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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 Gospels of Matthew and Luke provide two different narratives of the birth of Jesus.

According to Matthew, Mary and Joseph lived in Bethlehem. When Mary was pregnant Joseph thought of dismissing her but angel appeared in a dream to Joseph, to reveal him the divine origin of the child. 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. Mary and Joseph are from Nazareth. The annunciation of the angel was made to Mary. Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register for the census. Jesus was born in a manger, as they could not find room in the inn.

The Birth of Jesus in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Mt 1:18-2:1 (NRSV) -- [1:18] Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. [19] Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. [20] But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. [21] She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." [22] All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: [23] "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." [24] When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, [25] but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. [2:1] Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the time of King Herod...

Gospel of Luke

Lk 26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." 34 Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I am a virgin?" 35 The angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36 And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God." 38 Then Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word." Then the angel departed from her.

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.

The Birth of Jesus in Scholarship

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 two accounts of Matthew and Luke, although containing some common elements, are difficult to harmonize and appear to be theologically motivated. Later Christian tradition does not provide any further elements.

The Birth of Jesus in Fiction

External links

• Wikipedia