Birth of Jesus

The birth of Jesus stands at the center of God’s redemptive plan for the world. Promised through prophecy and fulfilled in history, Jesus entered the world through a virgin birth, born humbly yet divinely appointed. His arrival was not accidental or symbolic. It was God stepping into human history at the appointed time to bring salvation, light, and hope. From the angel’s announcement to Mary, to the shepherds’ worship, to the wise men’s journey, Scripture presents the birth of Christ as God’s deliberate gift to a waiting world.

Key Scriptures

Prophecies Pointing to His Coming

Isaiah 7:14 — A virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son called Immanuel.

Micah 5:2 — The Messiah will come from Bethlehem.

Isaiah 9:6–7 — A Child is born; He will reign with justice and peace.

Historical Clues From the Gospels

Luke 2:1–7 — Jesus’ birth occurs during Caesar Augustus’s census.

Luke 2:8–12 — Shepherds are in the fields at night when Jesus is born.

Matthew 2:1–2 — Jesus is born during the reign of Herod the Great.

Divine Timing

Galatians 4:4 — “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son.”

Luke 2:1–5 — God uses earthly events to fulfill His divine plan.

Micah 5:2 — The Messiah will come from Bethlehem.

The Virgin Birth

Isaiah 7:14 — A virgin will conceive and give birth to a Son, and He will be called Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18–23 — Jesus is conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.

Luke 1:26–35 — The angel announces to Mary that she will bear the Son of God.

The Wise Men

Matthew 2:1–12 — Wise men from the East follow the star, worship Jesus, and present gifts.

Psalm 72:10–11 — Kings will bring gifts and bow before the Messiah.

Isaiah 60:3 — Nations will come to the light of the Lord.

Timeline of Events

Ca. 6–4 BC — Likely window of Jesus’ birth based on Herod the Great’s final years.
Luke 1 — Announcement to Zechariah; John the Baptist conceived.
Luke 1 — Announcement to Mary (six months after Elizabeth conceives).
Luke 2 — Roman census under Quirinius during his administrative oversight of Syria.
Luke 2 — Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem.
Luke 2 — Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
Luke 2 — Angels announce the news to nearby shepherds.
Matthew 2 — The magi arrive sometime later (weeks to months, not the same night).
Matthew 2 — Herod orders the slaughter of the infants; the family flees to Egypt.
Ca. 4 BC — Herod dies; the family later returns to Nazareth.