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The Birth of Jesus (or, Nativity of Jesus) refers to an episode in the lives of Jesus of Nazareth, and his parents, Mary of Nazareth and Joseph of Nazareth. The episode is narrated only in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, and in later Christian tradition (Justin Martyr, Protoevangelium of James, etc.).

Overview

The circumstances of the birth of Jesus remain obscure. The Gospel of Mark and John are silent and seem to assume that Jesus was born at Nazareth. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide two different contexts for the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem.

According to Matthew, Mary and Joseph lived in Bethlehem. When Mary was pregnant Joseph thought of dismissing her quietly but an angel appeared to him in a dream and revealed him the divine origin of the child (see Annunciation to Joseph). This happened at Bethlehem at the time of Herod the Great.

The Gospel of Luke located the birth of Jesus at the time of the census of Quirinius, which is erroneously located at the time of Herod the Great. Mary and Joseph were from Nazareth in Galilee. The annunciation of the angel was made to Mary (see Annunciation to Mary). Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for the census. Jesus was born in the manger, as they could not find room in the inn.

The two accounts of Matthew and Luke, although containing some common elements, are difficult to harmonize and appear to be theologically motivated. Herod the Great died in 4 BCE, while the census of Quirinius occurred ten years later, in 6 CE, when Judea became a Roman province. The census' purpose was to calculate property for taxation; it does not make any sense that people had to go back to their birthplace to register.

The tendency of later Christian traditions, starting with the Protoevangelium of James, was to merge the narratives of Matthew and Luke and add numerous legendary elements in the process. No source provides any additional historical elements.

Nothing is said in ancient sources about the date (or the season) when Jesus was born. The custom of celebrating the birthday of Jesus on December 25 derives from the Christianization of a pagan festival; see Christmas.

The Birth of Jesus in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Mt 2:1 (NRSV) -- [2:1] Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the time of King Herod...

Gospel of Luke

Lk 2:1-7 (NRSV) -- [1] In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. [2] This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. [3] All went to their own towns to be registered. [4] Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. [5] He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. [6] While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. [7] And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Cf. Protoevangelium of James

[17] And there was an order from the Emperor Augustus, that all in Bethlehem of Judea should be enrolled. And Joseph said: I shall enroll my sons, but what shall I do with this maiden? How shall I enroll her? As my wife? I am ashamed. As my daughter then? But all the sons of Israel know that she is not my daughter. The day of the Lord shall itself bring it to pass as the Lord will. And he saddled the ass, and set her upon it; and his son led it, and Joseph followed. And when they had come within three miles, Joseph turned and saw her sorrowful; and he said to himself: Likely that which is in her distresses her. And again Joseph turned and saw her laughing. And he said to her: Mary, how is it that I see in your face at one time laughter, at another sorrow? And Mary said to Joseph: Because I see two peoples with my eyes; the one weeping and lamenting, and the other rejoicing and exulting. And they came into the middle of the road, and Mary said to him: Take me down from off the ass, for that which is in me presses to come forth. And he took her down from off the ass, and said to her: Whither shall I lead you, and cover your disgrace? For the place is desert.

[18] And he found a cave there, and led her into it; and leaving his two sons beside her, he went out to seek a midwife in the district of Bethlehem. And I Joseph was walking, and was not walking; and I looked up into the sky, and saw the sky astonished; and I looked up to the pole of the heavens, and saw it standing, and the birds of the air keeping still. And I looked down upon the earth, and saw a trough lying, and work-people reclining: and their hands were in the trough. And those that were eating did not eat, and those that were rising did not carry it up, and those that were conveying anything to their mouths did not convey it; but the faces of all were looking upwards. And I saw the sheep walking, and the sheep stood still; and the shepherd raised his hand to strike them, and his hand remained up. And I looked upon the current of the river, and I saw the mouths of the kids resting on the water and not drinking, and all things in a moment were driven from their course.

[19] And I saw a woman coming down from the hill-country, and she said to me: O man, whither are you going? And I said: I am seeking an Hebrew midwife. And she answered and said unto me: Are you of Israel? And I said to her: Yes. And she said: And who is it that is bringing forth in the cave? And I said: A woman betrothed to me. And she said to me: Is she not your wife? And I said to her: It is Mary that was reared in the temple of the Lord, and I obtained her by lot as my wife. And yet she is not my wife, but has conceived of the Holy Spirit. And the midwife said to him: Is this true? And Joseph said to her: Come and see. And the midwife went away with him. And they stood in the place of the cave, and behold a luminous cloud overshadowed the cave. And the midwife said: My soul has been magnified this day, because my eyes have seen strange things— because salvation has been brought forth to Israel. And immediately the cloud disappeared out of the cave, and a great light shone in the cave, so that the eyes could not bear it. And in a little that light gradually decreased, until the infant appeared, and went and took the breast from His mother Mary. And the midwife cried out, and said: This is a great day to me, because I have seen this strange sight. And the midwife went forth out of the cave, and Salome met her. And she said to her: Salome, Salome, I have a strange sight to relate to you: a virgin has brought forth— a thing which her nature admits not of. Then said Salome: As the Lord my God lives, unless I thrust in my finger, and search the parts, I will not believe that a virgin has brought forth.

[20] And the midwife went in, and said to Mary: Show yourself; for no small controversy has arisen about you. And Salome put in her finger, and cried out, and said: Woe is me for mine iniquity and mine unbelief, because I have tempted the living God; and, behold, my hand is dropping off as if burned with fire. And she bent her knees before the Lord, saying: O God of my fathers, remember that I am the seed of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob; do not make a show of me to the sons of Israel, but restore me to the poor; for You know, O Lord, that in Your name I have performed my services, and that I have received my reward at Your hand. And, behold, an angel of the Lord stood by her, saying to her: Salome, Salome, the Lord has heard you. Put your hand to the infant, and carry it, and you will have safety and joy. And Salome went and carried it, saying: I will worship Him, because a great King has been born to Israel. And, behold, Salome was immediately cured, and she went forth out of the cave justified. And behold a voice saying: Salome, Salome, tell not the strange things you have seen, until the child has come into Jerusalem.

The Birth of Jesus in Scholarship

The Birth of Jesus in Literature & the Arts

Related links

• Jesus of Nazareth / Nativity of Jesus
• Mary of Nazareth / Joseph of Nazareth
• Herod the Great / Quirinius / Augustus

External links

• Wikipedia