Nativity of Jesus

The nativity of Jesus, nativity of Christ, birth of Jesus or birth of Christ is mentioned in the biblical gospels of Luke and Matthew.

Nativity scene

The two gospel both say that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judaea and that his birth was caused by divine intervention. In Contra Celsum 1.51, Origen, who travelled throughout Palestine beginning in around 215, wrote of the "manger of Jesus".

The Gospel according to Luke, about the Nativity, begins by narrating the Annunciation made by the Archangel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary of the conception and the birth of Jesus:

Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you: blessed are you among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the Angel said to her: fear not, Mary, for you have found grace with God. Behold you shall conceive in your womb, and shall bring forth a son; and you shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give to him the throne of David his father; and He shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the Angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the Angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon you, and the power of the most High shall overshadow you. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God. And behold your cousin Elizabeth, she also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren: because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word. And the Angel departed from her.

— Luke, 1:26–38,

In the Gospel of Matthew is detailed the Annunciation to Joseph: Mary the mother of Jesus was betrothed to Joseph, but was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Joseph intended to separate from her quietly, but an angel told him in a dream that he should take her as his wife and name the child Jesus, because "he will save his people from their sins". This would fulfil the prophecy that a virgin would give birth to a son, who would be known as Emmanuel, meaning "God is with us". Joseph awoke, took Mary for his wife (Matthew 1:18-24).

The Gospel according to Luke, about the Nativity of Jesus, describes the news of a census desired by Caesar Augustus throughout the Roman Empire, according to which everyone had to return with their family to the city of their ancestors. Joseph, a descendant of King David who was born in Bethlehem, leaves Nazareth with the Virgin Mary expecting a child as the Archangel said. In Bethlehem Mary gives birth to Jesus and the nativity is first announced by an angel to the shepherds:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest heaven,and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2,8-14)

The sheperds immediately went to pay homage to the newborn child glorifying and praising the Lord God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told by the Angel (Luke 2,16).

In the Letter to Titus, Saint Paul wrote these words about the event of the Nativity of Jesus: God’s grace has been revealed, and it has made salvation possible for the whole human race (Titus 2:11).

The date of birth for Jesus of Nazareth is not said in the gospels or in any secular text, but a majority of scholars believe that a date between 6 BC and 4 BC is most likely.

Christmas Day celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25.