What is the story of Jesus' birth? (the nativity / Christmas account)

Q: What is the story of Jesus' birth? (the nativity / Christmas account)

The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew and Luke, and was foretold centuries earlier — a child born of a virgin () in Bethlehem (). The outline: - The angel Gabriel tells Mary, a virgin, she will bear the Son of God by the Holy Spirit (; ; ). - Because of a Roman census, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born and laid in a manger, 'because there was no room for them in the inn' (BSB, ; ). - Angels announce the birth to shepherds, who come to see the child (; ). - Magi (wise men) follow a star from the east and bring gifts (; ). Matthew names the meaning of it all: He is 'Immanuel… God with us' (), and He 'will save His people from their sins' (BSB, ).

Topical

Short answer

The birth of Jesus is told in Matthew and Luke, and was foretold centuries earlier, a child born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14) in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The outline:

The angel Gabriel tells Mary, a virgin, she will bear the Son of God by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26; Luke 1:31; Luke 1:35).
Because of a Roman census, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born and laid in a manger, 'because there was no room for them in the inn' (BSB, Luke 2:7; Luke 2:4).
Angels announce the birth to shepherds, who come to see the child (Luke 2:11; Luke 2:16).
Magi (wise men) follow a star from the east and bring gifts (Matthew 2:1; Matthew 2:11).

Matthew names the meaning of it all: He is 'Immanuel… God with us' (Matthew 1:23), and He 'will save His people from their sins' (BSB, Matthew 1:21).

Question

What is the story of Jesus' birth? (the nativity / Christmas account)

Analysis

The two accounts

Luke tells the story mostly from Mary's side, Gabriel's announcement (Luke 1:26–Luke 1:38), the journey to Bethlehem, the manger, and the shepherds who hear 'good news of great joy… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord' (Luke 2:10; Luke 2:11). Matthew tells it more from Joseph's side, the angel reassuring Joseph to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:18–Matthew 1:25), the magi guided by a star (Matthew 2:1–Matthew 2:12), and the family's flight to Egypt to escape King Herod, who slaughtered the infants of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13–Matthew 2:18). Together they present one event from two angles, anchored in prophecy: the virgin (Isaiah 7:14) and Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).

What the birth means

The Gospels are less interested in sentiment than in who this child is. Matthew frames the birth with two names, Jesus, 'for he will save his people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21), and Immanuel, 'God with us' (Matthew 1:23). John states the same truth without a manger scene: 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us' (John 1:14), the incarnation, God taking on human nature. So the nativity is the beginning of the gospel: the eternal Son entering the world to rescue it. (A common detail worth correcting: the number of magi is not given, 'three' comes from the three gifts, a later tradition; see the wise-men answer.)

Sources, trace every one

Every cited verse, in full. Tap any reference to open it in the reader.

Isaiah 7:14bsb
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel.
Micah 5:2bsb
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel— One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.
Luke 1:26bsb
In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,
Luke 1:31bsb
Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.
Luke 1:35bsb
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 2:7bsb
And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4bsb
So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, since he was from the house and line of David.
Luke 2:11bsb
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!
Luke 2:16bsb
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and the Baby, who was lying in the manger.
Matthew 2:1bsb
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem,
Matthew 2:11bsb
On coming to the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 1:23bsb
“Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” ( which means, “God with us”).
Matthew 1:21bsb
She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
Luke 1:38bsb
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it happen to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 2:10bsb
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
Matthew 1:18bsb
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

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