew word that means ‘God is with us.’ When Joseph regained consciousness, he followed the instructions of the angel of the Lord and married Mary.
  • And Joseph gave him the name Jesus.
  • (This was the first census conducted during Quirinius’ tenure as ruler of Syria.) And then everyone traveled to their own towns to register.
  • He went to the church to register with Mary, who had agreed to marry him and was expecting a child with him at the time.
  • Due to the fact that there were no rooms available at the inn, she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a corner.
  • They were startled when an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord blazed around them as he appeared to them.
  • I’m bringing you wonderful news that will bring great delight to everyone who hears it.
  • If you look in the manger, you will see a baby wrapped in clothes and lying there.

This will serve as a sign for you.” In a flash, the angel was accompanied by a large number of members of the celestial army, who praised God and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to mankind upon whom his favor is bestowed.” (NIV84)

The Visit of the Shepherds

Luke 2:15-20 (KJV) The shepherds spoke among themselves after the angels had departed for heaven and informed them of what had occurred: “Let us journey over to Bethlehem and witness what has happened, which the Lord has informed us about.” And they hurriedly arrived, where they discovered Mary and Joseph, as well as the infant lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they immediately shared the statement that had been shared with them about this particular kid. And everyone who heard it was taken aback by what the shepherds had told them.

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And the shepherds returned, celebrating and thanking God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been described to them beforehand.

The Visit of the Magi (Wise Men)

Matthew 2:12 – 12:12 When Herod was ruler of Judea, Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem. The wise men from the east arrived in Jerusalem shortly after Jesus’ birth. When they inquired, “Where has the one who was born to be King of the Jews gone?” “We have come to adore him because we have seen his star rising.” When King Herod and the entire city of Jerusalem learned about this, they got alarmed. He gathered all of the leading priests and scribes in one place, and he attempted to learn from them where the Messiah was said to have been born.

  • This is what the prophet said regarding Bethlehem in the country of Judah: “Bethlehem in the land of Judah, you are by no means last among the leaders of Judah.” You will be the source of a leader.
  • He then surreptitiously contacted the wise men in order to learn the precise time the star had first emerged in their sky.
  • As soon as you have located him, please report back to me so that I may also go and adore him.” After hearing the king’s speech, they set out on their journey.
  • They were overcome with excitement at seeing the star.
  • As a result, they bent their heads and worshipped him.
  • God appeared to them in a dream and cautioned them not to return to Herod.
  • (GW)

Peace on Earth

Luke 2:14 is a passage from the Bible that explains how God created the world. In the highest, all honor and glory to God, and on earth, peace and good will toward mankind.

Immanuel

Isaiah 7:14 (KJV) As a result, the Lord himself will provide you with a sign: see, a virgin will conceive and have a son, whom she will name Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

The Gift of Eternal Life

1 John 5:11 (New International Version) As a result, God has given us eternal life, which is found in his Son, as evidenced by the following: Paul writes in Romans 6:23 that Because the price of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. John 3:16 is a biblical passage that teaches that God is love. In fact, God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that whomever believes in him will not perish but but have eternal life with him.

10:27-28 (John 10:27-28) It is my voice that attracts the attention of my sheep; I recognize them and they follow me. They will never expire because I have given them eternal life. No one will ever be able to take them away from me.

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

1 John 5:11 is a verse that states that As a result, God has given us eternal life, which is found in his Son, as evidenced by the following statement: Romans 6:23 is a verse that says Because the price of sin is death, but the free gift of God is everlasting life through faith in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour 1 John 3:16 (John 3:16 is the foundational verse of the Christian faith). Due to God’s great love for the world, he sent his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

However, when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, it was not through our works of righteousness that we were saved, but through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that we might be declared righteous in His sight and inherit eternal life as heirs, according to the hope of eternal life.

Jesus’ words in John 10:27-28.

They will never expire because I have granted them eternal life.

Mary’s Song

Luke 1:46-55 (KJV) And Mary shared her thoughts: “My soul exalts the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, because he has taken note of the lowly position in which he has placed his humble servant. From this day forward, all generations will refer to me as blessed, since the Mighty One has done great things for me—his name is sacred. Those who fear him will continue to be protected by him from generation to generation. The enormous achievements he has accomplished with his arm have scattered those who are haughty in their inner thoughts.

He has provided nice things for the hungry, but he has sent the wealthy leave empty-handed.

Zechariah’s Song

Luke 1:67-79 (NLT) When Zechariah’s father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, he prophesied the following: “Thank the Lord, who is the God of Israel, for having arrived and delivered his people from their affliction. His holy prophets foretold that he would raise up a horn of salvation for us in the house of David, salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—to show mercy to our fathers and remember his holy covenant, the oath he made to our father Abraham: to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him for the rest of our lives.

