The writers contrast was between the royal birthplace that this son of david deserved and the humble one he received. This christmas season, luke 2 will probably be the mostread passage of scripture. The christmas story comparisons teaching resources. The christmas story from the gospels of matthew and luke. Lukes christmas story 5 things to notice as you read. Below, i am sharing the 2 different versions of the christmas story as shared by the gospel of matthew and of luke. Both matthew and luke, the gospel writers who brought the story of jesus miraculous birth into the christmas tradition, wrote no earlier than the ninth or perhaps even the 10th decade of the. Whats christmas without the birth of our lord and savior jesus christ. Each has a different perspective, approach, and audience.
Matthew and luke differ in significant ways in their versions of the birth of jesus. Matthew and luke have different accounts of the birth of jesus. With the help of some local celebrities we bring you the official version of the christmas story as told to us from the gospels of luke and matthew. Dec 11, 2008 comparing the luke and matthew versions of the christmas story. Jan 05, 2011 these are my musing and notes surrounding the birth narratives as told in luke 12 and matthew 12 they are brief at best. The traditional christmas story is found in matthew and luke chapters 1 and 2. This chapter of the new testament tells the ageold christmas story, but its also extremely relevant to our.
Its interesting to read the differences between the 2 gospel texts quoted off from the king james bible. Our modern christmas story is a composite drawn from two gospels, meaning devotional accounts of the life of jesus, known as the books of matthew and. These sections are all weaved together to form a more robust narrative of the christmas story. I never knew that matthew didnt know what luke knew and that luke didnt know what matthew did.
In that account we encounter mary and joseph, the trip to bethlehem, the manger scene, and the angels and shepherds. Does matthew or luke tell a better christmas story. It tells of mary and josephs journey to bethlehem, the birth of jesus, the angels announcement to the shepherds in the fields, the shepherds visit to the stable, and even jesus childhood. In fact, charles dickens may be the real inventor of christmas. Luke also has special concern for the poor and the humble. The christmas story there are two accounts of jesus birth in the bible. Twelveyear old jesus goes to jerusalem for passover luke 2.
Dec 25, 2017 the christmas stories or the infancy narratives occur only in the gospels according to saints matthew and luke. Birth of christ the christmas story chronological account. Matthews account of the birth of jesus might be the first one we read in the new testament, but it was not the first to have been written. Only in the gospel of matthew do we find the magi who followed the star. The christmas story from the gospels of luke and matthew. How is the christmas story different in different gospels. Luke s gospel became a defense against this gnostic heresy, because the birth story emphasizes marys pregnancy and the human birth of jesus. This resource tells the nativity story using the words of luke chapter 2 niv. His exclusion from human society anticipated the rejection that he would continue to experience throughout his ministry. The christmas story in the gospel of john bellator christi. It might come as a big surprise to learn that many of the elements people often treasure as part of the nativity story come from christmas carols and that the true source for this event, the gospels in the new testament, deal with the story of the birth of jesus in four very different, but yet not contradictory, ways. The universal christmas story has combined both matthew and lukes narrative with santa claus and charles dickens a christmas carol, into the story we get so sentimental about at this season of the year.
The central conceit of the play, of dialogue between two gospel writers, to me, would be better served by omitting the above, perhaps by matthew and luke, being news reporters of events with roots in scripture, from different from places, perhaps passing the mic, as it were. Dec 08, 2010 the christmas story in the fourth gospel ends by acknowledging that no one has ever seen god. Dec 22, 2019 our modern christmas story is a composite drawn from two gospels, meaning devotional accounts of the life of jesus, known as the books of matthew and luke. Borg stories of jesus birth are found in only two of the four new testament gospels, matthew. The story and the theological message of matthew differ drastically from luke. The christmas story from the gospel of luke all pro dad. Dec 21, 2011 with the help of some local celebrities we bring you the official version of the christmas story as told to us from the gospels of luke and matthew. Christmas story from the gospel of matthew matthew 1. The story begins with a genealogy that places jesus in the line of descent from abraham and david. Dec 11, 2017 we most often, at christmas, read the story of jesus birth from the gospel of luke. Elements from both are included in every sunday school christmas pageant, but how much of the two stories actually agree. The christmas story according to matthew thinking faith. The political significance of lukes christmas story by marcus j.
