Bible verses for all occasions.
The birth of Jesus is one of the most significant events in Christian history. It is a story that has been told and celebrated for centuries, not just within the Christian community, but also in various cultures and traditions around the world. The birth of Jesus, also known as the Nativity, marks the beginning of the story of Jesus Christ, who is considered by Christians to be the Son of God and the Savior of humanity. The accounts of Jesus’ birth can be found in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
Matthew 1:18-25
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.’ So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.”
This passage from the Gospel of Matthew provides the account of the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream, assuring him that Mary’s pregnancy is a result of the Holy Spirit, and that he should not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. The angel also reveals that the child shall be named Jesus, which means “Savior,” as he will save people from their sins. This fulfillment of prophecy is mentioned, referencing Isaiah 7:14, where it was foretold that a virgin would conceive and bear a son who would be called Immanuel, meaning “God with us.”
Matthew 2:1-12
“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, ‘Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.’ When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.”‘ Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, ‘Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.’ When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.”
The second chapter of Matthew describes the visit of the wise men, or Magi, who followed a star to find the newborn King of the Jews. They arrive in Jerusalem and inquire about the child’s birth, causing Herod and the people to become troubled. The chief priests and scribes inform Herod that the Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem, as prophesied in Micah 5:2. Herod secretly meets with the wise men and instructs them to find the child and report back to him. The star leads the wise men to Jesus, and upon finding Him, they worship Him and present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. However, they are warned in a dream not to return to Herod, so they leave for their own country by a different route.
Luke 2:1-7
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus describes the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem due to a census ordered by Caesar Augustus. Joseph, being of the lineage of David, had to go to his ancestral city of Bethlehem. While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth, and she delivered her firstborn Son, wrapping Him in swaddling cloths and placing Him in a manger because there was no room for them in an inn. This humble setting highlights the humble beginnings of Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Luke 2:8-20
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.’ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.”
In Luke’s Gospel, the shepherds play a significant role in the announcement and celebration of Jesus’ birth. While the shepherds were tending their flock at night, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, accompanied by the glory of the Lord. The angel brought them good news of great joy, announcing the birth of a Savior, Christ the Lord, in the city of David. The shepherds were given a sign to identify the newborn Messiah: a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger. Suddenly, a multitude of heavenly hosts joined the angel, praising God and proclaiming peace on earth and goodwill towards humanity. The shepherds wasted no time and went to Bethlehem, where they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus, just as they had been told. They shared the news of what they had witnessed, and everyone who heard it marveled. Mary treasured these things in her heart, and the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had seen and heard.
Conclusion
The birth of Jesus is a miraculous event that signifies hope, love, and salvation for all believers. The Bible verses mentioned above provide a glimpse into the details surrounding Jesus’ birth, including the divine conception, the visit of the wise men, the journey to Bethlehem, and the announcement to the she
