The Nativity, or the birth of Jesus
The Nativity, or the birth of Jesus Christ, is described in the biblical gospels of Matthew and Luke. According to these accounts, Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, which was under Roman control. His mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, a man descended from King David, who was not Jesus’ biological father. Instead, Jesus’ birth was said to be the result of divine intervention.
Many contemporary scholars believe that the Nativity stories in the two gospels are not historically accurate because they contain conflicting details and incompatible genealogies. Additionally, the secular history of that time doesn’t align well with the events described in these narratives. Some argue that the historical accuracy of these stories is secondary, as the gospels were mainly written as theological texts rather than historical records.
The Nativity is the foundation of the Christian holiday of Christmas and plays a central role in the Christian liturgical year. Many Christians display small manger scenes depicting the Nativity inside or outside their homes and attend Nativity plays or Christmas pageants that focus on the Nativity story in the Bible. In many continental European countries, it’s a tradition to create elaborate Nativity displays with life-sized statues during the Christmas season.
Artists have been depicting the Nativity since the 4th century. Since the 13th century, artistic representations of the Nativity have emphasized Jesus’ humility and presented a gentler image of him, a significant change from the earlier “Lord and Master” portrayal. This shift mirrors the changes in the approach of Christian pastoral ministry during the same period.
