Background
The Christmas story is an integral part of the celebration and tradition of Christmas, which is celebrated annually by Christian adherents all over the world. It is the center of celebration, but many people forget that the story is a well-known Christian scripture found in the Bible. The story is known amongst Christians as well as non-believers; however, which book of the Bible is the Christmas story in?
The Christmas story is recounted in two books of the Bible, the Gospel of Luke and the Gospel of Matthew, both found in the New Testament. The story tells of the birthplace of Jesus Christ and the events surrounding it, such as the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, the annunciation of the angels, the visit of the shepherds and the wise men, and the dreams of Joseph and the shepherds. Comparing the two gospels, it is clear that each of them contains different details. The accurate Christmas story can be discovered by reading and comparing these two books.
History
The Christmas Story begins in the book of Luke when throughout the Roman occupied Judea, a decree was issued by Caesar Augustus to ‘enroll the entire world’. Mary, a young Jewish woman of Nazareth, was engaged to Joseph who was a descendent of the royal house of David. It was during this period that the angel Gabriel informed Mary that she would be the one to bring forth the Savior of the world, who would be prophesied as a messiah.
Mary then went to Bethlehem with Joseph, being guided by a star that navigated them through their journey. After the arrival, Joseph and Mary found no room in the inn and were forced to stay in a manger, sleeping like any other common traveler. Suddenly, a host of heavenly angels appeared in the sky proclaiming a new King and the birth of Jesus Christ.
The next day, the shepherds of Bethlehem rushed to the manger and found Mary and Joseph and their infant son, Jesus. They proclaimed the news to the people of Bethlehem, who in turn celebrated the birth of the messiah. Later, the three wise men, guided by the same star that showed Joseph and Mary the way to Bethlehem, arrived with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, to honor the newborn Messiah.
Adoption Into Popular Culture
The Christmas story has not only been used for spiritual purposes but has also been adopted in popular culture. Many artists have released albums and songs talking about the birth of Jesus Christ, including legendary singers such as Elvis Presley, Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby. The story has also been depicted in movies for generations, with some of the most renowned ones being “The Nativity Story” and “The Miracle of the Christmas”.
The Christmas story has also been popularized by authors, with children’s books such as “The First Christmas” and “The Christmas Star” sharing the miraculous birth and giving us a better understanding of the event. Even classic novels such as “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens uses the Christmas story as a main part of the plot, depicting the transformation of a selfish man who, through the help of Christmas spirit and supernatural beings, truly understands the value of Christmas.
Controversy and Debate
While the Biblical story of Christmas is widely accepted by the Christian faithful and celebrated in many churches around the world, there has been debate and controversy over the validity of the story, with many experts claiming that it may have been crafted around the time of the Roman Empire to coincide with their religious holidays and festivals. Most notably, Kathleen E. Corley, author of “The Birth of Jesus and Its Relations to the festival of Saturnalia”, has postulated that the story of the birth of Jesus was taken from and inspired by the gift-giving pagan Roman festival of Saturnalia, also known as the feast of Saturn. This has caused a great controversy among many Christian sects who debate this connection.
Another source of controversy is the certainty of the location of the birth of Jesus. In the Gospel of Matthew, it is written that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, while Luke’s Gospel states the point of origin to be Nazareth. However, numerous historical records, such as the modern-day town of Bethlehem and the Temple in Jerusalem, contradict the Biblical accounts. This has caused a further debate among Biblical scholars and artists alike, as they in turn ask which of the two versions is more authentic.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Christmas story has become a powerful symbol all over the world; with many Christian, artist, historians and scholars examining the story and its many interpretations.The Christmas story is from the book of Luke and Matthew in the New Testament of the Bible, with both holding details that complete the picture. While its celebration has been adopted into popular culture and is widespread all over the world; debate and controversy arise from its accuracy and validity as a Biblical text.
