Let’s start with the trip to Bethlehem. The Christmas card image of Joseph walking through the desert at night, while leading Mary who is riding a donkey isn’t found anywhere in the Scriptures. Since the purpose of the journey was a census/tax, then all of Mary’s and Joseph’s family would have probably been traveling together. They would have all been of the same house and lineage, afterall. Furthermore, they would have likely been together when the Baby was born. Did neither Mary nor Joseph have any living parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or siblings? Where are they in the nativities?
Next, the couple didn’t necessarily arrive in Bethlehem the very night of Jesus’ birth, as if often depicted in films. The Bible merely says that she delivered Jesus, “while they were there” (Luke 2:6). More precisely, the verse says, “while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered,” strongly suggesting that she spent that remaining part of her pregnancy in Bethlehem. They could have been there for days, weeks, or even months!
My next point is probably the most controversial and puts me at odds with most Christians but I don’t believe Jesus was born in a stable. The word translated as inn in the KJV (Strong’s 2646, kataluma, καταλύμα) is the same word used in Mark 14:14 to refer to the room where Jesus had the Last Supper. In Mark, the word is translated as guestchamber and suggests it was just an area in a residence available for guests. Typical Jewish homes in the 1st century weren’t spacious buildings with many bedrooms. Instead, they were smaller buildings built upward with a second floor. Mundane living, cooking, and family gathering was done on the 1st floor during the day. At night, the animals (typically some goats or maybe a donkey) were brought inside, and the family slept on the 2nd floor. As already discussed, Mary and Joseph would have had family in Bethlehem and they likely would have been staying with them. Because of the census, many members of the same family were probably staying in the same house, making the normal sleeping areas overcrowded. This, combined with Mary nearing delivery and so would have had difficulty climbing to the 2nd floor, means Mary and Joseph may have been sleeping on the 1st floor where the animals were kept. This is the type of situation Jesus likely was born into - a poor, overcrowded home - not a stable.
The final misconception many people have about the Nativity is that the wisemen weren’t there! This point really isn’t debateable. The coming of the wise men discussed in Matthew 2 happened when Jesus was nearing 2 years old. Matthew 2:16 says that Herod ordered the murder of all children up to two years old “according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.” In other words, the wise men had seen the “star” as long as two years earlier and had just then arrived to worship the Savior. I should probably do a separate post about the Star and the wise men.
When I point out these little details, some people despair. I’m not sure why. I guess it’s because it upsets the scene of that night they have always pictured in their minds but there’s no need to lament. The most important details about Jesus’ birth have been recorded correctly. It’s the message given by the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-14:
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Wow, that is good news!!
No comments:
Post a Comment