The First Christmas: The Story of Jesus’ Birth in History and Tradition
Interested in the Christmas story and what it meant to the earliest Christians?
In this free eBook, expert Bible scholars and archaeologists offer glimpses of the first Christmas as recounted and understood by those who first told the beloved story.
Discover what Bible experts have to say about the Gospel stories of Jesus’ birth, the history of Christmas, the three wise men, the adoration of the magi, the star of Bethlehem, the date of Jesus’ birth, shepherds and angels at the nativity, the location of Jesus’ birth, the magi in art and literature and early Christian Christmas traditions.
The time-honored traditions of Christmas are dear to the hearts of Christians today. The story of the first Christmas recaptures the imagination as it is retold year after year in Bible readings, carols, Christmas pageants, live manger scenes and crèche displays, to name a few. Perhaps in the midst of all this, we might wonder what the story of Jesus’ birth meant to the earliest Christians. How did their story differ from the one we tell today, and what significance did they give to each member of the cast of characters?
Chapter 1
Witnessing the Divine: The Magi in Art and Literature
Early and modern-day Christians alike have been captivated in particular by the three magi in the Christmas story. Author Robin Jensen tells us that early Christian art contains more representations of the adoration of the magi than of the infant Jesus in the manger. What key theological message did the early Christians see in the story of the magi? Jensen uncovers the answer by tracing the magi’s numerous appearances in art and literature from the period in “Witnessing the Divine: The Magi in Art and Literature.”
Chapter 2
The Magi and the Star: Babylonian Astronomy Dates Jesus’ Birth
Perhaps the most mystifying part of the magi’s journey is the star that guides them. Scholars and astronomers have tried for some time to identify a celestial event that corresponds with the magi’s guiding star, in part because it would also pinpoint the date of Jesus’ birth. Where modern science fails to explain the mysterious star, Babylonian astronomy gives better clues in “The Magi and the Star: Babylonian Astronomy Dates Jesus’ Birth” by Simo Parpola.
Chapter 3
What Was the Star that Guided the Magi?
Author Dale C. Allison, Jr. does not look to astronomy for an explanation of the magi’s star, though he does look heavenward. In “What Was the Star that Guided the Magi,” he suggests that another sort of celestial entity was the bright light that guided the magi’s journey to pay homage to the infant Jesus.
Chapter 4
Where Was Jesus Born? O Little Town of ... Nazareth?
The star, tradition tells us, led the magi to the tiny Judean town of Bethlehem. However, many scholars of the New Testament have come to the conclusion that Jesus was born in Nazareth, not Bethlehem. Steve Mason’s “O Little Town of … Nazareth?” explores the the passages in the Biblical text that suggest Nazareth was Jesus’ birthplace.
Chapter 5
Where Was Jesus Born? Bethlehem ... Of Course
Despite the belief held by some researchers that Jesus was born in Nazareth, other prominent New Testament scholars remain convinced that the first Christmas took place in Bethlehem. Jerome Murphy O’Connor supports the Bethlehem tradition using archaeology, the gospels and other ancient texts in “Bethlehem … Of Course.”
Recent Blog Posts
The Nun of the Rings
Deborah in the Bible
Want more Bible history?
Sign up to receive our email newsletter and never miss an update.
Unlock Unlimited Access to the Bible's Past
Unlock Unlimited Access to the Bible's Past
Become an All-Access Member to explore the Bible's rich history. Get Biblical Archaeology Review in print, full online access, and FREE online talks. Plus, enjoy special Travel/Study discounts. Don't miss out—begin your journey today!
Yeah… Except he wasn’t born during the pagan festival of Christmas. Not even in the same month. I’m not certain if its touched in this book, but this title slams the validity of this book for me.
Jesus was born on an Appointed Time, one of the Feasts of the LORD. Christ was never a part of Christmas until men’s traditions forced Him there. Celebrate The LORD’s Holy Days which completely revolve around The Messiah in the Old Testament, New Testament and when Jesus returns. What a glorious time that will be!
Nowhere in The Bible does it say there were three wise men. Men’s traditions, why do people cling to them over what God commands?
thank you! , my uncle Romy and Auntie Georgie Solina are astrologers who also mentioned about charting Jesus’ birthdate approximates it around august .. now am excited in receiving my free ebook ..
Jesus didn’t for celebration. He came that we might be saved from our sin. The only way we can celebrate CHRIST is to live the life of CHRIST. ( Mathew 1vs21; Romans 13 vs 11-13). Other things are just human imagination. People has forsaken Christ command to “preach the gospel to every creature and are following after traditions of men.
We cannot remember the death of someone without remembering his birth! if we accept Jesus was crucified because of our sin, we must accept also his birth.the very important thing his born!
R.E.Brown, The Birth of the Messiah, 1977 is a classic one;what’s new?
Christmas celebration is neither a sin nor men’s imagination, but is a medium of thanks giving and for us to remember our saviour who died for us to be save and draw us closer to our heavenly father.
……….Jesus himself said that Christians should observe his death…….please show me from the Bible where it says that we should celebrate his birth????
Christmas is a medium of showing the love of christ, It is also a time of giving.
Sorry to disappoint you Irene……….christmas is not worshipping Jesus Christ………it is a pagan festival and you are worshipping the sun………not only the Bible, but, any reputable encyclopaedia will tell you that.
Everything important that happened in the Bible, happened on a Jewish feast day. Yeshua(Jesus) was born on the Jewish Feast day, The Feast of Tabernacles(Sukkot). Yeshua lived out the Jewish feasts in his lifetime! Read what Feast Of Tabernacle is all about and compare Yeshuas name as mentioned in the book Of Matthew 1:23 – EMMANUEL(GOD WITH US). December 25 was set up by the catholic church to accommadate the pagens to worship their pagen god Mytheia, and for the catholics to do it together.