Christmas and the Nativity of Jesus

The story of Christmas is based on the biblical accounts given in the Gospel of Matthew, namely Matthew 1:18-Matthew 2:12 and the Gospel of Luke, specifically Luke 1:26-Luke 1:56.

According to these accounts, Jesus was born to Mary, assisted by her husband Joseph, in the city of Bethlehem. The birth took place in a stable, surrounded by farm animals, and the infant Jesus was laid in a manger. Shepherds from the fields surrounding Bethlehem were told of the birth by an angel, and were the first to see the child.

The word "Christmas" is derived from the Middle English Christemasse and Old English Cristes mæsse meaning "Christ's mass."