More than 2,000 years ago, in the little town of Bethlehem, something extraordinary happened.
But the story of Jesus didn't begin in Bethlehem. Long before His birth, God had promised that a Savior would come.
Through the pages of Scripture, we discover a story of promises fulfilled, humble beginnings, extraordinary love, and a Savior who came to bring hope to the world.
We invite you to explore the story for yourself, directly from God's Word.
God's plan was unfolding long before Bethlehem.
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the prophets foretold the coming of a Savior.
Through the prophet Isaiah, God promised that a child would be born who would be called Immanuel, meaning "God with us."
The prophet Micah even identified Bethlehem as the place from which Israel's promised ruler would come.
Read the Bible
"Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."
Something to Think About
The birth of Jesus wasn't an unexpected event. Scripture presents it as part of God's plan of salvation, promised long before that night in Bethlehem.
What does it mean to you that God had a plan to save humanity long before Jesus was born?
An ordinary young woman receives an extraordinary message.
In the town of Nazareth lived a young woman named Mary.
One day, the angel Gabriel appeared to her with an announcement that would change her life forever.
She would give birth to a Son named Jesus, who would be called the Son of the Highest.
Mary wondered how this could happen, since she was a virgin. Gabriel explained that the Holy Spirit would come upon her.
Although Mary didn't know everything the future would hold, she responded with faith and a willingness to follow God's will.
Joseph, who was engaged to Mary, also received a message from an angel. He was told not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, because the child she carried was conceived through the Holy Spirit.
Read the Bible
"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end."
"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."
Something to Think About
Mary and Joseph didn't have all the answers. Yet they trusted God and were willing to follow His leading.
Their story reminds us that faith doesn't always mean understanding everything. Sometimes it means trusting the One who does.
How can we learn to trust God even when we don't understand what lies ahead?