“This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about” (Matt. 1:18).
“Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you” (Luke 1:3).
“In the beginning was the Word, and Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).
A lot of Christians will hear or read the Christmas story with their family, at church, or in personal devotions. The challenge is this: Which version do we read?
If we read the Christmas story from Matthew’s Gospel only, we will miss the scenes about John the Baptist’s parents, the angel’s announcement to Mary, and the proclamation to the shepherds by the heavenly host. If we stick exclusively with Luke’s version, we miss the angel appearing to Joseph, the visit of the magi, Herod’s response, plus Matthew’s emphasis on Jesus’s fulfillment of OT prophecy. If we miss the Apostle John’s unique perspective on Jesus’s divinity, we may forget that He was 100% God as well as 100% man.
But what if we could simply read the whole story of Jesus’s birth from start to finish in chronological order? That might be more meaningful. However, I do not recall ever seeing such a list of Scriptures.
So, the assignment I felt inspired to accept yesterday was to put such a list together so that others might be reminded of the significant events prior to, during, and after Jesus’s birth to be filled once again with awe and wonder at the miracle of Jesus’s birth. He is Immanuel, God with us.
Significant events prior to Jesus’s birth
- John 1:1 – In the begininng, Jesus was with God, and was God
- Matt. 1:1-17 – The genealogy of Jesus from Abraham to Joseph
- Luke 1:5-25 – The birth of John the Baptist foretold (Zechariah and Elizabeth)
- Luke 1:26-38 – The angel’s announcement to Mary
- Luke 1:39-45 – Mary visits Elizabeth
- Luke 1:46-56 – Mary’s song
- Matt. 1:18-25 – An angel appeared to Joseph
- Luke 1:57-80 – The birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah’s song
- Luke 2:1-5 – The census brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem
Significant events immediately following Jesus’s birth
- Luke 2:6-7 – Jesus was born, wrapped in cloths, and placed in a manger
- Luke 2:8-20 – The angel’s appearance to the shepherds
- Luke 2:21-24 – Jesus presented at the temple on the 8th day
- Luke 2:25-35 – Simeon’s blessing
- Luke 2:36-39 – Anna’s prophecy
Significant events after Jesus’s birth
- Matt. 2:1-8 – The Magi arrive in Jerusalem, Herod responds
- Matt. 2:9-12 – The Magi present gifts and return
- Matt. 2:13-15 – Mary, Joseph, and Jesus escape to Egypt
- Matt. 2:16-18 – Herod kills all boys who were 2 years old
- Matt. 2:19-23 – Mary, Joseph, and Jesus return to Nazareth
- Luke 2:40 – Jesus grew up and became strong
Please note that the Magi’s presentation of gold, incense, and myrrh as described in Matthew’s Gospel, despite most artistic expressions of the manger scene, most likely happened up to two years later. I say that based on Herod’s decree to have all boys two years old and younger killed (Matt. 2:16).
My heart’s desire is that by reading these accounts of Jesus’s birth, we will find something new this year to inspire us, whether it be the faith of Joseph, the submission of Mary, the generosity of the Magi, the worship by the shepherds, the blessing of Simeon, or a fresh amazement of the miracle of Jesus’s birth.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Russ Gehrlein
Featured Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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