The Nativity

The Nativity – The Biblical Account
To read the biblical account of the nativity, see Luke chapter 2.

The Book of Luke records the visitation of the angel appearing to the father of John the Baptist, who was a priest serving in the temple of God. As you read the story, you will note that Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, were relatives. Luke also records the visit between the two women and the song of Mary.

Luke describes the birth of Jesus in the town of Bethlehem. The circumstances of His birth in a stable, the appearance of the heavenly host and the shepherds all take center stage in the great space of time that God created at the precise moment.

Matthew also tell of the nativity. Matthew begins with the genealogy of the Christ. The ancestry begins with Abraham and leads all the way down to Joseph, the husband of Mary. He tells of the angelic announcement to Mary that she, above all other Hebrew women, would be the bearer of the Christ child.

Soon after the birth, King Herod entertained the Magi or Wise Men from the Far East. As most political figures do not like rivals, King Herod determined to find this “new king” and sought to destroy all the children born around the time that the Wise Men saw the star proclaiming Jesus’ birth.

The young family fled to Egypt, led by the Holy Spirit, to live safely until King Herod died. They then returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew and became know as the carpenter’s son.

All of these events were foretold throughout the Old Testament. You can find references to Jesus in the Psalms and other books. God is the great Conductor who orchestrated each wonder in such a way that could not be duplicated by man. God purposed to save His creation from the beginning of time.

All of the Old Testament followers of God looked ahead to the coming of the Christ for their salvation. The daily sacrifices were the atonement until Christ came in the flesh and paid the ultimate perfect price.

The Nativity – Making it Personal
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6), we look back to His birth and crucifixion as our salvation. The celebration of Christmas is the perfect gift given to us. It is the gift of God Himself indwelling His own creature to pay the only perfect penalty in order that we may live with Him forever.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).