Jesus - His birth

Read about the Life of Jesus in Comic Form in the following languages:

The Bible Story

The story of the birth of Jesus is one of the greatest stories, one which we recount in a variety of ways every Christmas. In the Bible, the story is told explicitly in two places, in the Gospel of Matthew and in the Gospel of Luke.

Mary and Joseph

In Luke the story begins with the birth of John the Baptist to Elisabeth and Zacharias. Mary, a young girl and relative of Elisabeth was visited by the angel Gabriel. He told her that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God, whose name was to be called Jesus. Mary was firmly engaged to a man named Joseph. According to Matthew's Gospel, Joseph was going to break off this legal engagement (espousal) by taking the appropriate legal proceedings. However, he too was visited by the angel to assure him that his wife, a virgin, would give birth to the Son of the Highest.

No Room in the Inn

When Mary was due to give birth, she and her husband had to travel to Bethlehem, the city of their great ancestor King David, to register for the Roman census ordered by Caesar Augustus. While they were there, and with no where to stay (there was NO room at the inn), Mary gave birth. According to the traditions of the day, he was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manger (an animal feeding trough or rack), which acted as a temporary cot.

The Shepherds

Only Luke tells the story of the shepherds. On the same night that Jesus was born, they were told by the angel the good news. When they arrived in Bethlehem, they found Mary and Joseph and the new-born baby who was lying in a manger.

Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

Only Matthew tells the story of the wise men. However, contrary to the way in which the story is popularly told and portrayed, they did not come at the same time as the shepherds. It was at least six weeks later (after the 40 day purification sacrifice mentioned by Luke in chapter 2 vv 22 onwards) and maybe up to two years (as suggested by Matthew in chapter 2 v 16).

Having seen a star of special significance when they were in the East, the wise men, or Magi, came to Jerusalem asking Herod (King of the Jews) where the new King of the Jews had been born. They were directed to Bethlehem (according to the old Bible prophecy), and, finding Jesus, worshipped Him and gave Him gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

Gold is very valuable and suggests Kingship. Christians refer to Jesus as the King of kings.
Frankincense is a sweet smelling substance which was burned in worship by the priests in the Temple. It would suggest priesthood. Christians refer to Jesus as their Great High-Priest.

Myrrh was an ointment which was used for people when they were buried. It stands for suffering and death. It indicates the sacrifice Jesus would make for the sins of the world.
The story of Jesus' birth and the visit of the wise men is told in Matthew chapters 1 and 2.
The story of the births of John the Baptist and Jesus, and the visit of the shepherds is told in Luke chapters 1 and 2.

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Graham Jones