The Virgin Birth
The New Testament Evangelists of Matthew and Luke both recount Jesus’ miraculous birth from the Virgin Mary. According to these, the child Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea. The two books differ only in detail; Mark and John make no mention of his birth in their Gospels. Both Matthew and Luke, however, share the same main premise of a supernatural birth and fulfilment of prophecy.
In Matthew’s version (1:18-25), Joseph, the carpenter and husband of Mary, discovers that his intended is pregnant and is dismayed. He resolves to marry her quietly, so as not to publicly disgrace her. But an angel of the Lord visits Joseph in a dream and explains that the pregnancy is due to the Holy Spirit: ’she will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins’. Joseph duly weds Mary and Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
Luke’s account (2:1-7) is set against the backdrop of a decree from the mighty Roman emperor Augustus, that the whole world should be taxed. This is when Joseph and Mary travel from Nazareth, where Mary is living, to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestral home town. Here, Jesus is born in a stable due to overcrowding in the inn. A mysterious host of angels heralds the miraculous birth to nearby shepherds, ‘glory to God in the highest, peace on earth and good will to all’.
Both accounts agree that the birth of Jesus is pre-ordained. This is confirmed by Isaiah who prophesises ‘Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).
The Magi’s Arrival
After Jesus was born, the magi, often referred to as ‘The Three Wise Men’, arrived to see the child. The magi are mentioned only in Matthew’s Gospel (2:1–12) and it is hard to establish the exact number. We know for sure, however, that the wise men were kings who could read the stars and were guided to the baby Jesus by a star in the sky.
When they arrived at Jesus’s birthplace, they paid homage to him and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. As the story goes, the magi learned in a dream not to report back to Herod, who wanted to kill the baby Jesus.
The existence of Magi is somewhat mysterious but, in general, they were thought to be men of science who were knowledgeable in magical arts, astrology and medicine. They were widespread in the Middle East and probably travelled around in search of magical knowledge.
The Flight to Egypt
In Matthew’s Gospel (2:13–21) we hear of Joseph, Mary and fledging Jesus’ dramatic escape to the safety of Egypt. This was brought about by Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus, as predicted by the prophets, which had been warned to Joseph in a dream.
The family flee to Egypt before making an epic journey back to the safety of Nazareth. Whilst in Egypt, Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, undoubtedly provided prayer and teaching for the child as it is widely accepted that Jesus was Literate, being able to read and write in Aramaic, Hebrew and a little Greek (John 19:17).
Childhood and Education
When Jesus returned to Nazareth he grew up to become an unusually wise and talented youngster, a fact which caused much amazement. It is recorded in the Gospels that Jesus amazed the teachers at the synagogue with his understanding of the holy scriptures when he was just twelve years old (Luke 2:41–52).
We also know that he would have had access to other forms of knowledge from the Middle East, such as the writings of the Jewish prophets and law. We can be certain that whatever knowledge Jesus had acquired, his parents had taught him well in an environment with a strong Christian ethos.
Significance of Jesus’ Birth
The birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary is central to Christianity as it symbolises the idea of the ‘divine Son’ sent to earth by God. To Christians, it is seen as the fulfilment of a prophecy made by Isaiah and the fulfilment of God’s promise to human kind. This miraculous occurrence is given the highest significance, not just in Christianity, but beyond.
The purpose of God sending his son to earth is a central factor in Christology. According to the New Testament, Jesus was sent to earth to act as a saviour (John 3:17). To many, Jesus represents the epitome of love, and his example in humility, mercy, and unconditional love serves to remind us of our connection to one another and the divine.
Influence of Jesus’ Birth Tale
The story of Jesus’ birth has had a profound influence on religious, social and political opinions throughout the centuries. The narrative of the miraculous virgin birth has been used to further a range of causes, from theological arguments for theism, to social justice in the protestant reformation of the 16th century to religious freedom.
Furthermore, it has had a direct impact on literature, from the Bible stories of the great medieval myth-makers, to contemporary fiction such as ‘The Da Vinci Code’, which has arguably sparked a reattention to the life and legacy of Jesus.
The story has been a key factor in the moral and spiritual narrative of much Christendom and has been used to reinforce beliefs, debate theologies and to bring some of the greatest works of art to life.
Continued Relevance of Jesus’ Birth
The significance of Jesus’ birth spans generations. Each year, thousands of people commemorate it and the narrative continues to still hold relevance for present-day believers.
Groups of various faiths and denominations interpret the account and celebrate it as part of their Christian heritage. Protestants, for example, may be called to reflect on the arrival of Jesus from an individual perspective, pondering his intended message of humility and grace.
Meanwhile, Catholics may look to embracing the mystery and miracle of the Jesu’s birth, instead of the traditional Christmas-time festivities.
Examination of the Birth Account
While Jesus’ birth story does seem far-fetched, there’s no denying the spiritual power of its message. A critical examination of the account turns up more questions than answers, partly due to its reliance on a narrative which is not based on concrete evidence. That said, it is recognised as an accepted and pivotal part of the life of Jesus, thereby cementing its importance in Christianity.
Historically, the narrative carries much weight and it continues to be the basis of many spiritual practises and schools of thought in Christendom. Whilst some of the details of Jesus’ birth may be largely symbolic, to many his life and birth story are the only authentic historical accounts available.
The Role of Theology in Understanding Jesus’ Birth
Any true understanding of Jesus’ birth requires both faith and critical analysis. It is impossible to give a definitive answer to questions about Jesus’ birth – instead, faith must come into play. The faithful are called to examine the tale and ask questions about the uniqueness of the narrative and its power to move generations.
Christian theologians have checked and rechecked the birth account, trying to get to the heart of the message and its significance. Over the centuries, Jesus’ birth story has moved beyond strictly theological or biblical realms and become a window through which to explore the very nature of Christianity and its relevance to people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures.
Application of the Birth Story to Real Life
The terminology used when describing Jesus’ birth has held relevance and application in everyday life. Key words such as ‘virgin’, ‘angel’ and ‘wise men’ are known and understood by most and have found their way into common parlance.
Christians around the world consider Jesus’ birth as a time of spiritual renewal and dedicate time to reflecting on its message of love, joy, peace and acceptance. The very fact that Jesus was born in humble circumstances and that his parents risked everything to bring their divine son into the world serves as a reminder to us all to take courage in the face of adversity.
Conclusion of Jesus’ Birth Story
The account of Jesus’ birth is a fascinating subject, steeped in tradition and spiritual belief. Even when faced with a lack of evidence, a critical examination of the tale invites debates and questions which are impossible to answer definitively.
It is undeniable that the narrative of Jesus’ birth is pertinent to followers of both Christianity and other denominations, providing a source of faith and inspiration that has held true for generations. This spiritual power will no doubt continue for centuries to come.