Because of the tender mercy of our God, you, my child, will be referred to as a prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord in order to prepare his way, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those who are living in darkness and under the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Jesus’s Birth in the New Testament: One Event — Four Narratives

When the majority of people think of the Christmas tale, they conjure up images of a single biblical narrative that includes characters such as the holy family, the midnight hour, a barn full of farm animals, shepherds, angels, wise men, and a sleepy little town known as Bethlehem. That many of the elements commonly associated with the nativity story originate in Christmas carols, as well as the fact that the true source for this event—the Gospels of the New Testament—deal with Jesus’ birth in four very different, but not contradictory, ways, may come as a big surprise to some people.

The Gospel of Mark

Although it is possible that Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark, early Church tradition holds that it reflects the preaching and message of the Apostle Peter. Although Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark, according to early Church tradition, it symbolizes the preaching and message of the Apostle Peter. The birth of Jesus is not mentioned in Mark’s Gospel, which is a significant oversight. The calling of John the Baptist in the desert serves as the starting point for Mark’s account of Jesus. During Jesus’ visit to John the Baptist’s baptismal font, we see him for the first time in this Gospel.

Mark addressed his gospel to the Romans of his day, and he highlights the paradoxical message of Jesus as Lord’s covert service in the midst of their daily lives.

This exquisite picture of hidden and radical service by one who has all authority (the Lord) calls the audience of this Gospel to emulate the example of Jesus, who as Lord defined his mission and ministry by His service to others in a Roman society that was deeply divided into social classes of honor and status in the First Century.

The Gospel of Matthew

In sharp contrast to Mark’s “story of omission,” Matthew opens his account with a detailed genealogy that establishes Jesus as a descendant of King David and Abraham. Already in this passage, Matthew demonstrates his particular interest in and the targeted audience for his Gospel. He is writing to the Jews, and he portrays Jesus as a king superior to David and a teacher superior to Moses, among other things. The role of Joseph is highlighted in Matthew’s birth narratives, who describes Joseph as “a good man” in his description of the event.

As the author of Matthew’s gospel, he takes great effort to demonstrate how the birth of Jesus matches prophesies made in the Old Testament, and he makes use of these prophecies to depict Jesus as governor, ruler of Israel, prince, and God’s Son.

Matthew depicts Jesus as the King of the Jews, who has been granted all authority in Heaven and on Earth, in fulfillment of the prophesies and hopes of the Hebrew Scriptures, as he tells the story of his birth in his stirring birth narrative. He is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”

The Gospel of Luke

Luke’s Gospel is an attempt, in his own words, to organize “an orderly narrative” of the birth, ministry, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as well as his death and resurrection from the dead. For the most part, Luke’s Gospel is written for Gentiles, and it is particularly concerned with the historically marginalized and ignored populations in First Century Mediterranean communities. As a result, Luke’s Gospel is replete with allusions to women, children, the ill, the destitute, and marginalized people groups such as the Samaritains.

The birth narrative in Luke’s Gospel is the longest of the four Gospels, and it pays particular emphasis to the function of the Holy Spirit as well as the involvement of the women in the event.

Luke, with a human focus, recalls the “homeless” position of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, the special care provided to the infant Jesus when he is born, and the transformation of a humble feeding trough into a cradle for the newborn Jesus.

Shepherds in their everyday lives are the first ones to see this beautiful occurrence and serve as the first ambassadors of God’s peace and kindness toward mankind on this planet.

The Gospel of John

The Gospel of John, which is thought to be the latest of the four Gospels to be written, describes the birth of Jesus in heavenly, if not spiritual, themes and language, according to scholars. Presented as a second “Genesis account,” this Gospel, written by the disciple who had experienced such love from Jesus that he identified himself as the one loved by Jesus, tells the story of Jesus’ birth as if it were the first. According to John, the commencement of this birth occurred in Heaven: Jesus, the Word, existed in the beginning and was God.

“.and the Word became flesh and lived among us,” says John, as he depicts the birth of Jesus in stunning words.

The Divine characteristics of Jesus are the primary topic of John’s Gospel.

The fact that this birth is the most momentous event in the history of the planet is clearly communicated by John in his writing. This act, which reflects the creation of the heavens and the world, is a manifestation of God becoming human and illuminating His light in the darkness.

Summary – Four Gospels

Each of the four Gospels in the New Testament presents a distinct and yet complementary vision of Jesus — and this is clear in the way they each describe Jesus’ birth: Jesus is presented as the King of the Jews, deserving of obedience and worship; Luke depicts a compassionate Savior who brings good news and liberation to the poor, neglected, and marginalized; Mark depicts Jesus as the Lord who serves in secret and thus demonstrates a new way, free from the struggle for supremacy and status; and, finally, John depicts Jesus as God, who comes as the Word become flesh and shines in the darkness to usher in a new day in this world.

