The Christmas Story of the Birth of Jesus

The story of the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ comes to us from several places in the New Testament, including Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2.

Mary was living in Nazareth, engaged to be married to a Jewish carpenter named Joseph. One night an angel came and informed her that conceive a son as a virgin by the Holy Spirit and name the child Jesus. At first Mary was afraid and asked, "How will this be?" The angel explained that the child would be God's own Son. Mary believed the angel and was pleased that she would carry the son of God as fulfillment of the prophesy of Isaiah.

While still engaged, Mary became pregnant through the Holy Spiritl. God sent an angel to Joseph in a dream to explain the plan with Mary and reassure him that their pending marriage was the will of God. When Joseph awoke from his dream, he obeyed God and took Mary as his wife.

Caesar Augustus called for a census, forcing everyone in the Roman Empire to go to their town of birth to register. Joseph, as a descendant of David, was required to take Mary to Bethlehem to register. While in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus in a stable, wrapped Him in cloths, and placed him in a manger.

An angel appeared to the shepherds in the fields, announcing that Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ had been born in Bethlehem. They visited the young family to give praise to the newly born Messiah, and then began to spread the word throughout the neighboring towns. The three Magi from the east followed the brightest star ever seen in the sky, signifying the birth of the Savior, and brought with them gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. Along the way, they came across King Herod and told him of the miracle birth. Herod told them that he wanted to worship the child as well, but actually began plotting the death of Jesus.

In the story of the birth of Jesus, the Creator used his almighty power to bring to life a plan to change the world - A plan that would become his greatest accomplishment - There were some ready to accept this life - To accept The Word in the form of this Creation - But there were also those who were far from ready - Those who would stop at nothing to thrwart the Creator's efforts at every turn - But as the story would play out over time the Creator's will would be done.