Category:Nativity of Jesus (subject)

BACK TO THE EVENTS--INDEX

Nativity of Jesus refers to a series of episodes in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, associated with his birth and infancy, as narrated in the gospels of Matthew and Luke, and later Christian tradition.

Nativity of Jesus -> Jesus' Hidden Years -> Ministry of Jesus (Parables of Jesus, Miracles of Jesus) -> Passion of Jesus -> Resurrection of Jesus -> Relics of Jesus

Overview

THe historicity of the Nativity stories is largely disputed for three major reasons:

(a) The Gospels of Mark and John do not contain any narrative about the Nativity of Jesus at Bethlehem and seem to assume that Jesus was born at Nazareth.

(b) There are no recorded sayings of Jesus, which refer to his birth at Bethlehem.

(c) The Gospels of Matthew and Luke record the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, even though they offer two distinct narratives.

According to Matthew, Joseph and Mary lived at Bethlehem. When Mary's pregnancy was revealed, Joseph would have liked to dismiss her but an angel announced to Joseph in a dream the true origin of the child. A group of Magi came from the East to pay homage to the newborn "King of the Jews." Herod the Great was so angered that he ordered the killing of all infants at Bethlehem. Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus escaped the massacre as Joseph was alerted in a dream to leave Bethlehem to Egypt. They came back to the land of Israel only when Herod the Great died, but still afraid of his son Archelaus, settled at Nazareth in Galilee.

According to Luke, Joseph and Mary lived at Nazareth in Galilee. Mary received the annunciation of the birth of Jesus. When pregnant, she spent three months with her relative Elizabeth, who was also expecting a baby, John the Baptist. Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to register for the census of Quirinius. During that trip, Jesus was born in the manger as his parents could not find room in the inn. A group of shepherds came and paid homage to the newborn. Jesus then was circumcised and presented to the Temple of Jerusalem, before his parents traveled back to Nazareth.

The Protoevangelium of James harmonizes the narratives of Matthew and Luke, adding some new stories and details.