The Christmas Nativity Story

Perhaps one of the most beloved accounts of all time regarding the Christian faith is the story of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, which details the Messiah's birth to the Virgin Mary on the night of December 25, although the Bible's New Testament actually gives no reference to that exact date which was adopted many years later.

Today, nativity scenes are an integral part of Christmas decorations everywhere and include everything from life-sized figures to delicate ornaments for the tree to miniature scenes complete with stable, shepherds and their animals, and of course, the baby Jesus soundly asleep away in the manger.

But, what is the actual account of Christ's birth and how did those particular images of that night so long ago come to be so familiar and such an important part of the Christmas celebration? Read on to learn more of the story from the gospels of both Luke and Matthew in the Bible that has become synonymous with the birth of Christianity, the day of Christ's birth to his virgin mother and a poor carpenter.

The Long Journey

A little over 2,000 years ago, a young woman named Mary and a hardworking, noble carpenter named Joseph were living in the town of Nazareth and were soon due to be married. The archangel named Gabriel was sent down from heaven as a messenger from the almighty God to tell young Mary that she was chosen from all the women on earth to be the Virgin Mother and give birth to God's only begotten son. Mary was told she would soon be overcome by the spirit of the Holy Ghost and nine months later, have a son who she would name Jesus.

Before the baby was due to arrive, the growing family was told they had to quickly leave Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem to pay a mandatory special tax and be counted in a census. This was ordered down to residents of the small town by the ruler Caesar Augustus, unfortunately, with the long, arduous journey taking place through the desert terrain just as Mary was ready to give birth to her child.

No Room at the Inn

Upon finally arriving in Bethlehem, the traditional story continues with accounts of Mary, who was just about to give birth, and Joseph being repeatedly turned away from inns that were already filled with patrons. This led the couple to find shelter in the form of a stable of farm animals where it was there, amongst the sheep, donkeys, and oxen that Mary would then give birth to the new messiah. The "manger" that was used was said to be a feeding trough for the animals which Joseph filled with hay for Mary to lay the newborn swaddled in cloths to keep him warm and safe.

While there is no actual reference in the Bible of the stable nor the many animals, in the Gospel of Luke 2:7, it does refer to the tiny manger and states that, "She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Today, we do know that the stable and the manger did in fact exist as both were uncovered recently deep within a cave that still can be still seen today in the city of Bethlehem.

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