Nativity of Jesus
This is the story of how
Jesus Christ was born based on the Bible chapters Matthew and Luke verses 1-2. Jesus was born in the most humble manner—in a stable. He came and showed us how God favors those who believe in Him. Jesus came to save the world.
- An Angel visits Mary
2,000 years ago,
Gabriel, an angel, appeared and visited
Mary, a Jewish woman. Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she would be bearing a son, whose name would be Jesus, the Son of God.
Mary was worried and confused about the message of the angel but because of her strong faith in God, she said to Gabriel, “I am the Lord’s servant; may your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel Gabriel left.
- Journey to Bethlehem
Mary and her husband Joseph lived in Nazareth. But they were asked to travel to Bethlehem for the census registration ordered by Caesar Augustus, a Roman emperor.
Bethlehem and Nazareth are both located in Israel. Bethlehem is about 65 miles away from Nazareth.
When Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, there was no place for them to stay because there were no rooms available in the inn.
They ended up in a stable to stay the night and the fresh hay were the ones they used as beds. It was during that night that Jesus was born. There was no crib for him so they laid him down in the manger.
III. Shepherds visit Jesus
That night, there were shepherds who were just near the fields of Bethlehem watching over their flocks of sheep.
An angel appeared to give them the good news that the Messiah, the Savior, had already been born.
The angel told them that they can find Jesus in a manger. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem and found Jesus just as the angel told them. After that, they have spread the news to everyone.
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Wise Men visit Jesus
After some time, wise men from the Eastern countries saw a bright star in the sky signaling the birth of a new King.
They came to Judea, just around Bethlehem and Jerusalem to worship the new King, Jesus.
Herod was Judea’s king and called the wise men to find the newborn king so he can go and worship Him, too.
The wise men continued following the star and reached Bethlehem where they found Jesus with Mary.
They knelt down and worshipped Him. They brought Him gifts, myrrh and frankincense, and finest things. After their visit, the wise men were warned by a dream that they should not go back to Herod and take a different route.
- Journey to Egypt
Herod lied about wanting to worship the Son of God, Jesus. He was afraid that the new King will replace him as the reigning king of Judea. He did not understand that Jesus did not come to conquer Judea but to build God’s kingdom.
Herod wanted to find Jesus to kill Him. He sent soldiers to Bethlehem and ordered them to kill all children under 2 years old, thinking that Jesus will be among the ones who would be killed.
But that very night, Joseph had a dream and told to flee to Egypt. Mary and Joseph took Jesus to Egypt to be safe from Herod. They lived and stayed there until the death of Herod and that’s when they returned to Nazareth.
