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Bible story · Luke 1–2, Matthew 2

The Birth of Jesus

An angel brings good news, and Jesus is born in a manger in Bethlehem. A 2-minute animated story, told simply for children and families, with each verse from the King James Version.

Start the storyFor parents

1 of 8

God sent the angel Gabriel to a young woman named Mary in the town of Nazareth. “Don’t be afraid,” the angel said. “You will have a baby boy, and you will call him Jesus.”

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luke 1:31 KJV

2 of 8

Mary was amazed, but she trusted God. “I am the Lord’s servant,” she said.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:38 KJV

3 of 8

Months later, Mary and Joseph made the long journey to Bethlehem, the town of King David, to be counted in the census.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Luke 2:4 KJV

4 of 8

Bethlehem was so crowded there was no room for them in the inn. When baby Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:7 KJV

5 of 8

That night, shepherds were watching their sheep in the fields nearby. Suddenly an angel appeared, and the glory of the Lord shone all around them.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

Luke 2:9 KJV

6 of 8

“Don’t be afraid,” said the angel. “I bring you good news of great joy. Today in Bethlehem a Savior has been born!”

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11 KJV

7 of 8

Then the sky filled with angels praising God: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.” The shepherds hurried off and found the baby, just as the angel had said.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:14 KJV

8 of 8

Later, wise men from the east followed a star all the way to Jesus. They bowed down and worshipped him, and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11 KJV

The end

Next story: The Wise and Foolish Builders

What does this story teach?

  • Jesus is God’s greatest gift to the world.
  • The good news is for everyone. It came first to ordinary shepherds.
  • God keeps his promises, just as the prophets said.
  • Like the wise men, we can worship Jesus and give him our best.

Questions to talk about

Use these with your children after the story, at bedtime, at the table or in a class.

  1. How do you think Mary felt when the angel visited her?
  2. Why do you think the good news came first to shepherds?
  3. What gifts did the wise men bring? What could you give to Jesus?
  4. Why do we celebrate Christmas?

Read the story in the Bible

This retelling uses simple words for young readers. Read the full account in Luke 1–2, Matthew 2, one verse per screen:

Luke 1 Luke 2 Matthew 2

Christmas Bible Verses

Christmas Bible verses that tell the birth of Jesus in order, from Isaiah’s prophecy to the manger and the wise men. Scroll the KJV Christmas story free.

Scroll christmas bible verses

Frequently asked questions

Where is the story of Jesus’ birth in the Bible?

The birth of Jesus is told in Luke 1–2 and Matthew 1–2. Luke tells of Mary, the manger and the shepherds, and Matthew tells of Joseph and the wise men.

Why was Jesus born in a manger?

Luke 2:7 says Mary laid Jesus in a manger, an animal feeding trough, “because there was no room for them in the inn.” Bethlehem was crowded because of the census.

How many wise men visited Jesus?

The Bible does not say. It mentions three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, which is probably why we often picture three wise men. Matthew 2:11 says they found Jesus in a house, so they likely came some time after his birth.

What is the meaning of the Christmas story?

Christians believe that in Jesus, God came to live among us as a baby to be our Savior. The angel called it “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” in Luke 2:10.

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