Nativity

The Nativity refers to the birth of Jesus.

Related Topics:
Birth - Jesus

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According to the Bible, Jesus was born in the city of Bethlehem in a stable, surrounded by farm animals and shepherds. The baby Jesus was born into a manger from the Virgin Mary assisted by her husband Joseph. The odd location of the birth was the result of Joseph and Mary being forced by order of King Herod to leave their homes in Nazareth and come to the home of Josephs ancestors, the house of David, for a census. The whole city was full of people who had made the pilgrimage to city of David and as a result there was no room for the expecting couple at the town's inn. Although the event is usually depicted as taking place in a man made free standing structure, most biblical scholars believe that the stable was probably a cave carved in the side of a hill.

Related Topics:
Bible - Bethlehem - Stable - Farm - Animal - Shepherd - Manger - Virgin Mary - Joseph - King Herod - Nazareth - David - Census - Inn

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There is also a traditional depiction of Three wise men from Persia visiting the event, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible actually records the coming of an unspecified number of wise men as being a few years after Jesus' birth. The men were also said to be following a mysterious star, commonly known as the Star of Bethlehem, that had suddenly appeared in the sky, believing it to be to be the fulfillment of an ancient Jewish prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, or king of the Jews. The star's zenith was apparently directly over the city of Bethlehem, and it disappeared soon after they visited the child.

Related Topics:
Three wise men - Persia - Event - Gold - Frankincense - Myrrh - Star of Bethlehem - Messiah

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Remembering or re-creating the Nativity is one of the central ways that Christians celebrate Christmas. In Christian churches, children often perform plays re-creating the events of the Nativity, or sing some of the numerous Christmas carols that reference the event. Many Christians also display a small re-creation of the Nativity known as a Nativity scene in their homes, using small figurines to portray the key characters of the event.

Related Topics:
Christian - Christmas - Church - Child - Play - Sing - Christmas carol - Nativity scene - Figurine

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Though Jesus's birth is celebrated on December 25, most scholars agree that it is unlikely he was actually born on this date.

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