What Book In The Bible Is The Birth Of Jesus

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 QuestionsQuestion86975, which has been archived.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

An overview of the biblical story of Jesus’ birth is provided here. 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 videos. A young woman from the village of Nazareth named Mary was visited by an angel named Gabriel over 2,000 years ago today. During a visit to a Jewish lady, Gabriel informed her that she would become the mother of a boy named Jesus, who would later be recognized as the Son of God.

  1. As soon as it was revealed to Joseph, he became upset and perplexed since he did not trust Mary.
  2. 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 to journey there.
  3. Every room in the inn was booked up!
  4. When Mary and Joseph arrived at the stable, they sat down on the hay among the sleeping animals.
  5. The manger, which served as a feeding bowl for the animals, was most likely the only location where the sleeping infant could find resting spot.
  6. In an angelic message, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Messiah, announced the joyful news of his birth.
  7. Eventually, three wise men (also known as magi) noticed the magnificent light in that night’s sky that was hovering above the location where Jesus was born, and they followed it.

When Herod, the king of Judah, met with the wise men during their journey, he instructed them to return and inform him of the location of the infant king so that he, too, may go and adore him.

It was at this point that they bowed their heads in reverence and presented the Savior with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrh.

Get a FREE copy of Beautiful Christmas Bible Verses printable to read and share with your loved ones as you celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25th!

To learn more about Jesus’ birth, check out these entire Scripture verses from his biographies in the books of Luke and Matthew: As part of our wider Christmas and Advent resource library, which focuses on the events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ, we’ve included this piece.

Was there a reason behind the holiday season?

Is It True That Jesus Was Born on the 25th of December? On the 25th of December, there was a time when Advent is defined as the period between November 1st and December 25th Christmas Traditions Have a Deeper Meaning Bible Verse for Christmas Anecdotal Evidence istock is credited with the image

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.

Bible Gateway Recommends

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. “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.
  4. And Joseph gave him the name Jesus.
  5. (This was the first census conducted during Quirinius’ tenure as ruler of Syria.) And then everyone traveled to their own towns to register.
  6. 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.
  7. Due to the fact that there were no rooms available at the inn, she wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a corner.
  8. 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.
  9. I’m bringing you wonderful news that will bring great delight to everyone who hears it.
  10. 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.

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)

In Luke 2:15-20, we learn that Jesus is the Son of God. 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 see what has happened,” they agreed. After that, they hurriedly arrived at the home of Mary and Joseph, where they discovered the newborn infant lying in a manger. As soon as they saw it, they immediately shared the proverb that had been shared with them about this particular youngster with the public.

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Nonetheless, Mary kept all of these things close to her heart, contemplating them.

(ESV)

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

Isaiah 40:1-11 is a passage from the Old Testament. My people, please be comforted, please be comforted, says your God. Comfortably address Jerusalem, and tell her that the battle has been won, and that her sins have been expiated: for she has received from the LORD’s hand twice as much as she deserved for all her transgressions. The voice of the one who cries out in the desert is: Prepare the way of the LORD, and provide a straight path through the desert for our God to travel. It is planned that every valley will be raised, and every mountain and hill will be brought low; and that the crooked will be made straight, and the rough regions will be made plain: And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all flesh will behold it together, for the LORD has declared it via his lips.

  • And he wondered aloud, “What am I going to cry?” It is said that all flesh is grass, and all of its goodness is as beautiful as a field flower: Because the spirit of the LORD blows upon it, the grass withers and the blossom fades; and the people, like grass, are destined to perish.
  • Prepare to ascend into the high mountain; prepare to ascend into the high mountain, O Jerusalem, that brings good news; lift up thy voice with power; hoist it up, and do not be frightened; proclaim to the towns of Judah, Behold your God!
  • Shepherding his flock means gathering the lambs and carrying them in his bosom, as well as gently leading those who are pregnant or have young in their care.
  • A woman called Mary was sent to Nazareth, a hamlet in Galilee, by the angel Gabriel in the sixth month of her pregnancy.
  • Mary was the name of the virgin.
  • The Lord is with you at all times.” Mary was deeply worried by his comments, and she wondered what sort of greeting he had intended for them.
  • You will be pregnant and will give birth to a son, whom you are to name Jesus, according to the scriptures.

In the future, the Lord God will restore him to the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the family of Jacob for all time; his dominion will never come to an end.” “How will this work,” Mary inquired of the angel, “seeing that I am a virgin?” The angel responded by saying, “The might of the Most High will descend upon you, and the presence of the Holy Spirit will surround you.

Even Elizabeth, your relative, is expecting a kid in her old age, and she, who was previously believed to be infertile, is now in her sixth month of pregnancy.

Nothing is impossible with God, after all.” “I am a servant of the Lord,” Mary said when asked who she was. “I hope it comes to me as you have stated.” Then the angel vanished without a trace.

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.”

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

Step inside the Christmas tale of the Bible and relive the events that led up to the birth of Jesus Christ. This version is taken from the gospels of Matthew and Luke and paraphrased.

