Birth of Christ
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The Birth of Christ, also known as the Nativity, is a foundational event in Christian theology, marking the incarnation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, into the world. This event is celebrated annually by Christians around the globe on December 25th, known as Christmas. The accounts of Christ's birth are primarily found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, each providing unique details that contribute to the full narrative of this miraculous event.

Prophecies and Announcements

The birth of Jesus was foretold by Old Testament prophets, most notably by Isaiah, who prophesied, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy is echoed in the New Testament, affirming Jesus as the fulfillment of God's promise to send a Savior.

The announcement of Jesus' birth is first made to Mary, a young virgin betrothed to Joseph, by the angel Gabriel. In Luke 1:31-33 , Gabriel declares, "Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end."

The Nativity Story

The Gospel of Luke provides a detailed account of the circumstances surrounding Jesus' birth. Due to a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered, Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, as Joseph is of the house and lineage of David (Luke 2:1-4). While in Bethlehem, Mary gives birth to Jesus and lays Him in a manger, "because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7).

The birth of Christ is announced to shepherds in the fields by an angel of the Lord, who proclaims, "Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). The shepherds visit the newborn Jesus, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

The Visit of the Magi

The Gospel of Matthew introduces the visit of the Magi, wise men from the East, who come to Jerusalem seeking the "King of the Jews" (Matthew 2:2). Guided by a star, they find Jesus in Bethlehem and present Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolizing His kingship, divinity, and future suffering (Matthew 2:11).

Theological Significance

The birth of Christ holds profound theological significance as it marks the moment when God took on human flesh, a doctrine known as the Incarnation. This event signifies the beginning of the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan for humanity, as Jesus is born to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). The humble circumstances of His birth, in a manger and visited by shepherds, underscore the accessibility of God's grace to all people, regardless of status or wealth.

The Birth of Christ is a pivotal moment in history, celebrated for its message of hope, peace, and salvation, as it heralds the arrival of the long-awaited Messiah, the Savior of the world.
Topical Bible Verses
Matthew 1:18
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 1:25
And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.
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Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Topicalbible.org

John 1:14
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelled among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Topicalbible.org

Greek
3824. paliggenesia -- regeneration, renewal
... 3824 ("renewal, rebirth") is used twice in the NT referring to: a) the re-birth
of at Christ's return (Advent), which inaugurates His millennial kingdom (Mt 19 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3824.htm - 7k

2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... They emphasized: Christ came through a virgin birth; His ; and the of all believers
at Christ's coming (ie through the physical resurrection of their bodies). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2583.htm - 7k

5207. huios -- a son
... 5207 -- properly, a (by birth or adoption); (figuratively) anyone sharing the as ...
begins with being reborn () by the heavenly Father -- through Christ (the work ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5207.htm - 8k

Library

The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of all Christians ...
... The Observation of the Birth of Christ, the Duty of All Christians; Or
the True Way of Keeping Christmas. Matthew 1:21 " "And she ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the observation of the birth.htm

The Incarnation and Birth of Christ
... The Incarnation and Birth of Christ. A Sermon ... THIS is the season of the year when,
whether we wish it or not, we are compelled to think of the birth of Christ. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the incarnation and birth of.htm

That the Birth of Christ in Time Diminished Nothing of the Glory ...
... Book VI. Chapter XIX. That the birth of Christ in time diminished nothing
of the glory and power of His Deity. For the fact that ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xix that the birth.htm

The Birth of Christ in Its Relations to the Jewish Theocracy.
... CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 13. The Birth of Christ in its
Relations to the Jewish Theocracy. AS the entrance of ...
/.../section 13 the birth of.htm

Christ's Birth
... Figure 14. The Shepherds' Tower. 2. OCCURRENCES DURING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IN DIFFERENT
LOCATIONS. ... 4. OCCURRENCES DURING THE BIRTH OF CHRIST IN JERUSALEM. ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xi christs birth.htm

