Nativity

Christian Resources

Nativity Of Jesus

Free online resources based on the Biblical Nativity story. This story can be found in the Bible in the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. See below for links to sermons, songs, stories and entertaining sites for the Nativity story.

Nativity For Kids: Bible Stories - Children's Stories - Children's Activities - Children's Sermons - Music, Plays & Poetry - More Nativity Resources

Nativity For Teens & Adults: Devotions & Sermons - Educational Links - Potluck - Neat Nativity Related Sites

Updated 9/11/09

"That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. 'Don't be afraid!' he said. 'I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!' " -- Luke 2:8-12 NLT

Background - Nativity

When you think about the Nativity of Jesus, you probably picture the classic Nativity scene with a stable, Mary, Joseph, wise men, shepherds and animals all admiring Jesus in a manger. This is the way most Nativity sets, or crèches have been designed for decades.

Nativity refers to all the events that surround the birth of Jesus. The accounts can be found in both the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke. Luke's account provides more detail on the actual birth, while Matthew fills in the gaps. From Luke we get the background story of the angel visiting Mary, the trip to Bethlehem, the birth, the angels celebrating his birth and the adoration of the shepherds. Matthew records the details of the visit by the wise men that took place a short time later.

The birth of Jesus has been celebrated in artwork for centuries. Nativity plays were an early way of communicating the story for those that could not read the Nativity story in the Bible. Various cultures have added their own unique perspective through Nativity sets which have been created around the world.

The Nativity story is the reason we celebrate Christmas. While it is fun acting in a Nativity play, or a live Nativity scene in front of your church, don't forget the real reason we celebrate Christmas. As the angels explained to the shepherds, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."

The Nativity of Jesus is celebrated on Friday, December 25th in 2009. The other important events of the Christmas season include:

    Advent - (11/29-12/24) Preparation for Christ's arrival.
    Christmas Eve - (12/24) The Night Before Christmas.
    Christmas Day - (12/25) Celebration of the Nativity.
    The Twelve Days of Christmas - (12/25-1/5) Twelve days starting Christmas night until the day before Epiphany.

Epiphany - (1/6) Also known as Three Kings' Day celebrates the visit of the Magi.

Read the entire Nativity story in five popular Bible translations - AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:

Birth of Jesus

Matthew 1 - Genealogy and birth of Jesus .

Matthew 2 - Visit of the Magi and escape to Egypt.

Luke 1 - The birth of John and the conception of Jesus.

Luke 2 - The birth of Jesus, shepherds visit and early years.

Read the Old Testament prophecies related to the Nativity and the birth of Jesus in five popular translations - AMP, KJV, HCSB, NIV, The Message:

Genesis 3:15; 49:10 Deuteronomy 18:15-19 - General prophecies of the coming Messiah.

Genesis 9:26; 12:3; 17:21; 28:14; 49:8 Isaiah 11:1 Jeremiah 23:5 - Genealogical prophecies of Jesus' birth..

Isaiah 7;14 - Virgin birth foretold named Immanuel (God with us).

Micah 5:2 - Bethlehem would be the birthplace.

Psalm 72:10-11 - Kings will present him gifts.

Jeremiah 31:15 - The massacre of Bethlehem's children.

Hosea 11:1 - The escape to Egypt.

Check out all the wonderful Christian content linked below and learn more about Nativity.

-- Nativity Resources --

Bible Stories - Scriptures and Adaptations on the Nativity Story
Nativity Bible Story - Luke 2:1-38, Matthew 2:1-23 from the KJV

The Real Story - The Nativity story from the Good News Bible in text and in a flash movie.
For Flash version click here: http://www.therealstory.org.uk

The Nativity Story - An illustrated version of the Nativity story for children.

The Nativity Kit - Online resources to tell the Nativity story to little ones.

The Birth Of Christ - The Birth of Christ from Luke

Mary, Gabriel & the Birth Of Jesus - This story is based on the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary of the birth of God's son, Jesus. Mary, a simple virgin from Nazareth, had enough faith to trust God's Word and be the mother to the world's Savior.

Mary Gives Birth to Jesus - A story of the Nativity based on Luke 1:26-2:20.

The Birth Of Jesus - Pictorial Explanation of the Birth of Jesus or the Christmas story from the Bible, with helpful comments

God Becomes Man - Illustrated story of the Nativity from the Bible

Children's Stories - Original Fiction Based on the Nativity Story
Heli, The Star Of Bethlehem - A little star's faith in God is rewarded when she is selected to be the Christmas star and announce Jesus' birth.

Spinaker - Tells the story of the tree that was made into the manger. Adapted from "A Tale of Three Trees".

Kirsi, The Little Lost Lamb - The story of a lamb's determined search to find baby Jesus. Includes links to a Bible lesson and poem based on the story.

Mette's Christmas Miracle - A little sparrow has the faith to save her small flock during a terrible Norwegian winter.

The Best Christmas Gift - Boris, a little black cat, learns the true meaning of Christmas. One in a series of online Boris Kitty Stories.

The Rose Of Jericho - A story about the Mary and Joseph's flight to Egypt with Baby Jesus.

The Three Camels - A story about the camels that carried the Magi to see Jesus. Includes links to a Bible lesson based on the story.

