Symbols and Images in the Stories of Jesus' Birth and Infancy

This chart provides a concise overview of the narrative elements in the stories of Jesus’ birth and infancy in the gospels of Luke and Matthew.

This chart of narrative elements could be used by classroom teachers for their own background preparation for teaching the Christmas story. Senior students could also use the chart in their reading and analysis of the infancy narratives.

The chart identifies and explains what is - and is not - included in the gospel accounts of the nativity. Students can use these analyses for pursuing further research on the contemporary meaning of these story features.