The Christmas Story

Christmas honors the birth of Jesus. The events of the Nativity is central to the celebration of Christmas among Christians, signifying that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, promised in the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Characters of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth as told in the Gospels of the Bible, in particular, Matthew and Luke.

The Nativity Cast: 

• Mary – Knew that her baby was the Son of God

• Joseph – Was told that Jesus was born to be the Savior

• The Shepherds – Were excited because the baby is Lord

• The Wise Men – Worshiped him as their new king

• Herod – Wanted to simply get rid of the infant Jesus

• Jesus – Superstar, Son of God, Messiah

The Synopsis / Plot of the Christmas Story

The story starts with some shocking news. A young woman, Mary, was engaged to Joseph. (Mathew 1:18). God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message to her: (Luke 1:26-27) “God is pleased with you and you will have a son. His name will be called Jesus.”  (Luke 1:30-31)

The Annunciation

It was but natural for Mary to be worried and anxious. How can this happen? She is not married! What will her boyfriend, Joseph, say?  The angel assured her not to be afraid, that everything is under control – the Holy Spirit will come down to her, and God’s power will come over her. Her child will be called the holy Son of God.  

Joseph and Mary

Joseph, a kindly man, did not want to embarrass Mary before everyone. He decided to call off the wedding quietly. (Matthew 1:19)

An angel of the Lord came to him in a dream and told him, “Joseph, the baby that Mary will have is from the holy spirit. Go ahead, marry her, then after the baby is born, name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Joseph and Mary soon married. (Matthew 1:24-25)

The Census and Trip to Bethlehem

Now, something got in the way with the pregnant Mary and her husband, Joseph. The Roman Emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. Joseph then had to go to Bethlehem in Judea being a registered citizen there. He took with him Mary, who was obviously pregnant by this time.   

It was in Bethlehem that Mary gave birth to her first child, a son, as prophesied. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger as there was no room for them in the local village inn. (Luke 2:7)

The Shepherds

That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. (Luke 2:8)  All of a sudden an angel came down to them, and they were afraid. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you which will make everyone happy. This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior is born. He is Christ the Lord.”

The shepherds went to see what the angel told them about. They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay in a manger. They were delighted to worship the infant child. On their way back, the shepherds were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel has said. (Luke 2:15-20)

The Three Wise Men and Herod

Herod was king of Judea when Jesus was born.  

About that time, three wise men (or Magi) from the East arrived in Jerusalem, asking where this newborn ‘king of the Jews’ is, as they have seen his star.

Herod, upon hearing of the Magi’s query, was deeply disturbed by their question. (Matthew 2:1-5) He sent a private message to the wise men asking them to come and see him. On seeing the Magi, Herod asked them to go to Bethlehem and search carefully for the child, that when they find him, they should let him know so he too can worship the child. Herod was lying! He wanted to know where the child was so he could get rid of him.  

The star the wise men saw in the east went on ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They were thrilled and excited to see the star. (Matthew 2:9-10)  When the wise men found the place and saw the child, they knelt down and worshiped him. (Matthew 2:11) They brought gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense.

Herod Outwitted

When it was time for the Magi to leave, they went home another way, as an angel of God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. (Matthew 2:12) Herod was furious when he learned that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under. (Matthew 2:16)

Jesus Escapes

Jesus, the Christ child escaped the threats of Herod.  He grew in wisdom and in favor with God. He became strong and wise and God blessed him. (Luke 2:40) The story of Christmas, the Nativity, ends here, but it is only the beginning of Jesus Christ’s life on earth.

A blessed Christmas to all!