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.

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.

The shepherds told everyone about what the angel had spoken about the baby Messiah, and they were all very excited. After that, they continued on their trip, praising and worshiping God all the way. Mary, on the other hand, remained silent, holding their words close to her heart.

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.

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When they left, they did not return to Herod’s residence.

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.

15 Scriptures about Christmas

The holiday season is much more than just a time for exchanging gifts, putting up colorful decorations, and savoring delectable meals. It’s also an occasion to show thankfulness for Jesus Christ’s life on earth. These passages from the Bible tell the story of Jesus’ birth and His compassion for all of humanity. In the future, a virgin will get pregnant and give birth to a son, who will be known as Emmanuel, which means God with us in the Greek language. During the reign of Herod the Great, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea during the days of the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” We have come to worship him because we have seen his star in the east and have followed it.

10When they saw the star, they were filled with a tremendous amount of gladness.

1And it came to happen during those days that a decree from Caesar Augustus was issued, stating that all of the globe would be subject to taxation.

Joseph, also, traveled up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is known as Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed together with Mary, his espoused wife, who was excellent with children.

The birth of Christ told in the Bible

Joseph, a carpenter, traveled to the town of Bethlehem with his wife, Mary, in order to participate in a census. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born miraculously into Mary’s womb (Luke 2:1–6), and she was described as “a wonderful mother.” Because all of the inns were filled, Joseph and Mary were forced to remain in a barn for the night. A manger was set up where Mary gave birth to Jesus, and the baby was wrapped in a blanket and deposited in it (see Luke 2:7). Shepherds in the area were visited by an angel who brought them “glad news of great joy.” The angel informed them that the Son of God had been born, and they hastened to find their newborn Savior (see Luke 2:8–16 for more information).

  • It is recorded in Matthew 2:1–12 that they “led down and worshipped him” and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
  • Are you interested in learning more about Jesus Christ?
  • As a result of their presence, the days leading up to her delivery were completed while they were there.
  • 8And there were shepherds in the same country who were encamped in the field, keeping watch over their flocks throughout the night hours.
  • The angel answered to them, “Do not be afraid; for, see, I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all mankind.” 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord, who is the fulfillment of all Scripture.

13And all of a sudden, there appeared with the angel a throng of the heavenly army, praising God and exclaiming, 14″Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” 15However, as the angels were departing from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known vnto us.” So they went to Bethlehem and saw what had happened.

  • 16And they arrived in haste, where they discovered Mary and Joseph, as well as the infant, who was lying in a manger.
  • Both of these books can assist you in becoming closer to Jesus.
  • In fact, even six hundred years after my father’s departure from Jerusalem, the Lord God would rise up a prophet among the Jews, perhaps even a Messiah (or, to put it another way, a Savior for the entire world).
  • After a period of time had elapsed, I noticed that she had been carried away in the Spirit; and after she had been carried away in the Spirit for a period of time had elapsed, the angel spake vnto me, saying: Look!
  • Since the prophets have predicted that Messiah will come in six hundred years from the time my father left Jerusalem, and since the prophets have predicted that Messiah will come, as well as the word of God’s angel, his name will be Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As a result, there will be one day and a night and a day, as if there were only one day and no night; and this shall be unto you as a sign; for you will know the rising and setting of the sun; as a result, they will know with certainty that there will be two days and a night; however, the night will not be darkened; and it will be the night before he is born.

Christmas: 5 Bible verses on the birth of Jesus Christ

Here are a few Bible scriptures that speak about the birth of Jesus Christ, which is the entire purpose for the holiday season.

Its that time of the year again, where millions of people across the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Unfortunately, many get carried away with Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the crib, the decorations, and the sharing of presents, rather than concentrating on the true meaning of the season. We are fortunate in that Pulse is here to remind us of the true meaning of the holiday season. Here are five passages from the Bible that speak about the birth of the Son of God. 1. Isaiah 9:6 – For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

  1. 3.
  2. He was present in the world, and the world was created as a result of his presence.
  3. Matthew 1:21 – And she shall bear a son, and thou shalt name him Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins: for he shall come to rescue them.
  4. Matthew 2:1-2 – Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod the Great, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?” (Matthew 2:12 – Where is he who has been born King of the Jews?
  5. Here are some inspirational Christmas quotes from well-known individuals, including Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church.
  6. Every present, no matter how insignificant it appears to be, is in actuality a wonderful gift if it is offered with respect.
  7. 2.

The season of Christmas is a tonic for our spirits.

It turns our attention on the act of giving.

Nothing compares to the feeling of relief that comes after Christmas, when one has been forgiven for everything and can return to normalcy.

5.

—Pope Francis, in his homily

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.

Each Gospel treats this tale with great care in order to transmit their individual pictures of Jesus to their respective audiences, and in doing so, they strongly communicate their unique message to their respective audiences as well.

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.

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.

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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.