The Taxing. --Birth of Christ at Bethlehem.
... CHAPTER III. THE BIRTH OF CHRIST. Section 15. The Taxing."Birth of Christ
at Bethlehem. By a remarkable interposition of Providence ...
/.../section 15 the taxing birth of.htm

Whether Christ's Birth was Made Known in a Becoming Order?
... the first-fruits of the Gentiles in faith. For this reason the birth of
Christ was made known to the shepherds before the Magi. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth was made.htm

Miracles at the Birth of Christ.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 136 Miracles at the birth of Christ. LM Miracles
at the birth of Christ. The King of Glory sends his Son. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 136 miracles at the.htm

Whether Christ's Birth Should have Been Manifested by Means of the ...
... at the birth of any man, left its orbit and made its way to him who was just born":
as happened in the case of the star which made known the birth of Christ. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth should have 3.htm

From Malachi to the Birth of Christ.
... Chapter XVII. From Malachi to The Birth of Christ. No Scripture. The Close
of the Old Testament History. We now come to the close ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvii from malachi to.htm

Resources
What is the new birth? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about birth control / contraceptives? Should Christians use birth control? | GotQuestions.org

Do the narratives of Jesus' birth contradict each other? | GotQuestions.org

Birth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Birth

Birth Control

Birth of a Baby

Birth of Christ

Birth Pains

Birth: Giving, Ordained to be in Sorrow

Birth: Pangs in Giving

Christmas

Contraception

Related Terms

Birth-day (2 Occurrences)

Birth-pangs (2 Occurrences)

Birth-right (9 Occurrences)

Birth-pains (10 Occurrences)

Birth-stool (1 Occurrence)

Birth-place (1 Occurrence)

After-birth (1 Occurrence)

Birthday (4 Occurrences)

Delivery (8 Occurrences)

Birthstool (1 Occurrence)

Pains (59 Occurrences)

Pregnant (33 Occurrences)

Birthright (10 Occurrences)

Sarai (13 Occurrences)

Untimely (5 Occurrences)

Twin (9 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Midwife (4 Occurrences)

Ancestry (7 Occurrences)

Isaac (127 Occurrences)

Base (127 Occurrences)

Origin (25 Occurrences)

Innocents (2 Occurrences)

Star (16 Occurrences)

Massacre (1 Occurrence)

Connection (72 Occurrences)

Baptismal (1 Occurrence)

Sarah (38 Occurrences)

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)

Zion's (6 Occurrences)

Kindred (41 Occurrences)

Moment (71 Occurrences)

Justus (3 Occurrences)

Gabriel (5 Occurrences)

Gripping (6 Occurrences)

Rachel (42 Occurrences)

Minute (19 Occurrences)

Miscarriage (4 Occurrences)

Merely (30 Occurrences)

Mother (2641 Occurrences)

Pangs (26 Occurrences)

Baby (23 Occurrences)

Breed (6 Occurrences)

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)

Childless (25 Occurrences)

Anguish (75 Occurrences)

Stars (64 Occurrences)

Psychology

Creeds

Magi (4 Occurrences)

Ruth (19 Occurrences)

Cain (18 Occurrences)

Ebionites

Ebionism

Bethlehem (49 Occurrences)

Beginning (187 Occurrences)

Hagar (15 Occurrences)

Produced (39 Occurrences)

Israelite (83 Occurrences)

Man's (347 Occurrences)

Born (228 Occurrences)

Conceived (66 Occurrences)

Virgin (62 Occurrences)

Relations (92 Occurrences)

Lands (226 Occurrences)

Older (43 Occurrences)

Labor (181 Occurrences)

Boy (94 Occurrences)

Nature (80 Occurrences)

Births (34 Occurrences)

Jacob (361 Occurrences)

Virginity (12 Occurrences)

Apostles'

Undertaking (30 Occurrences)

Unwell (3 Occurrences)

Jedidiah (1 Occurrence)

Litter (1 Occurrence)

Laughing (38 Occurrences)

Birth of Cain and Abel
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