The Birth of Christ, also known as the Nativity, is a foundational event in Christian theology, marking the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This event is celebrated annually by Christians around the world on December 25th, known as Christmas. The biblical accounts of Christ's birth are primarily found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, each providing unique details that contribute to the full narrative.

Prophecies and Announcements

The birth of Jesus was foretold by several Old Testament prophecies, which Christians believe were fulfilled in the events surrounding His nativity. Isaiah 7:14 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." This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament, where the angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit and bear a son, whom she is to name Jesus (Luke 1:31-35).

In Matthew 1:22-23, the Gospel writer explicitly connects the birth of Jesus to Isaiah's prophecy, emphasizing the divine nature of this event. Additionally, Micah 5:2 predicted that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a detail confirmed in the Gospel accounts.

The Annunciation and Mary's Response

The Annunciation is the event where the angel Gabriel visits Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, to announce that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God. Luke 1:28-38 records this encounter, highlighting Mary's humble acceptance and faith. Gabriel greets her with, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28). Despite her initial fear and confusion, Mary responds with obedience, saying, "I am the Lord’s servant. May it happen to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).

Joseph's Role

Joseph, a righteous man, plays a crucial role in the birth narrative. Upon discovering Mary's pregnancy, he initially plans to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, an angel appears to him in a dream, instructing him to take Mary as his wife because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18-21). Joseph's obedience to the angel's command demonstrates his faith and commitment to God's plan.

The Journey to Bethlehem

Due to a decree from Caesar Augustus that required a census, Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem, Joseph's ancestral town (Luke 2:1-5). This journey fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:2, which stated that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Despite the challenges of travel and Mary's advanced pregnancy, they arrived in Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.

The Birth in a Manger

Luke 2:6-7 describes the humble circumstances of Jesus' birth: "While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. 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" . The manger, a feeding trough for animals, symbolizes the humility and simplicity of Christ's entrance into the world.

The Shepherds and the Angels

The first announcement of Jesus' birth was made to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. 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 appeared, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14).

The shepherds, after visiting the newborn Jesus and witnessing the truth of the angel's message, spread the news of His birth, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard (Luke 2:17-20).

The Visit of the Magi

The Gospel of Matthew recounts the visit of the Magi, or wise men, from the East. Guided by a star, they came to Jerusalem seeking the "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:1-2). Herod the Great, troubled by their inquiry, sought to learn the location of the child's birth. The Magi, directed by the star, found Jesus in Bethlehem and offered Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing His kingship, divinity, and future suffering (Matthew 2:9-11).

The Flight to Egypt

Warned in a dream of Herod's intent to kill the child, Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt, fulfilling the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:13-15, referencing Hosea 11:1). Herod's subsequent massacre of the infants in Bethlehem further fulfilled the prophecy of Jeremiah 31:15, lamenting the loss of the children.

The Birth of Christ, as recorded in the Gospels, is a profound event that signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and the beginning of the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
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Luke 2:1-52
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.
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Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
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Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
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Galatians 4:4
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
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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 1:35
And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Ghost shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.
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Matthew 2:1
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
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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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Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented to him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
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3824. paliggenesia -- regeneration, renewal
... 3824 ("renewal, rebirth") is used twice in the NT referring to: a) the re-birth
of at Christ's return (Advent), which inaugurates His millennial kingdom (Mt 19 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3824.htm - 7k

2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... They emphasized: Christ came through a virgin birth; His ; and the of all believers
at Christ's coming (ie through the physical resurrection of their bodies). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2583.htm - 7k

5207. huios -- a son
... 5207 -- properly, a (by birth or adoption); (figuratively) anyone sharing the as ...
begins with being reborn () by the heavenly Father -- through Christ (the work ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5207.htm - 8k

The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians ...
... The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of All Christians; Or
the True Way of Keeping Christmas. Matthew 1:21 " "And she ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the observation of the birth.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... The Incarnation and Birth of Christ. A Sermon ... THIS is the season of the year when,
whether we wish it or not, we are compelled to think of the birth of Christ. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

That the Birth of Christ in Time Diminished Nothing of the Glory ...
... Book VI. Chapter XIX. That the birth of Christ in time diminished nothing
of the glory and power of His Deity. For the fact that ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xix that the birth.htm

The Birth of Christ in Its Relations to the Jewish Theocracy.
... CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 13. The Birth of Christ in its
Relations to the Jewish Theocracy. AS the entrance of ...
/.../section 13 the birth of.htm

Christ's Birth
... Figure 14. The Shepherds' Tower. 2. OCCURRENCES DURING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IN DIFFERENT
LOCATIONS. ... 4. OCCURRENCES DURING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IN JERUSALEM. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

The Taxing. --Birth of Christ at Bethlehem.
... CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 15. The Taxing."Birth of Christ
at Bethlehem. By a remarkable interposition of Providence ...
/.../section 15 the taxing birth of.htm

Whether Christ's Birth was Made Known in a Becoming Order?
... the first-fruits of the Gentiles in faith. For this reason the birth of
Christ was made known to the shepherds before the Magi. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth was made.htm

Miracles at the Birth of Christ.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 136 Miracles at the birth of Christ. LM Miracles
at the birth of Christ. The King of Glory sends his Son. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 136 miracles at the.htm

Whether Christ's Birth Should have Been Manifested by Means of the ...
... at the birth of any man, left its orbit and made its way to him who was just born":
as happened in the case of the star which made known the birth of Christ. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth should have 3.htm

From Malachi to the Birth of Christ.
... Chapter XVII. From Malachi to The Birth of Christ. No Scripture. The Close
of the Old Testament History. We now come to the close ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvii from malachi to.htm

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