Birth of Jesus As Told In Matthew and Luke

1. Church of the Nativity In BethlehemDoor to church known as Door of Humility. Crusaders reduced the size of entrance to prevent attackers from riding in. Original door was much larger

2. Birth of Jesus As Told In Matthew and Luke • Matthew 1:18-25 18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. 20 But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23 "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." 24 When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, 25 but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus. • Luke 2:1-7 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

3. Bible study • Where were Mary and Joseph living before Jesus birth? • Where was Jesus born (in a barn, stable, manger, house, cave)? • Imagine you were Mary, in Luke’s story, how would you have responded to Joseph saying you needed to travel to Bethlehem at that time? • What is the significance of Jesus (God’s Son) being born as an infant, of a human mother?

4. Compare and Contrast Where were Mary and Joseph living before Jesus birth? • According to Matthew they lived in Bethlehem, they move to Nazareth • after the had fled to Egypt • According to Luke they lived in Nazareth and then traveled to • Bethlehem for the census Where was Jesus born? • According to Matthew Jesus was born in Mary and Joseph’s house • According to Luke Jesus was born in manger, because there was • no room in the inn

5. Line with red limestone pillars, the present Basilica of the Nativity is similar to the original 4th and 6th century churches built on this sight

6. Monks offering prayers

7. Monk, Priest or Santa Claus? Offering prayers

8. Below the main altar is Grotto of the Nativity Where it is believed that Jesus was born

9. In 1847 the star was stolen, each of the three Christian communities in residents (Greek Orthodox, Armenians and Catholics who have bitterly fought for custodianship of grotto) blaming the other. 14 point star that marks location Jesus was born

10. A copy was subsequently supplied to replace it, but the fights didn’t end and administrative domination of the church changed hands repeatedly between the Orthodox and Catholics. To this day, management of the church is divvied up meter by meter between the three churches. On December 26, 2011 fists fight broke out amongst the monks who was responsible to clean up various areas after Christmas services there.

11. Signs of this dispute show in the grotto lanterns for example:six belong to the Greek- Orthodox, five to the Armenians and four to the Catholics

12. Chapel of the Crib Where Manger lay