Although the Biblical account of the nativity revolves around the birth of Jesus Christ, and the roles of the Holy Spirit, Mary and Joseph, there are other figures, people and groups of people who have an important place in the telling of this historical event.
Biblical Accounts of the Christmas Story
In the New King James Version of the Bible, the two passages that give details of the nativity are found in Luke 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-2. The account in Luke is the most commonly read at Christmastime. It gives several details that are missing in Matthew and it emphasizes Jesus’ miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit. In the Matthew account the emphasis is on the belief that Jesus is the King of the Jews.
The Central Figures in the Christmas Story of the Bible
The Central Figures of the Christmas story of the Bible (NKJV) are Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Mary and Joseph:
Jesus Christ – Jesus was born to Mary, after God sent the Holy Spirit to make her conceive. Jesus’ earthly father was Mary’s husband, Joseph, of the house of David.
The Old Testament prophesies Jesus coming, while the New Testament tells of His birth, life, death and resurrection. The New Testament explains that Jesus Christ is both God and man. He is also one person in the Trinity, at one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus existed before the creation of the world and brought it into existence.
God chose and anointed Jesus, and he came to earth to take away our sins. Born without sin, he lived a perfect life, and gave his life as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. People are saved when they come to him in faith and ask him to take away their sins.
Jesus returned to his Father in heaven to act on behalf of his people. He sent his Spirit to be with Christians in his absence, and pleads their case before the Father. He is preparing a place for them in heaven. He will return at the last day to reign.
The Holy Spirit – The Spirit was sent by God to make Mary conceive Jesus without her having had a physical relationship with a man.
Mary – Mary was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus. The Bible tells that she was a devout Jewish woman, who was engaged to the carpenter Joseph. The angel Gabriel appeared to her with the news that God wanted her to be the mother of his Son. She wrote a song of praise after learning of her pregnancy. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth until Augustus’ census forced them to go to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.
Joseph – Joseph, of the house of King David, was engaged to Jesus’ mother, Mary. He was a carpenter and was visited by an angel on four occasions. Each time, he followed the instructions of the angel.
Other People and Figures in the Christmas Story of the Bible
Besides Jesus, Mary and Joseph, there were other people and groups of people involved in the events of the nativity (NKJV):
The Angel Gabriel – The angel Gabriel is sent to Mary to tell her that she has been chosen by God to give birth to Jesus, the Son of the Highest. Gabriel assures her that she has nothing to fear, she is highly favored, God is with her, and she is blessed among women.
Caesar Augustus – This was the Roman Emperor at the time of Jesus’ birth. He gave the decree that each person had to go to his own city to be registered, thus causing Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem.
Herod the king – This is Herod the Great, who ruled over Palestine from 37 B.C. until his death in 4 A.D. He is upset at Jesus’ birth because of the reference to this event as the birth of the King of the Jews. This title had been given to Herod by Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor. Herod had all of the boy children of the Bethlehem area, who were two years old and under, killed in an attempt to get rid of Jesus.
The Wise Men – These men “from eastern lands” were also known as the Magi. They came from the East to visit Jesus shortly after he was born. They followed a star that indicated to them where the King of the Jews was born. These men are believed to have been some type of astrologers or magicians who interpret dreams.
The Shepherds – The shepherds were watching over sheep in the fields near Bethlehem when an angel appeared and told them about the good news of Jesus’ birth. Other angels joined the first angel and praised God. After the angels left, the shepherds went to see Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. They told everyone they met of what they had heard and seen.
The Angels – There are many angels in the Christmas story. The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, an angel speaks to Joseph on four occasions and a multitude of angels appear to the shepherds to praise God, after one angel had told them the good news of Jesus’ birth.
There are several figures, people and groups of people who play roles in the Christmas story, as related in the Bible. This basic information about them will add to Bible study in family or group settings.
Stella Walsh - Stella Walsh is a Christian writer, student of theology, elementary school teacher, committed church volunteer and photography ...
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