<P> The theological significance of the Nativity of Jesus has been a key element in Christian teachings, from the early Church Fathers to 20th century theologians . The theological issues were addressed as early as Apostle Paul, but continued to be debated and eventually lead to both Christological and Mariological differences among Christians that resulted in early schisms within the Church by the 5th century . </P> <P> He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation . For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible . </P> <P> Paul the Apostle viewed the birth of Jesus as an event of cosmic significance which brought forth a "new man" who undid the damage caused by the fall of the first man, Adam . Just as the Johannine view of Jesus as the incarnate Logos proclaims the universal relevance of his birth, the Pauline perspective emphasizes the birth of a new man and a new world in the birth of Jesus . Paul's eschatological view of Jesus counter-positions him as a new man of morality and obedience, in contrast to Adam . Unlike Adam, the new man born in Jesus obeys God and ushers in a world of morality and salvation . </P> <P> In the Pauline view, Adam is positioned as the first man and Jesus as the second: Adam, having corrupted himself by his disobedience, also infected humanity and left it with a curse as inheritance . The birth of Jesus, on the other hand, counterbalanced the fall of Adam, bringing forth redemption and repairing the damage done by Adam . </P>

Where is the christmas story in the gospels