The birth of Jesus Christ, a foundational event in Christian theology, is chronicled primarily in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. This event marks the incarnation of the Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and heralding the advent of the New Covenant.

Prophecies and Announcements

The birth of Jesus was foretold by several Old Testament prophets. Isaiah prophesied, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament, affirming Jesus' divine nature and mission.

The angel Gabriel announced the forthcoming birth to Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel declared, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High" (Luke 1:31-32). This announcement emphasized Jesus' divine sonship and royal lineage.

The Nativity

The Gospel of Luke provides a detailed account of Jesus' birth. Due to a decree from Caesar Augustus, Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem, the city of David, to register for a census. While there, Mary gave birth to Jesus. "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 2:7). The humble circumstances of Jesus' birth highlight His identification with the lowly and His mission to serve.

The Shepherds and the Angels

The announcement of Jesus' birth was first made to shepherds in the fields nearby. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, proclaiming, "Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). A multitude of heavenly hosts then praised God, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14). The shepherds' visit to the manger underscores the universal significance of Jesus' birth.

The Visit of the Magi

The Gospel of Matthew recounts the visit of the Magi, wise men from the East, who followed a star to find the newborn King. They arrived in Jerusalem, inquiring, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him" (Matthew 2:2). Guided by the star, they found Jesus in Bethlehem and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing His kingship, divinity, and future suffering.

Herod's Reaction and the Flight to Egypt

King Herod, disturbed by the news of a new "King of the Jews," sought to kill Jesus. Warned in a dream, Joseph took Mary and Jesus to Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1). Herod's subsequent massacre of the infants in Bethlehem fulfilled another prophecy: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more" (Matthew 2:18; Jeremiah 31:15).

Return to Nazareth

After Herod's death, an angel instructed Joseph to return to Israel. The family settled in Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene (Matthew 2:23). This return to Nazareth set the stage for Jesus' upbringing and future ministry.

The birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated by Christians worldwide as the incarnation of God and the beginning of the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity.Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
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Luke 2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
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John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
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John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
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John 8:58
Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham was, I am.
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John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
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The Birth of Jesus. Ch. 2:1-20
... CHS. 1:5 TO 2:52 E. The Birth of Jesus. Ch. 2:1-20. ... The story of the birth of Jesus
as related by Matthew is in striking contrast with that of Luke. ...
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Of the Birth of Jesus from the virgin; of his Life, Death, and ...
... Chap. XII."Of the Birth of Jesus from the Virgin; Of His Life, Death, and Resurrection,
and the Testimonies of the Prophets Respecting These Things. ...
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Of the Birth of Jesus in the Spirit and in the Flesh: of Spirits ...
... Book IV. Of True Wisdom and Religion. Chap. VIII."Of the Birth of Jesus in the Spirit
and in the Flesh: of Spirits and the Testimonies of Prophets. ...
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The Birth of Jesus the Messiah was on this Wise...
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section II. the birth of Jesus the Messiah
was on this wise? [1] [Arabic, p.7] [173] Now [174] the ...
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The Birth of Jesus.
... THE BIRTH AND INFANCY OF JESUS THE BIRTH OF JESUS. Now it came to pass in
those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the birth of jesus.htm

The Birth of Jesus.
... Part First. The Period of Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry. X. The Birth
of Jesus. (at Bethlehem of Jud??a, bc5.) ^C Luke 2:1-7. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/x the birth of jesus.htm

Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
... Part First. The Period of Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry. VI. Annunciation
of the Birth of Jesus. (at Nazareth, bc5.) ^C Luke 1:26-38. ...
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From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... Chapter XVIII. From the Birth to The Ascension of Jesus. ... From the birth of Jesus,
BC4 to the beginning of the ministry of John the Baptist, AD26. ...
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Valentinus' Explanation of the Birth of Jesus; Twofold Doctrine on ...
... Chapter XXX."Valentinus' Explanation of the Birth of Jesus; Twofold Doctrine on
the Nature of Jesus' Body; Opinion of the Italians, that Is, Heracleon and ...
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The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds.
... Part First. The Period of Christ's Life Prior to His Ministry. XI. The Birth of
Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds. (Near Bethlehem, bc5.) ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xi the birth of jesus.htm

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