Children's Activities, Crafts & Coloring Pages for the Nativity
Nativity Scene - An online activity that allows little ones to arrange sheep, camels, star, angel, mary to make a Christmas Nativity scene.

Christmas Nativity Scene - Nativity scene templates to use for felt, coloring pages or other Christmas crafts.

Nativity Craft - Preschool Printable Lesson Plan Activities and crafts

Virgin Mary - Preschool Printable Lesson Plan Activities and crafts

Nativity Coloring Pages - Several pages allow children to color their favorite nativity scene.

The Nativity - Crossword puzzles, wallpaper, memory verse activities all on the Nativity story

Nativity Paper Dolls - Printable wise men, angels and baby Jesus for Nativity crafts.

Birth of Jesus - Color a Nativity scene online.

Nativity Scene - Free printable Christmas Nativity children's school & church craft project

Christmas Coloring Pages - Several online and printable coloring pages including Mary, angels, animals, the Nativity, and the Wise Men (Scroll down to see Christmas pages)

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Search Google For More Nativity Resources.

Suggested Search Terms: Advent, Christian Stories for Christmas, Birth of Jesus, Children's Christmas Stories, Christmas Nativity, Nativity of Jesus, Manger, Christmas Sermons for Kids, Christmas Crafts, Projects for Advent, Christmas Sermons, Mary, Joseph, Three Kings, Nativity Lessons, Shepherds, Gabriel, Bethlehem, Angels, Star of Bethlehem, Magi, King Herod

Children's Sermons & Lessons on the Nativity of Jesus
Original Nativity Story - It's A Boy - Challenging youth to distinguish fact from fiction in the Nativity story.

The Nativity - A lesson plan for young children.

Angels & Shepherds - A lesson plan on angels and shepherds

Christmas Kids Sermons - Children's sermons on Christmas and Advent

Gabriel Visits Mary - A Bible lesson on the birth of Christ

Gifts And Wise Men - Bible lesson based on the gifts given by the wise men. Includes lessons on the symbols of Christmas.

Children's Music, Plays & Poetry for the Nativity Story
Nativity Songs - Songs for Christmas Pageants and Nativity Plays

Nativity Play - A Christmas Story by Susan Gately

Nativity Play - Directly from the Bible story

Nativity Plays - Several Children's scripts

The Birth of Jesus - A Nativity play for 9 children

Heli, The Star Of Bethlehem - A Christmas play based on an adaptation of "Heli, The Star of Bethlehem", a Christmas story about a little star who learns that God doesn't look for the biggest or the brightest, but those willing to put their complete faith in what He can do in their lives.

The Three Camels - A Christmas play based on an adaptation of "The Three Camels", a Christmas story about the three wise men and their camels: Erin, Nina, and Penda. The camels asked God to send them on a great adventure and boy did He ever!

Additional Resources & Links on Nativity
Nativity Resources For Teachers - Christmas stories and activities

-- Nativity Stuff For Teens and Adults --

Devotions, Discussions & Sermons About Nativity

The Real Nativity Story - Surprising Truths You May Not Know!

Jesus' Birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:1-7) - A brief lesson from Luke

Making the ‘Christmas Sermon’ Relevant For Today’s Culture - A discussion on how pastors/teachers can make their Christmas messages more powerful.

The Birth Of Jesus - An article by Daniel B. Wallace, Ph.D on the birth of Christ

The Coming Of Christ - A sermon by Rev. H A Matney (1868-1951) based on Luke 2:7&11

The Birth Of Salvation - A sermon by Rev. H A Matney (1868-1951) based on Luke 2:8-20.

The Search For Christ - A sermon by Rev. H A Matney (1868-1951) based on Matthew 2:1-12

The Magi And The Star Of Bethlehem - A lesson on the Wise Men

Educational - Archaeology, History & Theology Concerning the Nativity of Jesus
Bethlehem - Lots of background information on the location of the Nativity

The Star Of Bethlehem - A US astronomer claims he has found the first mention of the star of Bethlehem outside the Bible.

The Christmas Star - A thorough site that discusses the Christmas star

The Biblical Nativity Narratives - A nice overview of traditions and meaning of the Christmas season - scroll down for Nativity.

Potluck - Neat Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else on Nativity
Nativity Sets - The University of Dayton hosts exhibits of Nativity sets and crèches from all around the world. Follow links for pictures of previous Nativity scene exhibits.

Nativity Art - The Nativity is one of the most illustrated events in our history. Links to all the best Nativity paintings.

Nativity of Jesus In Art - Nativity artwork throughout history

Nativity Scene - The origins of the nativity scene

See also Christmas, Wise Men/Epiphany

Do you know an interesting site that should be added? Drop us an email and let us know!

Home

OLD TESTAMENT: Creation Daniel Daniel In the Lions' Den David and Goliath Elijah Jehoshaphat Jonah Joseph Ruth Samson Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Walls of Jericho

NEW TESTAMENT: Christmas Easter Good Samaritan Nativity Palm Sunday Parable of the Sower Prodigal Son Wise Men

MIRACLES OF JESUS: Centurion's Servant Coin Carrying Fish Feeding 5,000 Miraculous Catch of Fish Water Into Wine