The Story of Christmas and Why We Celebrate

Christmas can seem like it’s only about gifts or family or travel, but why do we actually celebrate Christmas? What’s the story of Christmas?

Christmas is centered around the birth of Jesus Christ, and you can read about it in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.

Here is a brief summary

The Annunciation:
About 2,000 years ago, in the town of Nazareth, there lived a young woman named Mary. One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to her with a divine message. He told Mary that she had found favor with God and would conceive a child by the Holy Spirit. This child would be the Son of God, and she was to name him Jesus.

Mary’s Acceptance:
Though initially surprised and uncertain, Mary humbly accepted this extraordinary task, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” This event is known as the Annunciation.

Joseph’s Dream:
Mary was engaged to a man named Joseph. When he learned of Mary’s pregnancy, he initially planned to break off their engagement quietly. However, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, explaining that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and he was to take Mary as his wife. Joseph, too, obeyed God’s message.

The Journey to Bethlehem:
Around this time, the Roman Emperor Augustus issued a decree for a census, requiring everyone to return to their ancestral towns. Joseph, being of the house of David, had to travel with Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

The Birth in Bethlehem:
When they arrived in Bethlehem, the town was crowded, and there was no place for them to stay except a humble stable. It was there, in the midst of animals and straw, that Mary gave birth to Jesus. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger.

The Shepherds and the Angels:
In the fields near Bethlehem, shepherds were tending their flocks by night. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them, announcing the good news of the birth of the Savior. A multitude of angels then joined in praising God. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem, found the baby Jesus as the angels had described, and spread the word about the miraculous birth.

The Visit of the Magi:
From the East, wise men, or Magi, saw a special star in the sky, indicating the birth of a king. They traveled to Jerusalem, where King Herod learned of their quest. The star led the Magi to the young child in Bethlehem, and they presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Flight to Egypt and Return to Nazareth:
To protect the child from Herod’s threat, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled to Egypt. After Herod’s death, they returned to Nazareth, where Jesus grew up.