See also:  When Did Jesus Start Teaching

May we take advantage of this Advent season and time of celebration to rediscover the moving birth tales found in the Gospels of the New Testament?

Corné J.

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What history really tells us about the birth of Jesus

It’s possible that I’m going to destroy your Christmas. Sorry. However, the fact is that those nativity performances in which your darling children are decked out in tinsel and angel wings bear little similarity to what truly occurred. This is also true of the typical Christmas card, which depicts a calm nativity scene. Traditions are collections of diverse narratives that represent a later Christian piety, and they are classified as such. So, what really transpired at that fabled “first Christmas” celebration?

The Christian church designated the day we commemorate as Christ’s birthday in the fourth century, and it has been celebrated ever since.

Contrary to common perception, which holds that Christians merely adopted a pagan celebration, historian Andrew McGowan thinks that the date was chosen because it was associated with Jesus’ crucifixion in the thoughts of ancient theologians.

The inn

Only two of the four gospels in the Bible make mention of Jesus’ conception. The tale of the angel Gabriel coming to Mary, the couple’s travel to Bethlehem in order to take part in a census, and the shepherds’ visit are all told in detail by Luke. With the Magnificat, her visit to her cousin Elizabeth, her personal meditation on the events, dozens of angels, and the infamous inn with no room among other things, this film is an absolute must-see for everyone who loves Mary. There is a long-standing misconception about the inn with “no space” in the Christmas tale, and this is one of the most common examples.

Joseph and Mary most likely stayed with family, but the guest room was too tiny for a delivery, and as a result, Mary gave birth in the main room of the home, which also happened to be where animal mangers were located.

Hence Because there was no place for them in their guest room, Luke 2:7 may be interpreted as “she gave birth to her firstborn son, swaddled him, and lay him in the feeding trough.”

The wise men

The account of Mary’s pregnancy is told in a similar way in Matthew’s gospel, albeit from a somewhat different perspective. When the angel visits to Joseph this time, he is informed that his fiancée Mary is pregnant, but that he must still marry her since it is part of God’s plan for him. Shepherds come to see Jesus as a symbol of his significance to common people, as Luke does, but the magi (wise men) from the east deliver Jesus royal presents, as Matthew does. There were most likely not three magi present, and they were certainly not kings.

  • The number three is derived from the mention of three gifts — gold, frankincense, and myrrh – during the Christmas season.
  • King Herod’s instructions to murder infant boys up to the age of two, according to the magi’s report regarding Jesus’s age, are recorded in Matthew 2:16, according to the Bible.
  • The presence of animals gathered around the newborn Jesus and Mary riding a donkey are conspicuously lacking from these biblical tales.
  • Whenever Christians now congregate around a crib or build up an elaborate nativity scene in their homes, they are carrying on a tradition that began with St.
  • He brought a crib and animals into the chapel so that everyone attending might feel like they were a part of the narrative.
  • Later art depicting the adoring of the infant Jesus displays a devotional spirituality that is akin to this.

A radical Christmas

So, when we strip the story down to its biblical and historical essence, removing the stable, the animals, the cherub-like angels, and even the inn, what do we have left? We have nothing. The historical Jesus was born into a Jewish family that was forced to live under a foreign rule. In his early years, he was born into an extended family that had moved away from home, and his family had fled from a monarch who had wanted to assassinate him due to his political significance. In its historical context, the story of Jesus is one of human terror and divine mercy, of human abuse and divine love, and of human abuse and divine love.

There is nothing wrong with the devotional piety of Christian tradition; but, a white-washed nativity tableau risks overlooking the most revolutionary components of the Christmas tale.

He, too, was a brown-skinned infant whose Middle-Eastern family had been forced to flee their home as a result of terror and political unrest.

One way to take pleasure in this gift is to watch lovely, if not historically accurate, nativity performances and take pleasure in all the other delights of the season.

But if we nostalgically fixate on one infant whilst disregarding the countless newborns that suffer throughout the world due to politics, religion and poverty, we miss the entire essence of the Christmas tale.

Was Jesus really born in Bethlehem? Why the Gospels disagree over the circumstances of Christ’s birth

Every Christmas, Bethlehem, a very modest village in the Palestinian West Bank, takes center stage: it is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. It is believed that Jesus was born in this village about two millennia ago, according to certain biblical texts. Although the New Testament Gospels all mention Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, they do not all agree on the specifics of his birth. Some passages make no mention of Bethlehem or the birth of Jesus at all. It may be difficult to reconcile the differing viewpoints expressed throughout the Gospels.

Today, genealogy can assist people become more aware of their family’s medical history, as well as find long-lost family relatives.

