Jesse Tree Day 24: The Birth of Christ

And! Finally! The moment that we’ve been waiting for… Christ is born! Hallelujah!

The Birth of Christ

A Reading from the Gospel of Luke (Luke 2:1-7)

And it came to pass, that in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that the whole world should be enrolled.

This enrolling was first made by Cyrinus, the governor of Syria.

And all went to be enrolled, every one into his own city.

The Census at Bethlehem, by Pieter Brugel the Elder, c. 1566. Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium. Via IllustratedPrayer.com
The Census at Bethlehem, by Pieter Brugel the Elder, c. 1566. Royal Museums of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem: because he was of the house and family of David,

 To be enrolled with Mary his espoused wife, who was with child.

Detail from Portinari Altarpiece depicting the Journey of Bethlehem, by Hugo van der Goes, c. 1475–78. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.
Detail from Portinari Altarpiece depicting the Journey of Bethlehem, by Hugo van der Goes, c. 1475–78. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy.

And it came to pass, that when they were there, her days were accomplished, that she should be delivered.

Nativity, by Master of Vyšší Brod, c. 1350. Národni Galerie, Prague, Czechia.
Nativity, by Master of Vyšší Brod, c. 1350. Národni Galerie, Prague, Czechia.

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

The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, by Duccio di Buoninsegna, c. 1308-11. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., United States.
The Nativity with the Prophets Isaiah and Ezekiel, by Duccio di Buoninsegna, c. 1308-11. National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., United States.

Karina Tabone

Karina Tabone is a wife, mother of four, author, blogger, and lover of Christian artwork. She's the author of the Illustrated Rosary series, which pairs every prayer of the Rosary with beautiful religious artwork. She likes also milkshakes, sunshine, and mystery novels. Follow her on Twitter at @illustr_prayer.

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