The story of Jesus’ birth is called the Nativity, and it is one of the most well-known parts of the Christian story. Christians believe Jesus was born in Bethlehem around the year 5 BCE (Before the Common Era). His parents were Mary and Joseph, who cared for him and raised him with love.
When Jesus was born, he was given the Hebrew name Yeshua. Over time, as the story of Jesus spread into the Greek- and Latin-speaking world, this name became “Jesus.”
Names and Titles of Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth – Jesus grew up in the town of Nazareth, in the region of Galilee (in modern-day Israel). People often identified him by his hometown.
“The carpenter’s son” – Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, worked as a carpenter, so people sometimes referred to Jesus in this way.
Jesus Christ – The title Christ comes from the Greek word Christos, which means Messiah or Anointed One. This title shows that Christians believe Jesus was the promised saviour sent by God.
Why the Nativity Matters
The Nativity is not just a story of a baby’s birth. For Christians, it shows that God chose to enter the world in a humble way — born in a small town, to ordinary people. This event is celebrated every year at Christmas, reminding Christians of God’s love, hope, and the beginning of Jesus’ mission on earth.
📚 Key Terms:
A title of Jesus, meaning the saviour (or Messiah).
Judaism - ‘The anointed one’. Orthodox Jews believe that the Messiah will be a human person sent by God to establish justice and peace on the earth. For Reform Jews, the Messiah is a symbolic figure.
Christianity - The saviour of humanity. Jesus.
The birth of Jesus.
This is how Jesus is described in John’s Gospel.
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