Nativity of Jesus
The birth of Jesus, narrated in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke and commemorated by Christians at Christmas.
Infancy narrative in Matthew: Matthew’s account of Jesus’ origins, from his genealogy through the family’s return from Egypt. It centers on Joseph, the Magi, Herod, and the flight to Egypt.
Gospel of Matthew: A New Testament Gospel presenting Jesus as the Messiah in a narrative shaped by Jewish scripture. Its opening chapters contain one of the two canonical birth accounts.
Historical Jesus: The first-century Jewish teacher and preacher whose life is studied through historical methods. Historical inquiry distinguishes evidence about Jesus’ birth from later narrative and doctrine.
Incarnation: The Christian doctrine that God became human in Jesus Christ. The birth is understood as the beginning of God’s human life.
Synoptic Gospels: The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, which share substantial narrative and verbal material. Only Matthew and Luke include accounts of Jesus’ birth.
Infancy narrative in Luke: Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, including announcements to Mary and shepherds and the visit to the temple. It emphasizes Mary, shepherds, and the journey to Bethlehem.
Gospel of Luke: A New Testament Gospel narrating Jesus’ life and teachings within a story extending into Acts. Its opening chapters provide the other canonical birth account.
Biblical criticism: The scholarly study of biblical texts’ composition, sources, historical settings, and interpretation. It compares Matthew’s and Luke’s distinct traditions and literary aims.
Nativity scene: A visual representation of Jesus’ birth, commonly showing Mary, Joseph, and the child. It brings elements from the Gospel narratives together in devotional imagery.
Gospel of Mark: The earliest surviving canonical Gospel, which begins with John the Baptist and Jesus’ adult ministry. It contains no infancy narrative, unlike Matthew and Luke.