When we talk of the Christmas story, we remember the biblical narrative that includes the holy family, the midnight hour, the animals in the farm, and the little town Bethlehem. The Gospels in the New Testament narrates the birth of Jesus in four different ways but not contrary to one another. Each of the four books creates an image of Jesus through distinctive messages intended for particular audience. The Book of Mark that was written by Mark himself mostly talks about the preaching and teachings that were made by Apostle Peter. His Gospel does not talk about the birth of Jesus however he starts the account of Jesus from the time of the calling of John the Baptist from when he was in the wild. Jesus is only mentioned from the time He comes for Baptism by John.
Mark does not talk about the birth of Christ portraying a different meaning in the Good News. His writing was directed to the Romans during that time and it shows the concealed the work of Jesus. The exclusion of any details of the birth of Jesus helps us in the understanding that however insignificant where one comes from or from his family but his service that shows who he is. Mark begins his story with the explanation that Jesus came from the lineage of David and Abraham. He speaks about the happenings at the birth of Jesus as a fulfillment of prophesies made by the prophets in the Old Testament. He portrays Jesus as a fulfillment of the prophecies that were made in the Old Testament.
The Gospel of Luke shows clearly shows us the birth of Christ mainly focusing on the ministry, life, death and eventual resurrection of Christ. The Gospel focuses mostly on those neglected and rejected and gives a good account of the birth of Jesus. Luke talks about the homelessness of Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, the special care Jesus received as a baby when He was born and how grows into a man. The Gospel of John sows the birth of Jesus started in Heaven. All that is made was through Jesus since He was there from the start. John clearly communicates that this birth is the most important occurrence in the history of the world. God became flesh and so is clean His light in darkness reflects the making of the heavens and earth.
The Gospels portray different but complimentary demonstration of the proceedings leading to the birth of Jesus. This is obvious in how they document Jesus’ birth: the book of Mathew shows Jesus as King laudable of praise and adoration; Luke presents a Savior who offers freedom to the poor and the marginalized; Mark shows Jesus as our Lord who serves us and thus presents a new route, away from superiority and position. John on his part talks of Jesus as our God who was the Word and rises to bring a new foundation on earth. The importance of the birth of Jesus is seen through these books as they give emphasis to the events that led to the birth of Christ our Lord who brought light and salvation to this world.
Works Cited
The New Testament in Four Versions: King James, Revised Standard, Phillips Modern English, New English Bible. Washington: Christianity today, 1963. Print.
