Pastor Sophie Mathonnet-Vander Well with Second Reformed Church in Pella says the origins of the Christmas holiday come from the gospels of Luke and Matthew.

“They basically tell the story of a baby born in Bethlehem to a young mother named Mary and a father named Joseph,” she says.

Mathonnet-Vander Well says the modern retelling of Christmas is most often a combination of the two gospels referenced in the Bible.

“If you’re paying attention, often on Christmas Eve, the Luke story is told, and if you pay attention, a week later, you might hear the story of Matthew,” she says.

Hear more about the Christmas Story on a special two-part In-Depth Program, available on KNIAKRLS.com by clicking Radio Audio Media Player.