When Jesus is born among the impoverished and rejected, the beautiful birth tale recorded in Luke’s Gospel portrays the entire kenotic act of God in Jesus who comes to deliver glad tidings of peace and goodwill to all.

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.

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.

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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Two Christmas stories: An analysis of New Testament narratives

Instead of just one Christmas story, the New Testament has two. Both Matthew 1–2 and Luke 1–2 include references to them. There are several things they share in common. However, there are significant distinctions amongst them in terms of characters, narrative, themes, and tone. Mary and Joseph are on their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, according to the traditional account of the Christmas narrative. At order to accommodate the lack of space in the inn, the infant Jesus is born in a barn and then put in a manger.

This version incorporates a great deal of information from both biblical stories.

In the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel in Padua, Italy, Giotto’s “Nativity, Birth of Jesus” is depicted c.

“loading=”lazy” data-medium-file=” data-large-file=” data-small-file=” title=”nativity-birth-of-jesus.jpg!Blog ” src=” alt=”” width=”492″ height=”500″ src=” alt=”” width=”492″ height=”500″” srcset=” 492w,120w,180w” sizes=”(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px”>Giotto’s “Nativity, Birth of Jesus,” from the Scrovegni (Arena) Chapel in Padua, Italy, about 1304-1306.

  • It is my intention, however, to demonstrate that by harmonizing the two tales, we may be overlooking details that were particularly significant for Matthew and Luke, respectively.
  • We explore how each of our religious traditions—Jewish, Evangelical, and Catholic—attempts to bring together modern historical-critical readings of the Bible and contemporary religious faith and practice in The Bible and the Believer: How to Read the Bible Critically and Religiously (Marc Z.
  • Some ideas, however, are shared by us all, such as the need of interpreting biblical texts in their original historical contexts, the necessity of rigorous consideration of the literary qualities of each text, and respect for what appears to have been the original author’s objectives.
  • Matthew’s Gospel was written in the late first century CE, possibly in the city of Antioch, Syria.
  • The purpose of his presentation was to demonstrate that the tradition of historical Israel was best fulfilled in the community that grew up around the death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth.
  • Matthew’s response consisted of emphasizing Jesus’ Jewishness as a central theme.
  • Starting with a genealogy that links Jesus to Abraham and David, he goes on to include numerous women of dubious character who, while noting the new thing God was doing in Jesus, still emphasize the new thing God was doing in Jesus.

Joseph, in addition to Jesus, is the most important character in Mathew’s Christmas tale.

It is important to note that the Magi tale in Matthew 2 is part of a longer sequence in which the newborn infant and his parents are in peril.

Because of this, the family escapes to Egypt, while Herod orders the killing of all boys under the age of two in the Bethlehem region.

Throughout their journey, the family is directed by dreams and passages from the Jewish Scriptures to help them along the way.

His actions confirm Jesus’ Jewish identification while also foreshadowing the mystery of the crucifixion, as well as non-Jews’ acceptance into the church.

Luke’s Gospel was written about the same time as Matthew’s Gospel (although at a separate location), in the late first century CE.

The dynamic between the two books is highlighted by the lines “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel,” which are borrowed from Isaiah (42:6, 46:13, and 49:6) and are now found in Luke 2:32: “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” While Luke demonstrates his mastery of classical Greek in his prologue (1:1-4), he turns into “Bible Greek” in his infancy story, which is written in the style of the narrative books of the Old Testament in their Greek translations, in his nativity account.

  • In addition to Jesus, there are several other characters, including Zechariah and Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Mary, and Simeon and Anna, as well as other angels and shepherds, among others.
  • As a result, Luke paints an idealized portrait of the Israel into which Jesus is born.
  • In essence, he is saying that while John the Baptist is wonderful, Jesus is much better.
  • As a result, the story of John’s birth and name is counterbalanced by the account of Jesus’ birth and naming as Savior, Messiah, and Lord (1:57-80; 2:1-40).
  • Meanwhile, there are subtle “digs” at the Roman emperor and his acclaim for the divinity of his subjects.
  • They are well-known by their traditional Latin titles: Magnificat (1:46-46), Benedictus (1:68-79), and Nunc dimittis (Nunc dimittis is Latin for “near death”) (2:29-32).
  • Luke’s intention with his infancy account is to ground Jesus in the highest traditions of Israelite devotion while also hinting at Jesus’ relevance for all peoples of the globe.
  • The tale of Luke’s childhood has served as the foundation for the conventional “Christian narrative.” It has an uplifting, festive, and even romantic tone to it.
  • It is a method that recognizes and respects their historical circumstances, literary abilities, and intended outcomes.
  • To be sure, during the course of this Christmas season, I shall (God willing) be commemorating the traditional Christmas tale in each of the two parishes where I am a regular member of the Catholic clergy.

In this article, I aim to have demonstrated that there is much more to the biblical Christmas tales than what is typically included in the conventional version.

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.

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. As a result, a popular pietistic tradition was established. 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 narrative 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 fear and heavenly 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.

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