They write to two different communities and thus their messages and characters highlighted in their stories differ accordingly. Five differences between matthew and lukes versions of the christmas story by. This christmas story is drawn wordforword from the bible. Matthew traces jesus roots back to abraham to emphasize his role as the jewish messiah.
The christmas story, a harmony of the gospels celebrating. The notsovirgin birth of the christmas story raw story. Are the christmas stories in matthew and luke reconcilable. Dec 24, 2015 unbeknownst to many, johns gospel holds a christmas story as well. While john does not provide many of the historical details that matthew and luke do, john provides a deep christmas story. The christmas stories of matthew and luke are very different. Birth of christ the christmas story chronological account of the birth of christ from the gospels of matthew and luke. Dec 24, 2015 below, i am sharing the 2 different versions of the christmas story as shared by the gospel of matthew and of luke.
A dramatised extract from lukes gospel that tells his version of the christmas story luke 1. This verse from johns gospel also tells us the same story as recorded in matthew and luke yet without mary and joseph, the stable, angels, shepherds, and wise men. The christmas story according to the gospel of matthew and. Read both of these accounts below and then compare and contrast the two gospel accounts of the nativity of christ. Matthew begins with a genealogy to show jesus heritage and then tells of his miraculous conception and birth without any reference to a journey to bethlehem. The universal christmas story has combined both matthew and luke s narrative with santa claus and charles dickens a christmas carol, into the story we get so sentimental about at this season of the year. The classic nativity scene is actually an amalgamation of the different gospel accounts reuters. In fact, the accounts are so different that the only things matthew and luke agree on are that mary and joseph lived in nazareth and that jesus was born in bethlehem. Johns christmas story is found in the first chapter of johns gospel. Andrea perch matthew luke ontario religious education. The books of matthew and luke both give accounts of the birth of jesus, while the book of john gives a more ethereal account of how the word became flesh john 1.
Yet we dont hear of a christmas celebration in the life of the church until the fourth century, when it is listed in an almanac as the feast of the nativity. John the baptists mother elisabeth, the christmas story involving mary, wives of authorities, and some unnamed women are all given interesting prominence in this gospel. There are actually two different christmas stories not counting popular later addons like the little drummer boy, santa and rudolph. Have you told your children the reason for this season. The christmas story from the gospel of luke quiz 10 questions. The spiritual perspective in lukes gospel is exceeded only by the same emphasis in acts. The innkeeper has become a villain figure in the christmas story, but luke did not present him as such. Peter edmonds sj thinks about how the gospels opening verses were shaped by earlier references to jesuss birth and by the books of the old testament. In such a parallel universe, the most careful skeptic would rightly suggest doubts about that tradition.
The remaining two matthew and luke have very different accounts. It could be used for your christmas pageant, nativity play, or for family reading. Simply read them the christmas story from the gospel of luke below. Comparing matthew and lukes birth narratives living on. Why do matthew and luke have different nativity stories. I spent time comparing and contrasting them, along with christmas carols from the moravian book of worship. Dec 22, 2019 matthew and luke are the only two gospels that trace the genealogy of jesus and things surrounding his birth. In the gospel of matthew, the story is told from the standpoint of a man, especially joseph. Dec 21, 2017 early morning worship songs for prayers gospel music praise and worship songs gospel music cover songs 526 watching live now three wise men matthew 2 the magi christmas bible story for kids. He is the true meaning behind the reason we celebrate this special occasion.
Dec 07, 2017 nowhere is this more evident than at christmas. Each book presents a different telling, but the story as we know it is a compilation of the two. Christmas according to matthew and luke daily news. The tone, tenor and plot of lukes account of the jesus birth narrative is very different from that in matthews gospel. The christmas story matthew and luke chapters 1 and 2. Returning for its 12th year, let it be christmas the gospel according to matthew, mark, luke, john, paul, george, and ringo is epic theatre companys original beatles rockopera nativity story told in two acts. The christmas story from the gospels of matthew and luke northrup, marguerite on. Comparing the luke and matthew versions of the christmas story.
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