The Christmas story, also known as the Nativity story, recounts the birth of Jesus Christ and is central to the Christian tradition. The story of Jesus’ birth is celebrated worldwide as a message of hope, peace, and salvation.
In the familiar version of the story, Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Because there is no room in the inn, Baby Jesus is born in a stable and placed in a manger. His humble birth is celebrated by choirs of angels and shepherds, and He is given precious gifts by the mysterious Magi.
The Nativity story is found in the New Testament of the Bible. However, there are actually two separate stories, not just one. Specifically, they appear in the Gospels of Matthew (Matt 1-2) and Luke (Luke 1-2). These accounts have some points in common. But there are many differences in their characters, plot, messages, and tone.
Here’s a brief summary of the key events:
Gospel of Matthew
- An Angel’s Announcement: An angel appears to Joseph in a dream, telling him that Mary, his betrothed, will give birth to a son conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he should name the child Jesus.
- Visit of the Magi: Wise men from the East, guided by a star, visit Jerusalem seeking the newborn king. They find Jesus in Bethlehem, offering gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Gospel of Luke
- Angel Gabriel Visits Mary: The angel Gabriel visits Mary, a young woman in Nazareth, announcing that she will conceive a son by the Holy Spirit and should name him Jesus. Mary accepts God’s will.
- Journey to Bethlehem: Due to a decree from Caesar Augustus for a census, Mary and Joseph travel to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral home.
- Jesus’ Birth: Mary gives birth to Jesus in a stable, as there is no room at the inn. She places him in a manger.
- Shepherds Visit: Angels appear to shepherds in nearby fields, announcing the birth of Jesus. The shepherds visit the newborn and spread the news.
Instead of just reading summaries of the blended accounts, be sure to read the original Bible passages independently to gain the benefit of both perspectives. These passages emphasize themes of divine intervention, fulfillment of prophecy, and the humble circumstances of Jesus’ birth as told by Matthew and Luke, each of whom had important points they wanted to make.
Daniel J. Harrington, co-author of The Bible and the Believer: How to Read the Bible Critically and Religiously, has a blog that explains how to read the Christmas stories of Matthew and Luke in a way that respects their historical contexts, literary skills, and intentions. There is a lot more to the biblical Christmas stories than gets included in the traditional account. You can read his blog here: https://blog.oup.com/2012/12/biblical-historical-christmas-harrington
