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The Greatest Story Ever Told

For over 2000 years, The Greatest Story Ever Told and the tale most often repeated has been about a special baby, an unwed mother, a long uncomfortable donkey ride, a hotel with no vacancies, an animal barn turned nursery, a shiny star, sleepy shepherds, singing angels, and traveling smart men packing presents! It is the miraculous but TRUE story of our Savior’s birth.

The Bible is filled with references about it. But, the first four books in the New Testament are called the Gospels and they contain stories about Jesus' life on earth. Two of these books, Matthew and Luke, contain the most details of the Greatest Story Ever Told. 

The book of Matthew was written by Matthew. He was one of the twelve disciples. Matthew knew and loved Jesus. For about three years they lived and traveled together. He even saw Jesus perform miracles! About 60 years after Jesus died on the cross, rose again and went to heaven, Matthew was still alive and wrote about the life of Jesus even about his birth. He probably even knew, Mary, Jesus’ mother. 

The book of Luke also gives wonderful insight into the real life characters who played a significant role in Jesus' birth story. Luke knew the apostle Paul who knew Jesus personally. Biblical historians think Luke also talked to other people who knew Jesus while Jesus was still alive and those witnesses told Luke what they had heard with their own ears. He also said in Luke 1:3 that he carefully investigated everything about Jesus, including the story of how Jesus was born. Luke 1:3 says in the New Living Translation, "Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable..."

Both writers tell the story in different ways, but they are both true. For example, let's say your brother scored a touchdown, and you saw him do it. Later you tell your friend that your brother scored because his offensive linemen did a great job of blocking. Later, you hear your brother tell your mom that he scored that same touchdown because he had a great catch, ran like lightning and broke three tackles! Which story was true? Well, both were true! It is just being told from two different perspectives from two different people! That is why these two accounts of the birth of Jesus are different. 

Think about it:

Before you actually listen to the story from the book written by Matthew, and the story from the book written by Luke, think about something you've experienced with someone else, but they view the same experience very different.