The Christmas story in the Bible (Luke 2)

The best-known account of the first Christmas is in the second chapter of Luke (Luke 2:1–20). Matthew tells the same events from Joseph’s side (Matthew 1:18–25), and the visit of the wise men comes a little later (Matthew 2:1–12). Together these passages give the whole Christmas story of the Bible, told simply and without decoration.

Why Jesus was born in Bethlehem

The story begins far from Bethlehem, with an order from Rome. Caesar Augustus called for a registration of the whole empire, and everyone went to be enrolled in his own town (Luke 2:1–3).

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because (he was of the house and lineage of David: ) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:4–7 · King James Version (1769)

William MacDonald notes that from a human point of view Augustus was showing his power over the world, but from God’s point of view the emperor was only moving God’s plan forward. His decree brought Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem just in time for the Messiah to be born where the prophet Micah had said He would be (Micah 5:2). Joseph had to register there because he was a descendant of David, and Bethlehem was David’s town.

Luke dates the census to the time when Quirinius governed Syria (Luke 2:2), and this verse has long puzzled readers, since Quirinius is known to have governed Syria several years later. John MacArthur points to an inscription that speaks of an official who governed Syria twice under Augustus, which would fit Quirinius, and he argues that a historian as careful as Luke should not be charged with an obvious mistake.

The manger was a feeding trough for animals. The New Geneva Study Bible says we do not know why there was no room: the inn may have been full of travelers who came for the census, or the family may have been turned away. Either way, Jesus was born in poverty. John Wesley adds a sober remark: “there is seldom room for Christ in an inn.”

The angels and the shepherds

That night the first announcement of the birth went not to Jerusalem’s leaders but to shepherds in the nearby fields.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:8–11 · King James Version (1769)

MacArthur explains that the hills around Bethlehem were pasture land where shepherds kept their flocks all year round, so the shepherds’ presence in the fields tells us nothing about the season. Matthew Henry observes that the angels were not sent to the chief priests and elders, who were not ready for the news, but to poor shepherds busy with their ordinary work.

The angel’s message is, in MacDonald’s phrase, theology in miniature. The Child is a Savior, which is what the name Jesus means. He is the Christ, God’s Anointed, the promised Messiah of Israel. And He is the Lord: the New Geneva Study Bible notes that this word stands for God’s own name in the Greek Old Testament.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:12–14 · King James Version (1769)

The sign was strange: a newborn wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding trough. There may have been other babies born in Bethlehem that night, but only one lay in a manger. Then a great company of angels praised God. MacArthur stresses that the peace they announced is not a general promise of peace on earth, but peace with God, given as a gift of grace to those on whom His favor rests.

The shepherds find the Child

The shepherds did not wait. They hurried to Bethlehem, found Mary, Joseph and the Baby, and told everyone what the angel had said about Him (Luke 2:15–18).

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luke 2:19–20 · King James Version (1769)

Mary did not forget any of it. Albert Barnes sees here a mother who treasures everything that is said about her child and turns it over again and again, trying to understand what it means for His future. MacArthur notes how often Luke ends a story the way this one ends, with people praising and glorifying God.

What Matthew adds: Joseph and the virgin birth

Matthew tells what happened before the journey. Mary was betrothed to Joseph, and before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. MacArthur explains that a betrothal was as binding as marriage and could be ended only by divorce. Joseph was a righteous man and did not want to shame her, so he planned to end it quietly (Matthew 1:18–19). Then an angel spoke to him in a dream.

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matt 1:20–21 · King James Version (1769)

The name Jesus means “the Lord saves,” as the New Geneva Study Bible explains. Matthew sees in this birth the fulfillment of Isaiah’s words about a virgin whose son would be called Immanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:22–23). Joseph believed and obeyed: he took Mary as his wife and named the Child Jesus (Matthew 1:24–25).

The Child of Isaiah’s promise

Seven centuries before Bethlehem, Isaiah had already spoken of this birth.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Isa 9:6 · King James Version (1769)

The New Geneva Study Bible notes that the names given to the Child describe both His divine and His human nature. MacArthur explains that He is the Son of David with the right to David’s throne, a King whose wisdom is beyond human wisdom, the mighty God, a Father who cares for His people forever, and the Prince whose reign brings peace.

The Gospels do not give the day or the month of Jesus’ birth. The dates on which Christians celebrate Christmas come from church tradition, not from the text. What the Bible does give is the meaning of the event: the eternal Son of God came into the world as a helpless Child, in a poor place, for ordinary people like the shepherds. The good news the angel brought is still news of great joy. The Savior has been born, and anyone who comes to Him, as the shepherds did, will find the peace with God that He came to give.