Luke's account of the Christmas story in the scriptures is centered around the simple and down - to - earth elements. It starts with the angel Gabriel visiting Mary, a young and ordinary woman. Then it tells of their journey to Bethlehem and the birth in a manger, followed by the shepherds' visit. Matthew, however, begins with a long genealogy to establish Jesus' royal lineage. Then it tells of the Magi coming from afar, guided by a star. Matthew also includes the story of Herod's fear and his attempt to kill the baby Jesus. These differences show different perspectives on the same important event in the scriptures.
Matthew focuses more on the royal and prophetic aspects. For example, it shows Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Luke, in contrast, emphasizes the more human and humble side. He details the experiences of Mary and Joseph more.
One way is to select scriptures that talk about the prophecies of the Messiah's birth, like in Isaiah. Then those about the journey of Mary and Joseph. For example, scriptures that mention the census which led them to Bethlehem. And also the ones that describe the shepherds and the angels' announcement. Each scripture can be a piece of the grand Christmas story puzzle.
One difference is in the emphasis on certain aspects. The LDS scriptures may place more emphasis on the pre - existence of Jesus and His divine mission from the very beginning. In other versions, this aspect might not be as prominent.
The Christmas story is mainly found in the Bible. In Luke, we have details like Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem for a census. When they got there, Jesus was born in a manger. An angel announced the good news to the shepherds, and they came to see the newborn Savior. Matthew also gives important parts of the story, such as the wise men following a star to find Jesus.
They also add depth through prophecy. As mentioned before, the prophecies in Isaiah about the Messiah give a sense of anticipation and fulfillment. The Christmas story is not just about a baby being born; it's the fulfillment of centuries - old prophecies. This makes the event of Jesus' birth even more significant and meaningful, as it was predicted long ago by God's prophets.
Well, the Scriptures of the Christmas Story have a big impact on modern Christmas. The story of Jesus' birth in the manger makes people think about the simplicity and humility of the occasion. So, many Christmas nativity scenes are set up. And the visit of the Magi with their gifts has led to the tradition of gift - giving during Christmas. Families also come together, perhaps inspired by the family unit of Mary, Joseph and Jesus. Churches often base their Christmas services on the events in the scriptures, which helps keep the religious significance alive in a modern, sometimes very commercial, Christmas world.
The Gospel of Luke in the New Testament is a key scripture that tells the Christmas story. It details the events surrounding the birth of Jesus, including the annunciation to Mary, the journey to Bethlehem, and the birth in a manger.
In the scriptures, the Christmas story begins with prophecies about the coming Messiah. Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel who told her she'd bear a son named Jesus. Joseph, her betrothed, was also visited by an angel in a dream. They went to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. Shepherds in the fields were visited by angels who told them of the good news. This story shows God's plan for salvation through the birth of Jesus at Christmas.
Scriptures like Matthew's account of the virgin birth emphasize the divine nature of Jesus. This makes Christmas a celebration of the miracle of God coming to earth as a human. It gives Christmas a spiritual depth that goes beyond the secular aspects. We understand that Jesus was born to bring salvation, so Christmas is also a time to reflect on our own spiritual state and the hope of redemption.
The scriptures about the Christmas story, like Luke 2, help us understand that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus. It was a simple yet miraculous event. We see the significance of the place (Bethlehem) and the people involved (shepherds). It makes us realize that Christmas is more than just a holiday; it's a celebration of a divine event.