5. The Birth of the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth

Dr. Doug Bookman

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7Luke 2:1-7Luke 2:1-7

Luke 2:1-7Notes: Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem; the nativity of the God-Man

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Notes: The naming of the child

Scripture: Luke 2:8-20

Notes: The worship of the shepherds

Scripture: Luke 2:21

Notes: The circumcision of Jesus

Scripture: Luke 2:22-39

Notes: Presentation of the Child in the temple; homage paid by Anna and Simeon

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Notes: The visit of the magi (wise-men)

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Notes: The family's flight to Egypt; the children of Bethlehem slaughtered; the family returns to settle in Nazareth


  1. Notice that the trip to Bethlehem was necessary because of a taxation decree; Joseph probably had discovered that life was intolerable in Nazareth (by reason of Mary's "scandalous" pregnancy). Because he had to travel to Bethlehem anyway (by reason of the decree), he decided to relocate to Bethlehem. But in all of this, the prophecy of Micah 5:2 came to pass precisely.
  2. In Jewish culture, the means by which a man legally adopted as his son one who was not physically his son was that the man assigned the child his name. Thus, the significance of the naming of Jesus by Joseph (Matthew 1:18-25).

Adapted from the Life of Christ study notes of Dr. Doug Bookman, professor of New Testament Exposition at Shepherds Theological Seminary (used by permission).

Previous: The Birth of John the Baptist

Next: The Genealogies of Jesus Christ

Originally published June 16, 2010.

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