Christmas Stories

There are a number of Christmas stories that we've heard and read about right from our childhood. These are the events associated with Christmas; some of them took place just before and just after the birth of Jesus.

Let's have a recap of these Christmas stories.

The Annunciation

Angel Gabriel, sent by God, visited Mary in the town of Nazareth in Galilee. The angel told Mary, who had been engaged to be married to Joseph, that she had been chosen to be the mother of the Son of God. Mary said: "I am the Lord's servant. May it happen to me as you have said."

The Visitation

Mary went to Judah from Galilee, to help her cousin Elizabeth who was pregnant. As Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth's baby (John the Baptist) moved in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Nativity

In response to Augustus Caesar's decree, Joseph and Mary travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem to register for the census. Bethlehem was very far from Nazareth, and by the time they reached Bethlehem, it was time for Mary to deliver her son, but they could not find any place to stay. Finally, Joseph found a place used by shepherds, and there Mary gave birth to baby Jesus. She wrapped the baby in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in the manger.

The Adoration of the Shepherds

An angel of God announced the news of Jesus' birth to shepherds out on the field. A group of angels sang: "Glory to God in the highest in heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased." (Lk 2:14) The shepherds found Mary and Joseph, and saw the baby lying in the manger.

The Presentation in the Temple

Joseph and Mary took Jesus to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, as written in the law of the Lord. (Lk 2:22) A man named Simeon, who had been waiting for the saviour, met the child Jesus when he was taken into the Temple, took the child in his arms, and gave thanks to God.

The Visit of the Magi

After the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem saying, "Where is the baby born to be the king of the Jews? We saw his star when it came up in the east, and we have come to worship him." When Herod came to know of this, he became very upset. As the wise men continued their journey, the same star they had seen in the East went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. They went into the house, knelt down and worshipped child Jesus. They brought out their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and presented them to the child.

The Escape to Egypt

When Herod realized that the wise men from the East left without meeting him, he became very angry and gave orders to kill all boys, aged two years and younger, in and around Bethlehem. Before this, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph and asked him to escape to Egypt. Joseph took the child and his mother, and left for Egypt during the night.

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