Birth
The birth of Jesus Christ is a miraculous and central event in all human history.  Christ’s arrival was prophesied centuries before he was born to Mary and Joseph in the city of Bethlehem, in Judea. Although Mary was espoused to Joseph, Jesus Christ’s father was God, the Father.

Jesus Christ’s parentage gave him both heavenly and mortal qualities.  This would allow him to fulfill his mission as Savior of the World. Elder McConkie further explains “that … he [Jesus Christ] submitted to all the trials of mortality, suffering ‘temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death’ (Mosiah 3:5–8), finally being put to death . . .” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 155).  If Jesus Christ had not had these mortal qualities, He could not have suffered for us as he did.  He could not understand us as He does.  But as He was born as a man and took on our sorrows and sins, He knows us – our pains and our struggles.  Isaiah was one prophet who spoke of Christ in great detail, as in the 53rd chapter, fourth verse: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”  Beyond foretelling of when and how he would be born, the prophets spoke of his mission.

Also, in The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, the prophets talked about and looked forward to the birth of Jesus Christ. These prophets, and their people, lived in the Americas.  Five years before Jesus’ birth, a prophet named Samuel was called by God to prepare the people for the birth of Jesus. He warned them to repent and believe in the Savior. Samuel prophesied of certain events that would tell those in the Americas that Christ had been born in Jerusalem. The night before, there would be great lights in the sky. These lights would be so bright that night would appear as day – there would be no darkness.

“And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you” (Helaman 14:5).  The Book of Mormon portrays a people who would never see Christ in his mortal ministry – but his birth was as important to them as it was to those in Jerusalem.

The night of Christ’s birth was one of celebration, of angelic testimony.  An angel appeared to shepherds in the nearby fields and told them of the Event, the “good tidings of great joy,” that “for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2, 10-11).

The star, that great heavenly indication of Christ’s birth, was followed by wise men from the east, who found Jesus and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Herod, king of Judea, thought his throne and his authority threatened by the coming of the Messiah.  He ordered the death of all the children of Bethlehem, of two years of age and younger, to be killed.  He would not brook the idea of this new child ruling Israel in his stead. (see Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:6)

Mary’s husband, Joseph, received a vision from an angel of the Lord, warning him to flee to Egypt.  This they did – they would later return to Nazareth, their home city, not to Bethlehem. 

The setting of Jesus’ birth was humble.  Luke 2:7 reads: “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” The glory of his birth was in the signs of the sky, in the thanksgiving of the heavens, in the speech of angels, not in mortal pomp and splendor.

Childhood of Jesus Christ
The New Testament tells us little about Jesus’ childhood.  Luke 2:40 states: “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.”  Jesus progressed from birth – his role as the Messiah was not sudden, but built up through preparation.

In the same chapter, Luke tells us that every year Joseph and Mary and other faithful Jews celebrated the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem. Their son Jesus accompanied them when he reached the age of 12 (Luke 2:41–42).

Mary and Joseph started home to Nazareth after the Passover celebration and realized Jesus was not with them (Luke 2:43–45). They found him still n the Jewish temple, in deep discussion with the leaders there. Luke writes that “all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers” (2:47). When his parents asked him what he was doing, Jesus answered, “I must be about my Father’s business” (Luke 2:49).  This would seem to indicate that Jesus had counsel with his true father, his Heavenly Father, and was aware of what he was and what he would need to do for mankind.

Despite this, Jesus was not arrogant and did not dismiss his earthly parents. Luke 2:51 states that he “was subject unto them.”  Also Jesus “increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52).  He developed as he grew older, and not in a lopsided fashion – he was wise and spiritual and able to speak well with other people.

Mortal Ministry
During His mortal life, Christ taught the gospel to all who would hear Him.  He healed the sick and performed other miracles, from changing water to wine, to calming the stormy waters of the sea.  He organized His church on earth. He was the Savior, the Messiah, and his life was lived perfect as an example to all men.
 
The Sermon on the Mount is recorded in Matthew 5.  This sermon represents many of the principles of Christ’s gospel, its gentleness, its service and love one to another.

Records of the miracles the Savior performed are scattered throughout the New Testament.  As Christ became more known among the people, they would bring their sick to him.  Christ’s compassion would move him to seek out the ill and soothe their pain.

Jesus Christ also organized his church. Matthew 3:14 states, “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.” The calling of these twelve disciples was an integral part of the organization of Christ’s church on earth, which was later lost.  (Mormons believe that their church is the restored Church of Christ).

Jesus’ final and most important act was the Atonement. He took upon himself the sins and suffering of mankind in the Garden of Gethsemane and sealed his sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.

He was resurrected three days later.  He lives today, our advocate with the Father.