Christmas Story

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Christmas Story

• Introduction
• Read Original Words
• Watch Video
• Listen to Audio Explanation
• Common Questions

Christmas Story: General Introduction
The Christmas story is the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in the town of Bethlehem, Israel. Jesus "Christ" is known as the founder or central figure of "Christianity." Christmas is a Christian holiday on December 25 that commemorates the birth of Jesus. Ancient Romans also commemorated Jesus' birth by marking a division of the calendar still in use today. The years before Jesus' birth are marked as B.C. (Before Christ), and the years after Jesus' birth are marked A.D. (Anno Domini, which means, in the year of our Lord).

Christmas literally means the Mass (celebration) of Christ. "Christ" is a Greek word and title, meaning "anointed" or one set apart by God for a special purpose. "Christ" is equivalent to the Hebrew word "Messiah." Based on the words of ancient prophets, the first century Jewish people expected the arrival of the Messiah promised by God as a great deliver of the people.

Christmas Story: Original Words

Read the Christmas story from an ancient biographer, Luke (Chapter 2).

Luke's biography records how Mary and her husband Joseph left their home in Nazareth to travel to Joseph's ancestral home, Bethlehem, to enroll in the census ordered by the Roman emperor, Augustus. Finding no room in inns in the town, they set up primitive lodgings in a stable. There Mary gave birth to Jesus in a manger or stall. Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, the home of the house of King David from which Joseph was descended, fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. This is confirmed to Mary by a visit from angels and shepherds.

Read the Christmas story from an ancient biographer, Matthew (Chapter 1).

Matthew's biography begins by recounting the genealogy and virgin birth of Jesus, and then moves to the coming of the Wise Men from the Orient (likely China) to where Jesus was staying after his birth in Bethlehem. The wise men, or Magi, first arrived in Jerusalem and reported to the king of Judea, Herod the Great, that they had seen a star heralding the birth of a king. Further inquiry led them to Bethlehem of Judea and the location of Mary and Joseph. They presented Jesus with treasures of "gold, frankincense, and myrrh."

Christmas Story: Common Questions and Answers

• Where was Jesus born?
• What is a Virgin birth??
• Why was Jesus born in an animal barn (manger)?
• What does gift giving at Christmas mean?
• How does the Christmas story relate to us today?

Christmas Story: In Audio

Hear the Christmas story explained by Mark Foreman, Ph.D, as you read along the original words recorded in the Bible:

• The Birth of Jesus Christ: Read | Listen

• The Geneology (Ancestors) of Jesus: Read | Listen

• The Birth of Jesus Foretold (Prediction): Read | Listen

• The Visit of the Magi (wise men): Read | Listen