When most Christians think of the Christmas story we think of the baby Jesus born in a barn, laid in a manger (the trough where farm animals are fed). That is the focal point of the story, after all. However, many events lead up to and away from that pinpoint of time. A brief listing of those events follows.
Why? Because I think there may be others who want to focus a little more directly on the birth of Jesus during this holiday. I want to share what I did many years ago, when my children were young. Each Christmas season we read and acted out the listed events. We took a few days to a couple of weeks to complete them. A few occurred after Christmas Day, while most occurred leading up to the day.
I chose to do it this way because I wanted my children to experience the events separately. I wanted them to give them an experiential understanding that time separated these events. Today I’m posting the list of events and where they are in the Bible. That will allow you, if you desire, to decide when to read, act out, and discuss them in your family.
Enjoy and be blessed!
- Luke 1:5-23
- An angel appears to Zechariah, announcing John the Baptist’s birth.
- Matthew 1:26-38
- Angel appears to Mary, announcing Jesus’ birth:
- Luke 1:39-56
- Mary goes to visit Elizabeth.
- Luke 1:57-80
- John born.
- Matthew 1:18-24
- Angel appears to Joseph.
- Luke 2:1-7
- Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem.
- Luke 2:8-20
- Angels appear to Shepherds, announce Jesus’ birth; Shepherds go to find Jesus.
- Luke 2:21-35; 2:36-38
- Jesus presented at the Temple – Simeon prophesies; Anna prophesies;
- Luke 2:39
- Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth.
- Matthew 2:1-9
- Magi in Jerusalem; finding and worshipping the child; return home a different way.
- Matthew 2:9-18
- Escape to Egypt; Herod’s revenge.
- Matthew 2:19-23 ;
- Joseph and Mary return to Nazareth from Egypt.