The word “Nativity” typically makes many of us think of the sets and scenes that adorn our homes and yard during the Christmas season. As a child, I remember watching my mother carefully place painted porcelain figurines in a miniature stable. The wooden structure had bristly hay glued to the roof and sides. I would clutch the end of the table as I gazed at the scene filled with colors and story – the little baby Jesus in a manger surrounded by the kneeling figures of Mary, Joseph, an angel, the shepherds, and the wisemen. Even the animals bowed to the newborn King.
But those were not the only Nativity scenes I enjoyed seeing during Christmas. Numerous places around town had large sets featuring Jesus, Mary, and Joseph that illuminated the dark night. These could be as simple as a handful of figurines dotting a field to an elaborate scene with camels and donkeys. My family even saw a live Nativity a few times with kids wearing halos surrounded by farm animals and individuals dressed as onlookers to Jesus’ birth.
These scenes and decorations are great ways of introducing kids, young people, and adults to the grand story of Christmas. As it is, the word “Nativity” means birth – Jesus’ birth. All the porcelain sets, decorations, and plays depict the historical coming of God the Son as a human baby.
So, what can we know about this event? Were animals present, and did they bow like those little figurines from my family’s Nativity set? Was Christ born in a stable, or was it a cave? Did the wisemen and shepherds see and worship the newborn King on the same night?
The following seven facts from Scripture about the Nativity can help us answer these questions.
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The birth of Christ was not a haphazard event. We might read about the Roman census that required everyone to register in their hometown and assume it was a coincidence that Mary was pregnant during this time. Based on Scripture, though, we know this is not the case. Everything happened exactly according to God’s plan and timing – He knew that the census would happen and that it would require Joseph to return to his hometown of Bethlehem.
Micah had already prophesied about the Messiah’s birth: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2, NIV). The Gospels repeatedly show that Jesus fulfilled this promise. He was born in Bethlehem, the town of David, into the lineage of David and Judah as the promised King (Matthew 2:5-6; Luke 2:4-7).
Not just any ruler, but “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” John explained in his Gospel that Jesus, the Word, became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). God the Son came to earth that day, born in a small and overlooked town. Such a humble beginning, but that is what we should expect from a humble King and Savior (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 11:29).
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In every Nativity scene, you are likely to find the Virgin Mary near the newly born Christ. She might be depicted in a vast array of styles and forms. Yet, she is present, kneeling beside or holding the Son of God.
There is an abundance of biblical support for her inclusion in Nativity scenes. Scripture spoke of a virgin giving birth, which would be a sign to Israel (Isaiah 7:14). So, when Mary conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and gave birth to Jesus, this fulfilled Isaiah’s words (Matthew 1:20-23; Luke 1:31, 35). She was also the one who received the blessing to bear the Messiah – the promised Seed of Woman mentioned in Genesis 3:15.
In addition to being a fulfillment of prophecy, the virgin birth of Christ is integral to a proper view of the Savior. Being miraculously born of a woman means that He did not inherit the sinful nature that all people receive as descendants of Adam since He did not have a natural, earthly father. Jesus is the sinless Son of God and had to be born of a virgin.
For He was no ordinary baby. He is Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23).
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When Joseph traveled to Bethlehem with Mary to register for the census, they could not find a place to stay. The Bible specifically says that Mary was about to give birth, but “there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7, ESV). Since there were no lodging or guest rooms available, she gave birth to Jesus and placed Him in a manger.
Christians debated where this manger or feeding trough was located. Some believe it was the part of a house where the animals were kept or perhaps a barn. Others hold to the view that Christ was born in a cave, which has the support of early Christian writings, as Dr. Thomas Constable noted in his Expository Notes. Regardless of the view, we know that Jesus was born in a lowly place. The King of kings entered our world not in a palace or wealthy home but in the small town of Bethlehem, away from others.
The figurines of animals present at Christ’s nativity, then, represent a likely reality. We do not know if donkeys were bowing or if an ox was kneeling, but Jesus was “wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger [or feeding trough]” (Luke 2:12, NIV). The King had arrived – and one day, every knee will bow to Him and confess Him as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
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At major epochs in history, angels have been present. They shouted for joy when God created the world (Job 38:4, 7). Angels delivered the Law to the people of Israel (see Deuteronomy 33:2; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19). They were sent to Zechariah to tell of John the Baptist’s birth (Luke 1:11-17) and to Joseph and Mary to foretell the coming of Jesus (Matthew 1:20-21; Luke 1:26-38). And God’s heavenly messengers heralded key aspects of Jesus' earthly life – including His birth.
