“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” – Luke 2:10
The Annunciation to Mary
We begin our story with a beautiful encounter between the angel Gabriel and Mary. This moment, which is called the Annunciation, signifies the beginning of the Nativity story. The message from Gabriel was one of incredible significance, as it declared that Mary would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit. This moment reminds us of God’s plan for our salvation and that He chose Mary to be the mother of our Savior. We can find inspiration in her obedience and trust in God’s promise.
Luke 1:28
“The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” – Luke 1:28
Luke 1:30
“But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.” – Luke 1:30
Luke 1:31
“You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.” – Luke 1:31
Luke 1:35
“The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.” – Luke 1:35
Luke 1:38
““I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.” – Luke 1:38
Joseph’s Dream
As we continue with the Nativity story, we meet Joseph, who was initially troubled by Mary’s pregnancy. Now, God sends an angel to comfort him in a dream, reassuring him of the miraculous nature of the conception and instructing him to take Mary as his wife. This part of the story shows us the importance of trusting God’s direction, even when circumstances appear confusing. Joseph’s obedience teaches us the value of faithfulness in our own lives.
Matthew 1:20
“But after he had considered 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 home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 1:20
Matthew 1:21
“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:21
Matthew 1:24
“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” – Matthew 1:24
Matthew 1:25
“But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” – Matthew 1:25
Matthew 2:13
“When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” – Matthew 2:13
The Journey to Bethlehem
Next, we follow Mary and Joseph on their journey to Bethlehem. They traveled under difficult conditions, especially considering Mary’s pregnancy. The journey is symbolic as it represents the struggles we face when we are following God’s plans. Just as Mary and Joseph had to trust God while facing their challenges, we are also called to have faith during our own trials. Their story teaches us resilience and perseverance.
Luke 2:1
“In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.” – Luke 2:1
Luke 2:4
“So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.” – Luke 2:4
Luke 2:5
“He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.” – Luke 2:5
Luke 2:6
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born.” – Luke 2:6
Luke 2:7
“And she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” – Luke 2:7
The Birth of Jesus
The moment we have been waiting for has arrived! Jesus was born, and the world was introduced to our Savior. His humble birth in a manger teaches us about God’s grace and love. It reminds us that great things can come from humble beginnings. This moment fills our hearts with joy and reminds us of the beauty of God’s plans. The Nativity story encourages us to embrace humility and the preciousness of life.
Luke 2:8
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” – Luke 2:8
Luke 2:9
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.” – Luke 2:9
Luke 2:11
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
Luke 2:12
“This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:12
Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” – Luke 2:14
The Shepherds Visit
After the birth of Jesus, the shepherds were visited by angels who declared the good news. This visit signifies the importance of sharing the joy of Christ’s birth with others. The shepherds responded with excitement, going to see the Savior for themselves and later telling everyone they encountered about him. We are inspired by their enthusiasm; we too are called to share the good news and spread joy during the Christmas season.
Luke 2:15
“When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” – Luke 2:15
Luke 2:16
“So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” – Luke 2:16
Luke 2:17
“When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child.” – Luke 2:17
Luke 2:18
“And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” – Luke 2:18
Luke 2:19
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” – Luke 2:19
The Visit of the Wise Men
The arrival of the Wise Men from the East marks another significant part of the Nativity story. Guided by a star, they found Jesus and brought gifts that held deep significance. This illustrates the reverence we should have for our Savior, and their gifts remind us that Jesus is King. Through their visit, we learn the importance of seeking Jesus, worshipping Him, and honoring Him with our love and life.
Matthew 2:1
“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem.” – Matthew 2:1
Matthew 2:2
“And asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” – Matthew 2:2
Matthew 2:10
“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” – Matthew 2:10
Matthew 2:11
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11
Matthew 2:12
“And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.” – Matthew 2:12
Final Thoughts
The Nativity story is a profound illustration of God’s love and the sacrifice made for our salvation. Through the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, we witness joy, obedience, and divine guidance. Just like Mary and Joseph, we are encouraged to trust God’s plan, even in challenging times. The visit of the shepherds and the wise men further emphasizes the importance of sharing the good news with others while recognizing Jesus as our King.
As we reflect on the Nativity story, let’s commit ourselves to following God’s directions and spreading His love in our lives. We are reminded that the birth of Jesus is not just an event to be celebrated but a transformative moment that invites us to embrace our faith and share it with others.
For more on the first Christmas, you can visit Bible Verses About The First Christmas. If you want to learn about the coming Messiah, check out Bible Verses About The Coming Messiah.