1. Jesus’ birth takes place near the end of the reign of Herod the Great (Matt 2:1; Luke 1:5).

2. The names of the principal characters: Mary, Jesus’ future mother, and Joseph his adopted father.

3. Mary is a virgin engaged to Joseph but they have not begun to live together nor have they consummated their marriage (Matt 1:18; Luke 1:27, 34; 2:5).

4. Joseph is of Davidic descent (Matt 1:16-20; Luke 1:27; 2:4).

5. An angel from heaven announces the birth of Jesus (Matt 1:20-21; Luke 1:28-30).

6. Jesus is recognized as a son of David (Matt 1:1; Luke 1:32).

7. Jesus’ conception will take place miraculously i.e. through the Holy Spirit (Matt 1:18, 20; Luke 1:35).

8. Joseph is not involved in the conception—unlike similar stories in the OT in which it is a barren woman who conceives though through normal means (Matt 1:18-25; Luke 1:34).

9. The name Jesus is given by the angel prior to his birth (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31). The Greek for this in fact is strikingly similar which greatly increases the likelihood to hold on purely historical critical grounds that this tradition predates both gospels:

(Matt 1:21):	τέξεται δὲ υἱὸν καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν.	And she will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus.
(Luke 1:31):	καὶ τέξῃ υἱόν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν.	And you will give birth to a son and you will call his name Jesus.

10. Jesus is identified as “savior” by the angel (Matt 1:21; Luke 1:31).

11. Jesus is born after Mary and Joseph begin to live together (Matt 1:24-25; Luke 2:4-7).

12. Jesus is born in Bethlehem (Matt 2:1; Luke 2:4-7).

13. The family has a house in Bethlehem (Matt 2:10; Luke 2:7—which I believe refers to Joseph’s ancestral home in Bethlehem rather than an “inn” or a stable).

14. The family settles in Nazareth sometime after the birth of Jesus (Matt 2:22-23; Luke 2:39, 51).

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