Jesus Christ

Joseph, Mary and Baby Jesus

Jesus of Nazareth (b. 8-4 BC) is the central figure of Christianity. Christian views of Jesus center on the belief that Jesus is the Messiah as promised in the Old Testament and that he was resurrected after he died on a cross. Christians predominantly believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who became incarnate to provide salvation and to reconcile humanity with God by atoning for the sins of humanity by his death. Other common Christian beliefs include his Virgin Birth, miracles, fulfillment of biblical prophecy, ascension into Heaven, and future Second Coming.

The birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas. According to the Bible, Jesus' mother, Mary, and adoptive father, Joseph, were unable to find lodging in Bethlehem when she was pregnant with him and were forced to bring the child into the world in a lowly manger, where he was visited by three kings bearing gold, myrrh, and frankincense. This Nativity story has has been portrayed by the Muppets on several occasions.

A Christmas Together

John Denver narrates the Nativity story in the 1979 special John Denver and the Muppets: A Christmas Together, complete with Muppets representing Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus.

Elmo's World: Happy Holidays

A pageant of the Nativity story is presented by Prairie Dawn and the Sesame Street cast in Elmo's World: Happy Holidays. In the pageant, Natasha plays baby Jesus, with Bert as Joseph, Rosita as Mary, Zoe as an angel, and Herry, Grover and Cookie Monster as the Three Kings.