A Scriptural Narrative
The next few days I will be doing a multi-part series on the Christmas narrative according to scripture. At the end is a list of passages should you choose to read the scripture in order of this narrative. I hope you enjoy, learn, and worship the Greatest Gift ever given. Blessings.
From the beginning, a promise had been spoken, that the offspring of the woman would crush the serpent’s head. To Abraham it was said that through his seed all the families of the earth would be blessed. To David it was sworn that his throne would be established forever. The prophets spoke of a child to be born, of a son to be given, and of a ruler whose coming forth was from ancient days.
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there lived a priest named Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. They were righteous before God, yet they had no child and were advanced in years. While Zechariah was serving in the temple, an angel of the Lord appeared beside the altar of incense and declared that Elizabeth would bear a son. He would be called John, and he would go before the Lord, a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord and making His paths straight.
Zechariah questioned the word, and he was made unable to speak until the day these things came to pass.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin named Mary, betrothed to Joseph of the house of David. The angel told her she had found favor with God and would conceive and bear a son. His name would be Jesus. He would be great, would reign on the throne of David, and of His kingdom there would be no end.
Long before, it had been spoken that a virgin would conceive, that a ruler would come from Bethlehem, and that the scepter would not depart from Judah.
Mary asked how this could be, since she had known no man. The angel answered that the Spirit of God would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her. The child would be holy, the Son of God. Mary answered that she was the servant of the Lord and submitted herself to His word.
Mary went with haste to the hill country of Judea to visit Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped within her, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. She blessed Mary, and Mary lifted her voice in praise, rejoicing in the God who scatters the proud, lifts the humble, fills the hungry with good things, and remembers His mercy, as He spoke to Abraham and to his offspring forever.
When Elizabeth’s time came, she gave birth to a son. On the eighth day he was named John, and Zechariah’s voice was restored. He praised God and spoke of salvation raised up from the house of David, of light breaking upon those who sat in darkness, and of a child who would prepare the way of the Lord.
Now the birth of Jesus took place in this way.
Mary was found to be with child before she and Joseph came together. Joseph, being righteous and unwilling to shame her, resolved to send her away quietly. But an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and told him not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The child conceived in her was from the Holy Spirit. She would bear a son, and He would save His people from their sins. God would be with them.
Joseph did as the angel commanded.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. Joseph went up from Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the city of David, because he was of the house and lineage of David. From that place, the prophets had said, a ruler would come forth to shepherd Israel.
While they were there, the time came for Mary to give birth. She bore her firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger.
In the same region, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks by night. The Lord had once said He Himself would search for His sheep and tend them. An angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. They were afraid, but the angel told them not to fear. Good news of great joy had come: a Savior had been born in the city of David.
Suddenly the heavens were filled with praise, declaring peace on earth.
The shepherds went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. They made known what they had heard and returned glorifying God. Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart.
When eight days had passed, the child was circumcised and named Jesus, according to the covenant given to Abraham.
When the days of purification were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. There was a man named Simeon who waited for the consolation of Israel. Taking the child in his arms, he blessed God, declaring that his eyes had seen salvation, a light for the nations and glory for Israel. A prophetess named Anna gave thanks and spoke of the child to all who were waiting for redemption.
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, wise men from the east came, having seen a star rise. Long ago it had been spoken that a star would come out of Jacob and that kings would bring gifts. The star led them to the place where the child was. Entering the house, they fell down and worshiped Him, offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Warned in a dream, they returned by another way.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and told him to flee to Egypt, for the child’s life was sought. Long before, God had called His son out of Egypt. Joseph departed by night with the child and His mother.
Herod, in fury, ordered the children of Bethlehem to be destroyed. A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning.
After Herod died, the angel appeared again to Joseph and told him to return. He brought the child back to the land of Israel and settled in Nazareth. A shoot had come up from the stump of Jesse, and the branch would grow.
The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon Him.
Scriptural Sources for This Narrative
(Listed in story order)
Genesis 3:15
Genesis 12:1–3
Genesis 17:10–12
Genesis 49:10
2 Samuel 7:12–16
Numbers 24:17
Psalm 72:10–11
Isaiah 7:14
Isaiah 9:6–7
Isaiah 11:1–2
Isaiah 40:3
Isaiah 49:6
Isaiah 60:1–6
Jeremiah 31:15
Micah 5:2
Malachi 3:1
Malachi 4:5–6
Luke 1:5–25
Luke 1:26–38
Luke 1:39–55
Luke 1:57–80
Matthew 1:18–25
Luke 2:1–20
Luke 2:21–38
Matthew 2:1–12
Matthew 2:13–23
Luke 2:39–40
Troy P Zehnder 