Infancy Narratives

"Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about..." (Mt 1:18)

Scripture actually provides us with two perspectives on Jesus’ birth, the Gospels of Matthew (1–2:23) and Luke (1:5–2:52). They help shape the concept of Jesus as God and man. They particularly ground us in Jesus’ humanity. Their different perspectives offer a fuller picture of Jesus’ birth.

Matthew focuses on the star that leads the Magi to the child Jesus and connects the story to Herod’s fear and resulting intolerance including the flight into Egypt. For Matthew, Joseph has a leading role.

Luke takes us from Nazareth to Bethlehem in response to a census registration requirement. Luke provides us with an inn and shepherds. Mary has the leading role.

The uniqueness of each genealogy continues the different perspectives. Matthew places his genealogy prior to the birth of Jesus. It traces ancestry back to Abraham, thus emphasizing the bonds with Israel. In Luke, the genealogy appears just prior to Jesus’ adult ministry. It traces ancestry all the way to Adam emphasizing the universality of Jesus’ mission. In fact, Adam is even identified by Luke as a son of God. This verifies Jesus’ divine kinship.

The techniques used by each evangelist exist to help us recognize that the promised Messiah has come. The manner of birth, or any ‘historicity’ connected with it is not the message. The message is that Jesus, the Christ, came to live among us and to be like us in all things except sin. These humble beginnings reveal a Savior accessible to all.

		FOCUS:		Star		Census
		RESULT:		Herod		Inn
		ORDER OF TRAVEL:		Bethlehem–Egypt– Nazareth		Nazareth–Bethlehem– Nazareth
		ANGELS APPEAR:		only to Joseph		only to Mary
		1ST TO WORSHIP JESUS:		Magi—kingly, pagans		Shepherds—the uncouth