By Nicholas Akasula
The birth of Jesus Christ remains one of the most celebrated moments in the Christian faith. More than two millennia later, the story of His coming, set in Bethlehem around 6–4 BC, continues to inspire worship, art, literature, and music across the world. Each retelling reminds believers of the extraordinary way God entered human history.
Angel Gabriel visits Mary
Luke 1:26–35 recounts Gabriel’s message: Mary had found favour with God and would conceive a child named Jesus. He would be great, the Son of the Most High, and He would sit on the throne of David forever. Although Mary questioned how this could happen, the angel assured her that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and that the child born would be holy. This divine encounter marked the beginning of God’s salvation plan unfolding on earth.
Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem
As Mary neared the time of her delivery, the couple travelled to Bethlehem to register for a census, as required by Roman authority. The journey was long and difficult, especially for an expectant mother. When they arrived, the town was overcrowded, and no lodging was available. They found shelter in a stable, and it was there, in the simplest of surroundings, that Jesus Christ was born and placed in a manger.
The shepherds and angels
In the fields nearby, shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks. Suddenly, an angel appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. Although terrified at first, the shepherds were comforted with a message of joy: the Saviour, the Messiah, had been born in Bethlehem.
A heavenly host soon joined the angel, praising God and proclaiming peace on earth. The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem, where they found Mary, Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger, just as they had been told. Overflowing with awe, they spread the news of what they had seen, and many were amazed at their testimony. Meanwhile, Mary treasured these moments in her heart.
It is often noted that these were no ordinary shepherds. Many believe they were Levite shepherds responsible for caring for the temple flocks—lambs meant for sacrifice. Fittingly, they were among the first to witness the birth of the Lamb of God.
Visitors arrive from the East
Matthew 2:1–12 describes the arrival of wise men from the East who had seen a unique star signalling the birth of the King of the Jews. Their journey brought them first to Jerusalem, where King Herod, troubled by the news, consulted religious leaders who confirmed that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
Herod secretly instructed the wise men to return and report the child’s whereabouts, pretending that he too wished to worship Him. Guided again by the star, the wise men found the house where Jesus was and were filled with great joy. They bowed in worship and offered gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, symbolic treasures honouring the newborn King.
These visitors arrived long after the night of Jesus’ birth, possibly up to two years later, when Mary and Joseph were living in a house in Bethlehem. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they travelled home by another route.
Herod’s Plot Against Jesus
When Herod realised the wise men had not returned, he was enraged. Determined to eliminate any threat to his throne, he ordered the killing of all boys aged two and under in Bethlehem and its surrounding areas. This tragic event, known as the Massacre of the Innocents, fulfilled prophetic warnings and stands as one of the darkest moments surrounding the nativity story.
The flight into Egypt
Before Herod’s soldiers arrived, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to take Mary and the child and flee to Egypt. Joseph obeyed immediately, travelling under the cover of night to protect the young Jesus. The family remained in Egypt until Herod’s death, fulfilling the prophecy, “I called my Son out of Egypt” (Matthew 2:15, Hosea 11:1).
The events surrounding the birth of Jesus remind us that God often works through humble places, ordinary people, and unexpected circumstances to fulfil His purposes. From a quiet manger in Bethlehem to the journeys of shepherds and wise men, every moment points to God’s love reaching into our world. As we reflect on this story today, we are invited not only to celebrate a historical event, but also to embrace the message of hope, peace, and salvation that the birth of Christ continues to offer to all humanity.
