Mary, Joseph and the visitors
Only Matthew and Luke give accounts of the happenings surrounding Jesus' birth. Matthew 1–2 gives particular attention to Joseph and the magi from the East; Luke 1–2 includes Mary's experience and the shepherds' visit. Christians understand the birth as the incarnation: God becoming human and living among his creation. [1]
Luke begins Mary's story with Gabriel's announcement in Nazareth. Mary was a virgin pledged to marry Joseph, a descendant of David. Gabriel told her that she would bear a son named Jesus, who would receive David's throne and reign over Jacob's descendants forever. When Mary asked how she could conceive, Gabriel answered that the Holy Spirit would come upon her and that the child would be called the Son of God. Mary accepted the announcement as the Lord's servant (Luke 1:26–38). [2]
Matthew describes Joseph's response to Mary's pregnancy. He planned to end their engagement quietly because he did not want to expose her to shame. An angel appeared in a dream and told him to take Mary as his wife: her child was conceived through the Holy Spirit. Joseph was to name him Jesus because he would save his people from their sins. Joseph then married Mary as instructed (Matthew 1:18–24). [3]
Luke places the birth during a registration ordered by Caesar Augustus. Joseph traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register, accompanied by Mary. While they were there, she gave birth, wrapped Jesus in cloths and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the lodging place (Luke 2:1–7). The registration explains the journey that brought them to Bethlehem. [2]
The announcement then reaches shepherds watching their flocks in the fields. An angel tells them of the birth, and a heavenly multitude praises God. The shepherds go to Bethlehem, find Mary, Joseph and the baby lying in the manger, and tell others what they have heard. Mary treasures these things, while the shepherds return praising God (Luke 2:8–20).
Matthew records a different visit: magi from the East come to worship the child born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1–12). Matthew also recounts the family's flight to Egypt to escape Herod, while Luke records their temple observances in Jerusalem. Both accounts place Jesus' birth in Bethlehem and describe the family's eventual home in Nazareth (Matthew 2:1, 23; Luke 2:4–7, 39). GotQuestions argues that the accounts can be reconciled; the specific difference it discusses is Luke's return from the temple observances and Matthew's return from Egypt (Luke 2:22–39; Matthew 2:13–23). [1]