As an angel told the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:10-12, NIV). Then, more angels appeared, giving glory to God and pronouncing peace and goodwill for the people on earth (Luke 2:13-14).
Angels might not have appeared over the stable or cave where Christ was born, as many Nativity sets depict, but they did show themselves to the shepherds, bringing the good news of the coming of the Savior. Their presence testified to God’s work and glory.
That first Christmas would only be the start of their appearances during Jesus’ earthly life. Angels ministered to the Lord after His temptation in the desert, and while He prayed in Gethsemane (Matthew 4:11; Luke 22:43). Heavenly messengers were at the empty tomb to announce the joyous news that Jesus had risen (Matthew 28:5-7). The disciples talked to angels at His ascension (Acts 1:10-11), and we know from the Bible that angels will appear at Jesus’ second coming to collect the elect from across the earth (Mark 13:27).
Christians rightly include angelic depictions in their art during Advent and Christmas since angels heralded Jesus’ coming and will be present at His return.
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Lots of us would expect the announcement of the newborn King to be delivered to royal and religious leaders. Yet, those were not the individuals that God chose to hear the angel’s message. He chose the outcasts of society – simple shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks by night (Luke 2:8).
In doing this, the Lord was identifying Himself with the rejected and despised of the nation. He was not among the rich at His birth but among the poor. Repeatedly throughout the rest of His earthly ministry, Jesus would spend time among the outcasts like tax collectors, sinners, and prostitutes (Matthew 9:10-11; Luke 7:39). As He told the Pharisees and teachers of the law, “I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent” (Luke 5:32, NLT).
Unlike King Herod, who heard about the coming of the Messiah and responded with murderous intentions, the shepherds rejoiced to see the infant Christ. They spread the good news of Jesus’ birth. And when they returned to their homes, they went “glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2:20, NIV).
The promised Son of David had come. Angels declared the news not to prominent politicians or leaders but to humble shepherds.
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The Star of Bethlehem captures the imagination and fascination of many believers, which is likely why there are so many different ideas about this star. Some believe the mysterious shining object was the result of natural causes, which the Magi viewed as they traveled to the place of Jesus’ nativity. One of my professors in college believed the star was a manifestation of the Shekinah glory – the visible presence of God like what the Israelites saw when the Lord dwelt among them in a pillar of cloud and fire (Exodus 13:21-22). Many other theologians and scholars also hold this view.
Although many of these theories are interesting to hear and learn about, Scripture gives no definitive answer as to the exact nature of the Star of Bethlehem. The Bible merely says the Magi followed the star and that it “went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9, NIV; see also Matthew 2:2). These wisemen of the east obviously knew that the celestial object they saw was important and heralded the coming of the King of the Jews.
Whether natural or miraculous, a special star was visible during and after Jesus’ birth. We can admire the addition of the star to paintings and Nativity scenes, remembering that even the heavens declared the coming of the Messiah.
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A Nativity set is not complete without the kneeling wisemen bearing gifts to Christ. Believers regularly include them in the depictions of the day of Jesus’ birth, but the Magi did not likely see him sleeping in a manger.
Scripture records that after Herod heard about Jesus’ birth from the Magi, and discovered He had been born in Bethlehem, the king ordered the massacre of all male children under the age of two (Matthew 2:16). Since Herod calculated the dates based on the Magi’s information, Christ could have been as old as two when they visited.
Regardless of the exact age of Jesus, the Magi worshiped Him when they visited and brought Him gifts. The Bible does not say if there were only three wisemen, but they did bring three presents: Gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11). Each gift prophetically represented an aspect of Jesus’ role as Messiah. Gold to signify His identity as the long-awaited King of Israel. Frankincense symbolized His priestly duties as the perfect High Priest. The last present, myrrh, was commonly used for embalming and represented Jesus’ death.
The King of the Jews had been born. However, the Israelite priests and kings were not the ones who came to bow down and worship the Son of God. Gentile astrologers from the east visited Christ to offer worship. They had seen and recognized that something significant had occurred which led them to set out on a journey to follow a star and gaze upon the Messiah. Such a visit showed that Jesus was the King of the Jews, but also the King and Savior of all.
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