The nativity story is arguably the greatest story ever told. It is one of the first ones children learn, from a very young age. But sometimes we need to slow down and dig into the characters in the nativity story and what they represent. Let’s explore each character individually and what we can learn from them!

My three-year-old has gotten fantastic at asking about every single character in a book. We will read the same story over and over again until he has every character memorized (potential back story, future story and current story, he wants all the information).

What I’ve realized, is that sometimes we glaze over characters in stories. We make sure we know their name, but don’t explain to our children who they are and what their importance is.

The same happens in our nativity story. We retell it so many times we forget that young children need us to go back and dig into each character so they have the back story, the future story and the most important story; Jesus’ birth!

This advent season, take some time to truly see each person in the Christmas story, to meet them one by one and discover what they can teach us!

Characters of the Nativity Story

Mary: The Willing Heart

“And Mary said, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.’” (Luke 1:38)

One of the most important characters in the nativity story, Mary was a young girl, likely a teenager. She was ordinary, not famous or rich. She was engaged to be married to Joseph but God had an extraordinary purpose for her life. 

When Gabriel appeared to her, he gave her the news that she would have a baby – God’s son. An impossibility but she said “yes” anyways.

I love Mary’s story because it shows us how faith can conquer fear. She must have been terrified. And yet she trusted God with her whole being and said “I am the Lord’s servant,” offering herself to His will.

Kid-Friendly Explanation: “Mary was a regular girl, just like you might know. But God chose HER to be Jesus’ mommy! When the angel told her, she was probably scared and confused. But she said, ‘Okay, God. I trust You.’ Mary shows us that God can use anyone who says yes to Him.”

For more about Mary, read “Do What He Says: Faith Like Mary“

Joseph: The Faithful Protector

“When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.” (Matthew 1:24)

Another important character in this story is Joseph. Jesus’ adoptive, earthly father. He was Mary’s fiancé, eventually becoming her husband. He had a choice to make when he found out Mary was pregnant, but once again shows us that faith creates kindness.

He didn’t publicly shame Mary when he learned of her pregnancy, instead he believed Mary (and the angel who came to him in a dream) and took the task God had given them.

Not only that, but he protected Mary and Jesus. We learn faith, kindness and obedience in the face of difficulty from his character. He could have left, but he chose to stay even when God’s plan didn’t make sense.

Kid-Friendly Explanation: “Joseph had to make a really hard choice. He could have said, ‘This is too confusing, I’m leaving.’ But when God told him to stay and take care of Mary and baby Jesus, he obeyed. Joseph shows us that real men protect their families and obey God, even when it’s hard.”

The Shepherds: The Unexpected Guests

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:10-11)\

The shepherds are one of my favourite characters in the nativity story. I think because they are the first to “hear” of His arrival. God chose them to be the first visitors of Jesus. Lowly, smelly, invisible to society, shepherds! 

They got an unexpected announcement, angels appearing on a hill, and they took the news and literally ran to find baby Jesus. How many of us would drop what we are doing and RUN to meet a strangers baby? Not only that but tell everyone you see about Him?

The shepherds remind us that Jesus came for everyone. Not great kings or those with respectable jobs, but everyone. And not only that, but when we encounter Jesus, we should rejoice and tell others about Him.

Kid-Friendly Explanation: “The shepherds were doing their regular job – watching sheep – when suddenly the sky lit up with angels! God didn’t tell kings or rich people first. He told ordinary workers. Why? Because Jesus came for EVERYONE. And when they saw baby Jesus, they were so excited they told everyone they could find! That’s what happens when you meet Jesus – you just have to tell people!”

The Angels: God’s Messengers

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14)

We see angels a few times throughout the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph both encountered angels as did the Shepherds. They are God’s messengers, bringing His words to the people who need to hear them. 

They declared good news but also offer comfort, reminding people not to be afraid, because the story that is coming is so so good!

The angels again remind us of our response to Jesus; rejoicing! They were excited and proclaimed “Glory to God,” and “peace on earth,” which are main messages of Christmas.

