The Christmas story, one of the most beloved and significant narratives in Christian tradition, recounts the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. As Christians around the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus each December, they turn to the Bible for a deeper understanding of the events that transpired more than two thousand years ago in Bethlehem. But the question remains: which book of the Bible tells the Christmas story? While the birth of Christ is recorded in the New Testament, it is especially prominent in two particular books: Matthew and Luke. In addition, John and Mark, though not directly focused on Christ’s nativity, contribute important theological insights that illuminate the significance of the event.
In this article, we will explore the Christmas story as it is told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, delve into the theological themes that emerge from these accounts, and discuss how the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Mark offer essential perspectives on the birth and identity of Jesus Christ. By examining these texts, we can deepen our understanding of the Christmas story and its profound impact on the Christian faith.
The Gospel of Matthew: The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus
The Genealogy of Jesus Christ
The Gospel of Matthew, written by the apostle Matthew, is the first book of the New Testament and presents a Jewish perspective on the life of Jesus Christ. Matthew’s account of the Christmas story begins with a detailed genealogy of Jesus. This genealogy traces Jesus’ lineage back to Abraham, establishing Him as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the coming of a Messiah. Matthew emphasizes that Jesus is the Son of David, a descendant of the great King David, and thus fulfills God’s promise to David that one of his descendants would sit on his throne forever (see 2 Samuel 7:16).
Matthew writes:
“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” (Matthew 1:1, KJV)
Matthew’s genealogy serves to underscore the fulfillment of prophecy, showing that Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah who would bring salvation to the Jewish people and, through them, to the world.
The Announcement of Jesus’ Birth to Joseph
After establishing Jesus’ royal lineage, Matthew moves into the narrative of Jesus’ birth. He recounts how Mary, the betrothed of Joseph, was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph, being a righteous man, initially planned to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, explaining that Mary’s pregnancy was the result of divine intervention and that she was to bear a son, Jesus, who would save His people from their sins.
The angel said:
“Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21, KJV)
This passage reveals the divine nature of Christ’s birth. It emphasizes that Jesus’ birth was not a natural occurrence but the fulfillment of God’s salvific plan for the world. His name, “Jesus,” means “the Lord saves,” which is a powerful statement of the purpose of His life and mission. The angel’s words also echo the prophecy from Isaiah 7:14, which Matthew cites in Matthew 1:23, affirming that Jesus is the Emmanuel, “God with us.”
The Visit of the Wise Men
One of the most cherished elements of Matthew’s Christmas story is the account of the wise men (or Magi) who traveled from the East to worship the newborn king. They had seen His star rise in the sky, and they came to Jerusalem seeking the King of the Jews. Their arrival in Jerusalem caused a stir, and King Herod, disturbed by the potential threat to his throne, inquired of the chief priests and scribes about the location of the Messiah’s birth. The scribes directed him to Bethlehem, based on the prophecy in Micah 5:2.
When the wise men found the child Jesus, they worshiped Him and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts were not only symbols of their reverence for Jesus but also had symbolic meanings that pointed to His divine kingship (gold), His priestly role (frankincense), and His future suffering (myrrh). This event highlights the universal significance of Christ’s birth, as Gentile scholars recognized the importance of His coming and responded in worship.
“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:10-11, KJV)
The Escape to Egypt
After the visit of the wise men, an angel warned Joseph in a dream that Herod sought to kill the child. As a result, Joseph took Mary and Jesus and fled to Egypt, where they stayed until Herod’s death. This fulfills another prophecy from Hosea 11:1, which states, “Out of Egypt have I called my son.” This escape highlights the danger surrounding Jesus’ birth and underscores the divine protection over the infant Savior.
The Gospel of Luke: The Birth of Jesus Christ
The Announcement to Zechariah and Elizabeth
The Gospel of Luke, written by the physician and historian Luke, provides a more detailed narrative of the birth of Jesus and the events surrounding it. Luke’s account begins with the story of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. An angel appears to Zechariah and tells him that his wife, who had been barren, would conceive a son. Zechariah initially doubts the angel’s message, but the angel assures him that this child, John, would be the forerunner of the Messiah, preparing the way for Jesus.
“And the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zechariah: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.” (Luke 1:13, KJV)
This announcement to Zechariah sets the stage for the coming of Jesus, as it highlights the fulfillment of prophecies about a prophet who would prepare the way for the Messiah (see Malachi 3:1).
The Annunciation to Mary
One of the most profound moments in Luke’s Christmas narrative is the Annunciation, where the angel Gabriel visits Mary, a young woman in Nazareth, to announce that she has been chosen to bear the Son of God. Gabriel tells Mary that she will conceive a child by the Holy Spirit, and that this child will be the Son of the Most High, fulfilling the prophecies of the coming Messiah.
“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.” (Luke 1:30-31, KJV)
Mary’s response, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word” (Luke 1:38), exemplifies her faith and obedience to God’s will. This moment marks the incarnation, the moment when God becomes flesh and dwells among His people in the person of Jesus Christ.
The Birth of Jesus
Luke provides the familiar details of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, under humble circumstances. There was no room for Mary and Joseph in the inn, so Jesus was laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals. This humble setting emphasizes the humility of Christ’s birth and His mission to bring salvation to all people, regardless of their social status.
“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7, KJV)
The Shepherds and the Angels
Luke also recounts the angelic announcement to the shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem. The angels proclaim the birth of the Savior, and a host of angels sings praises to God, declaring peace on earth. The shepherds, filled with awe and wonder, immediately go to Bethlehem to see the newborn Jesus and spread the word of His birth.
“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, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:13-14, KJV)
The shepherds’ visit underscores the universal nature of Christ’s birth—His coming is not just for the wealthy or powerful, but for the humble and lowly.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
After eight days, when it was time for Mary and Joseph to present Jesus at the temple in accordance with Jewish law, they encountered Simeon, a devout man who had been promised by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon takes Jesus in his arms and prophesies about the child’s role in the salvation of Israel and the world.
“Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” (Luke 2:29-30, KJV)
The Gospel of John: The Word Made Flesh
Although the Gospel of John does not provide a narrative of Jesus’ birth, it offers a profound theological reflection on the significance of the Incarnation. John begins his Gospel with a declaration about the pre-existence of Jesus as the Word (Logos) and emphasizes that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” (John 1:1, 14, KJV)
In this way, the Gospel of John contributes to the understanding of Christmas by emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus Christ and the profound mystery of God becoming human to bring salvation to humanity.
Conclusion
While the Christmas story is not confined to a single book of the Bible, it is most fully told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, each contributing distinct perspectives on the birth of Jesus Christ. Matthew focuses on the royal lineage of Jesus and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, while Luke provides a rich, detailed narrative that highlights the humility and universality of Jesus’ birth. The Gospel of John offers a theological reflection on the Incarnation, underscoring the divine mystery of the birth of Christ. Together, these Gospels paint a complete picture of the Christmas story, one that continues to inspire and transform the lives of Christians around the world.
You Might Be Interested In:
- “The Christmas Story” KJV: A Timeless Account of the Birth of Jesus Christ
- The Birth of Jesus – Nativity Story Bible Verses & Meaning
- Isaiah 7:14 & Its Significance in the Christmas Story