Gospel of Matthew

Accord to the Gospel of Matthew, which is the first Gospel to be included in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were present in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. The narrative opens with three wise men who travel to the city of Jerusalem after sighting a star that they interpret as heralding the birth of a new ruler. They are the protagonists of the story. This is followed by a description of their meeting with a local Jewish monarch called Herod, whom they approach for information regarding the place of Jesus’ birth.

  • Matthew.
  • These were extremely precious presents, particularly the frankincense and myrrh, which were expensive scents with medical properties.
  • When the three wise men arrived at Herod’s palace with the news that a child had been born who would one day reign as king of the Jews, Herod devised a plot to assassinate all children under the age of five in order to eliminate the danger to his monarchy.
  • After Herod dies as a result of a sickness, Matthew claims that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus do not return to Bethlehem to bury him.

Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of Luke, a biography of Jesus’ life that was written at the same time as the Gospel of Matthew, contains a different story of Jesus’ birth than the Gospel of Matthew. The Gospel of Luke begins with Joseph and a pregnant Mary in the Galilee region of Palestine. They travel to Bethlehem in response to an acensus, which was issued by the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus and demanded of all Jewish people everywhere. Because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he was obligated to register in Bethlehem, which was his homeland at the time.

When Jesus is born, he is filled with rage because all of the tourists had crammed the guest rooms.

Angels, according to Luke, informed these shepherds of Jesus’ location in Bethlehem, and they responded accordingly.

Luke also adds that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus leave Bethlehem eight days after Jesus’ birth and go to Jerusalem, then to Nazareth, according to the Gospel of Luke.

According to John Meier, a historian who specializes in the historical Jesus, Jesus’ “birth at Bethlehem is to be considered not as a historical reality” but rather as a “theological affirmation disguised as an ostensibly factual tale.” In other words, the assumption that Jesus was a descendant of King David resulted in the formation of a myth about Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, which is now widely accepted.

According to Raymond Brown, another Gospel expert, “the two tales are not just different – they are diametrically opposed to one other in a number of points.”

Mark’s and John’s Gospels

The birth of Jesus in a manger is shown in this Nativity scene. Swen Pförtner/Getty Images, image courtesy of the picture alliance To make matters worse, neither Jesus’ birth nor his link to Bethlehem are mentioned in the other two Gospels, Mark and John, which makes it much more problematic. The Gospel of Mark, which was written about the year 60 A.D., is the oldest known narrative of Jesus’ life. In the first chapter of Mark, it is said that Jesus hails from the town of Nazareth in Galilee.

  1. The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus as being both from Nazareth and the son of David, who reigned as the second king of Israel and Judah between 1010 and 970 B.C.
  2. He was originally from Bethlehem.
  3. It is also worth noting that the Gospel of John, which was written roughly 15 to 20 years after the Gospel of Mark, does not identify Jesus with Bethlehem.
  4. When Jesus initially arrives in Galilee, he meets his first disciples, performs numerous miracles, and has brothers in the region.
  5. John refers to an argument in which certain Jewish people alluded to a prophesy that said the messiah would be a descendant of David and would arrive from Bethlehem as justification for their position.
  6. The Gospels of Mark and John suggest that the authors either had difficulty connecting Bethlehem with Jesus, were unaware of his birthplace, or were unconcerned about the location in question.
  7. Despite the fact that the apostle Paul, who penned some of the first manuscripts of the New Testament, thought Jesus to be a descendant of David, he did not identify him with Bethlehem.

An ethnic identity

During the time period of Jesus’ life, there were a variety of viewpoints on the Messiah to consider. In one school of Jewish belief, the Messiah was supposed to be an eternal ruler descended from the line of David, as was the case with King David. Further support for this concept may be found in other Jewish books like as the book of Ezra, which was written in the same century as the Gospels, and the Jewish sectarianQumran literature (which was published two centuries earlier). Although it is believed to have been written about B.C.

  • In Matthew’s version, this sentence is repeated once more.
  • Many ancient founders and political leaders were linked to certain individuals through genealogy.
  • Hercules was said to have been a son of Alexander the Great, who reigned over an empire that stretched from Macedonia to India.
  • As well as this, a Jewish writer named Philo who lived in the first century AD said that Abraham, along with all of the Jewish priests and prophets, were created by God.

As the Greek historian Polybius says, the great actions of forebears are “part of the inheritance of posterity” because they are “part of the heritage of posterity.” The presence of the city of Bethlehem in the gospels of Matthew and Luke added to the assertion that Jesus was the Messiah descended from the House of David.

The legends of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem helped to solidify the notion that he was a legitimate descendant of King David.

As a result, today, when the significance of Bethlehem is mentioned in Christmas songs or depicted in Nativity scenes, the name of the town is used to link Jesus to an ancestral lineage as well as the prophetic desire for a new king in the manner of King David.

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