Mary, Joseph and the visitors
Only Matthew and Luke give accounts of the events surrounding Jesus' birth. Both place his birth in Bethlehem, while their narratives include different people and episodes. Christians understand the birth as the incarnation: God becoming human and living among his creation. The Gospel narratives describe the pregnancy, the circumstances of the birth and the responses of those who heard about the child. [1]
Luke begins Mary's story before the birth. Gabriel visits her in Nazareth while she is a virgin pledged to marry Joseph, a descendant of David. He announces that she will bear a son named Jesus, who will receive David's throne and reign over Jacob's descendants forever. When Mary asks how this can happen, Gabriel answers that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and that the child will be called the Son of God. Mary accepts the announcement as the Lord's servant (Luke 1:26–38). [2]
Matthew describes Joseph's response to Mary's pregnancy. He intends to end their relationship quietly because he does not want to expose her to shame. An angel then appears to him in a dream, telling him to take Mary as his wife because her child is conceived through the Holy Spirit. Joseph is to name the child Jesus because he will save his people from their sins. Joseph obeys and takes Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:18–25). [3]
Luke connects the journey to Bethlehem with a census ordered by Caesar Augustus. Joseph travels from Nazareth to register in Bethlehem because he belongs to David's family, and Mary accompanies him. While they are there, she gives birth, wraps the baby in cloths and lays him in a manger because there is no room available for them (Luke 2:1–7). Luke records registration as the reason for the journey; he does not describe Joseph making a tax payment. [2]
The announcement then reaches shepherds watching their flocks at night. An angel tells them that a Savior, the Messiah and Lord, has been born in David's town, and identifies the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger as their sign. A heavenly multitude praises God. The shepherds go to Bethlehem, find Mary, Joseph and the baby, and tell others what they have heard. Mary treasures these things, while the shepherds return praising God (Luke 2:8–20).
Matthew's visitors are magi from the East who come to worship the child born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1–12). Their visit belongs to Matthew's account, whereas the shepherds' visit belongs to Luke's (Luke 2:8–20). Matthew also records the family's flight to Egypt and subsequent return to Nazareth (Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23); Luke records the temple observances before describing their return to Nazareth (Luke 2:22–39). These differing selections should remain visible when reading the accounts, rather than placing all the visitors together at the manger. [1]
