For other uses, see Nativity of Jesus (disambiguation) and Nativity (disambiguation).
Adoration of the Shepherds by Dutch painter Matthias Stomer, 1632
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The nativity of Jesus, nativity of Christ, birth of Jesus or birth of Christ is documented in the biblical gospels of Luke and Matthew. The two accounts agree that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Judaea, that his mother, Mary, was engaged to a man named Joseph, who was descended from King David and was not his biological father, and that his birth was caused by divine intervention. Some scholars do not see the two canonical gospel nativity stories as historically factual[1][2] since they present clashing accounts and irreconcilable genealogies. The secular history of the time does not synchronize with the narratives of the birth and early childhood of Jesus in the two gospels.[3][4][5] Some view the question of historicity as secondary, given that gospels were primarily written as theological documents rather than chronological timelines.
The nativity is the basis for the Christian holiday of Christmas and plays a major role in the Christian liturgical year. Many Christians traditionally display small manger scenes depicting the nativity within or outside of their homes, or attend nativity plays or Christmas pageants focusing on the nativity cycle in the Bible. Elaborate nativity displays featuring life-sized statues are a tradition in many continental European countries during the Christmas season.
The artistic depiction of the nativity has been an important subject for Christian artists since the 4th century. Artistic depictions of the nativity scene since the 13th century have emphasized the humility of Jesus and promoted a more tender image of him, a major change from the early "Lord and Master" image, mirroring changes in the common approaches taken by Christian pastoral ministry during the same era.
^Cite error: The named reference Sanders birth was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Marcus Borg, 'The Meaning of the Birth Stories' in Marcus Borg, N T Wright, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions (Harper One, 1999) page 179: "I (and most mainline scholars) do not see these stories as historically factual."
^Crossan, John Dominic; Watts, Richard J. (October 1999). Who Is Jesus?: Answers to Your Questions About the Historical Jesus. Louisville, Ky.: Westminster John Knox Press. pp. 11–12. ISBN 978-0-664-25842-9.
^Cite error: The named reference Vermes 64 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
^Encyclopedia of theology: a concise Sacramentum mundi by Karl Rahner 2004 ISBN 0-86012-006-6 p. 731
The nativityofJesus, nativityof Christ, birth ofJesus or birth of Christ is documented in the biblical gospels of Luke and Matthew. The two accounts...
The NativityofJesus has been a major subject of Christian art since the 4th century. The artistic depictions of the Nativity or birth ofJesus, celebrated...
solstice. The nativity accounts in the New Testament gospels of Matthew and Luke do not mention a date or time of year for the birth ofJesus. Karl Rahner...
season, of art objects representing the birth ofJesus. While the term "nativity scene" may be used of any representation of the very common subject of the...
The Church of the Nativity, or Basilica of the Nativity, is a basilica located in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine. The grotto holds a prominent religious...
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from his nativity until age 12. The four canonical gospels, accepted by most Christians today, lack any narration of the years between Jesus' infancy...
Baby Jesus theft is the theft of figurines of the infant Jesus from outdoor public and private nativity displays during the Christmas season. It is an...
Christmas narrative recounted in the New Testament, known as the NativityofJesus, says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies...
described Jesus' nativity include drama (including television and films) and music (including opera). Featured characters usually include Jesus, Mary, and...
A Nativity play or Christmas pageant is a play which recounts the story of the NativityofJesus. It is usually performed at Christmas, the feast of the...
The Nativity Story is a 2006 American biblical drama film based on the nativityofJesus and directed by Catherine Hardwicke. The film stars Keisha Castle-Hughes...
the NativityofJesus on December 25. Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches commence the season on November 24 and end the season on the day of Ethiopian...
Church of the Nativity, revered as the location of the NativityofJesus. The earliest-known mention of Bethlehem is in the Amarna correspondence of ancient...
life of Jesus given in the canonical gospels. Both of the gospels which describe the nativityofJesus agree that he was born in Bethlehem and then later...
of Jesus Annunciation NativityofJesus Circumcision ofJesus Christ child Baptism ofJesus Temptation of Christ Ministry ofJesus Commissioning the twelve...
after Nativity) "Saint Joseph, patriarch of Israel and father ofJesus". Archived from the original on 3 May 2006. "The Life of St. Joseph, Spouse of the...
The circumcision ofJesus is an event from the life ofJesus, according to the Gospel of Luke chapter 2, which states: And when eight days were fulfilled...
Circumcision of the Lord and the Octave of the Nativity", is now the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and the Octave Day of the Nativityof the Lord. In...
Adoration of the Magi or Adoration of the Kings or Visitation of the Wise Men is the name traditionally given to the subject in the NativityofJesus in art...
the Virgin, and the Meeting of the Lord. The date of Candlemas is established by the date set for the NativityofJesus, for it comes forty days afterwards...
manger holding the other Jesus are cut off at the bottom of the neck. The "massive, reclining figure of the Virgin" in the Nativity dominates the scene, while...
The life ofJesus is primarily outlined in the four canonical gospels, which includes his genealogy and nativity, public ministry, passion, prophecy,...
episodes: his nativity at the beginning and the sending of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) at the end. The gospel accounts of the teachings ofJesus are often...
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