Kid-Friendly Explanation: “Angels are like God’s special helpers and messengers. At Christmas, they were SO excited about Jesus being born that they couldn’t stay quiet! They appeared to people and said, ‘Good news! The Savior is here!’ And then a whole bunch of angels sang praises to God. When something amazing happens, we should praise God too – just like the angels did!”

The Wise Men: The Seeking Hearts

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’” (Matthew 2:1-2)

The wise men show up as characters in the nativity scenes but Biblically they didn’t appear until Jesus was older. It is much easier to lump them alogether on the same night (although as a mom, I know that would have been overwhelming to have shepherds AND wise men show up after giving birth in a stable!)

The wise men were scholars, or “scientists” from far away. They studied the stars, they weren’t Jewish but they were seeking truth and boy did they find it!

They were the ones who saw the giant star in the sky and knew it had great meaning. They followed it…again seeking truth, a reminder that when we seek truth and follow it, we will find Jesus.

They stopped at King Herod’s palace, seeking directions and brought the villain into the story. Herod didn’t want a new king to take his place so he advised the wise men to return to him once they found the baby so he could find him and worship him.

The wise men find Jesus and present gifts, which hold more significance than being expensive.

Gold: For a king (Jesus is the King of Kings)

Frankincense: For worship (Jesus is worthy of worship)

Myrrh: For burial (Jesus would die for us)

They worshiped him and then in a dream were warned to go home by a different route, to avoid king Herod and his plot to kill Jesus.

Kid-Friendly Explanation: “The wise men were like scientists who studied stars. When they saw a special star, they knew something amazing had happened – a king was born! So they traveled a LONG way (it probably took months!) to find Jesus. They didn’t just say ‘hi’ – they bowed down and worshiped Him. And they brought Him expensive, special gifts. The wise men show us that seeking truth is worth any effort, because when we seek truth, we seek Jesus! When we find Jesus, we should worship Him and offer our best.

Jesus: The True Hero of Christmas

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Jesus is the main event, the reason we gather, the reason we celebrate. But more than just a baby, or someone having a birthday, He is God’s son. He came as a human, the promised saviour, the King of Kings and Emanuel – God with us.

He came as a saviour, but not in the way people thought. He didn’t come as a great warrior or king. He came in the humblest of circumstances. He was born in a stable, laid in a manger and visited by shepherds. He came to save everyone because we all sin and are in need of the glory of God!

We celebrate Christmas because it is His birthday, we remember the day He was born and the gift He gave us; love. And everlasting love that transcends time and space. A love that conquered death and brought us life.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14)

Kid-Friendly Explanation: “Jesus is the whole reason for Christmas! He’s not just a good teacher or a nice man – He’s GOD who became a baby. Why? Because He loves you SO much that He wanted to be close to you. He came to save you. Every other character in the story points to Jesus. Mary carried Him, Joseph protected Him, angels announced Him, shepherds worshiped Him, wise men sought Him. But Jesus is the hero. He’s the Savior. He’s the gift. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday, and He’s the best gift we could ever receive.”

Bringing It All Together: The Complete Christmas Story

When we bring all these characters together into the nativity story, we see God’s big picture. We see faith, obedience, worship and sharing the good news, all from ordinary people. So many things could have gone wrong, and yet when we trust God’s plan, we see that everything happens as it should.

We also see that Jesus came for everyone, the rich and the poor. He used people from different backgrounds to share the good news. And who is at the centre of it all? Jesus! He is what brings us all together, to worship Him and seek His truth.

The Story That Changes Everything

Teaching the Christmas story to kids is about exploring the deeper meaning behind the characters in the nativity. Understanding the fundamental pieces that came together and how God’s plan was perfect, even when it seemed strange or impossible.

This Christmas help your children meet the characters, to understand their position in the story and how it all came together to the nativity scene we are familiar with. But most importantly, help them meet Jesus.

Read the Christmas story this week (Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20, Matthew 2:1-12) and talk about the characters in the nativity scene. Explain how each character is important and share how God used them for His perfect plan, even when it seemed uncertain. The nativity story is more than a cute story, it is a powerful testament to God’s love for us and the love Jesus has for us!

For more on the love of Jesus, read Ann Voskamp’s 40 day devotional “Loved to Life,” available on Amazon.

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