We’re looking at common misconceptions found in nativity narratives and most nativity scenes. Last week gave biblical answers for three Misconceptions About Mary and Joseph’s Journey to Bethlehem and their arrival in the city. This week addresses three more misconceptions. Although many nativity scenes, pageants and Christmas narratives portray things that are not biblically supported, we can still enjoy them. But we should not let them form our theology.
Misconceptions about the Place of Jesus’ Birth
Did the innkeeper send Mary and Joseph away because there was no room in the inn?
Someone turned them away, but not necessarily an innkeeper. The Bible records “there was no room for them in the inn,” but there is no mention of an innkeeper. The presence of an “innkeeper” has been popularized by Christmas narratives, pageants and nativity scenes that portray Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem and being turned away for lack of room.
Luke 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The idea of an innkeeper is based on the translation of the Greek word “Kataluma” to the English word “inn.” But that word can also mean something else. (For more information, read Was Jesus born in a stable, a cave or a house?)
Was Jesus was born in a stable?
There is no mention of the accommodations in which Jesus was born. Christmas narratives, pageants and nativity scenes portray Jesus’ birth as having taken place in a stable because the Bible tells us that He was “laid in a manger.” However, there are good reasons to believe that Jesus was not born in a stable, but in the lower level of a house.
Since Bethlehem was Joseph’s hometown, it is quite likely that he sought lodging at the house of a relative rather than seeking paid accommodations. This is supported by the Greek word for inn, which is used in Luke 2:7. Many homes of that time had two levels—an upper room for the family’s dwelling place and an area below for housing animals. It is very likely Mary and Joseph found refuge among the animals in the lower level of such a house.
For more information about where Jesus might have been born, read Was Jesus born in a stable, a cave or a house?
Was Jesus laid in a wooden manger laden with straw?
Again, the Christmas narratives, pageants and nativity scenes have formed our thinking on this. The Bible certainly does tell that Jesus was “laid in a manger” (Luke 2:7), but it might not have been the kind we see depicted in nativity scenes.
A manger was a feeding trough for animals and, during that time in Israel, many were made of stone. Archeological digs in Megiddo have unearthed stone mangers that are believed to have been used to feed Solomon’s horses. Whether the manger was stone or wood, we do not know. However, it is likely that they laid straw upon the manger to cushion the baby Jesus (especially if it had been a stone manger).
The Beauty of Nativity Scenes
Now don’t hear me wrong and don’t put away your nativity scenes.
Don’t skip the Christmas pageants and, please, don’t criticize the way they tell the Christmas story!
The message of Jesus coming to earth, as an infant born of a virgin, is accurate…even if some of the other details are amiss. The purpose of addressing these misconceptions is so we don’t base our theology on man’s narratives. Instead, always be a Berean and check the Scriptures to determine what is true (Acts 17:11).
Enjoy the Christmas narratives, allow nativity scenes to inspire awe and wonder, but always hold closely to the truths revealed in the Bible. The Bible does not give all-inclusive information about Jesus’ birth, but the Bible does give fully-sufficient information to know that Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth to seek and save the lost. He came to be Emmanuel—God with us. Rejoice in the great sacrifice of God that brought salvation to mankind.
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Lesson for This Week
The first rejection of Jesus happened when He was still in Mary’s womb. Mary was “great with Child,” when she and Joseph—and Jesus—were turned away “because there was no room for them in the inn.” Whether it was a stable, a cave or the animals’ shelter of a house, Jesus humbled Himself and came into our world under the lowliest of circumstances. Humble yourself and make room for Him in your heart.
1 Peter 5:5-6 …be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.
Seek His light and allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through you to shine the light of Jesus in a dark and troubled world that increasing has “no room” for Him.
John 1:1, 4-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness…
Prepare Your Heart and Make Room for Jesus
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Christmas-themed GOT QUESTIONS?
- Are You Stuck in the Middle This Christmas? (really short video lessons about sharing faith--from the popular comedy TV show "The Middle.")
- What are the Prophecies of Christmas? (video)
- Where are the genealogies of Jesus in Mark and John?
- Why are There Two Different Genealogies for Jesus?
- The Most Important Lesson for YOU in the Nativity Story?
- Misconceptions about the Journey to Bethlehem? (video)
- Errors in the Nativity Story? Is Jesus’ birthplace wrong?
- Who were the Three Wise Men? Fact or legend?
- How Did the Wise Men Know to Follow His Star?
- Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 Days After Jesus’ Birth? Or Was It Much Later?
- What is the significance of the Three Kings' gifts?
- Was Jesus born in a stable, a cave or a house?
- Was Mary a Levite, making Jesus both King and Priest?
- Was Jesus born in September (not December?)
- Was Jesus born in a stable, cave or house?
- Should Christians Celebrate Christmas?
- Should we celebrate Jesus’ birthday in September?
- How did Jesus become a man?
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Reasons for Hope* Jesus is a non-profit, donor-supported ministry.
***AS YOU CONSIDER YEAR-END GIVING***
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING REASONS FOR HOPE* JESUS.
A donation of any amount is helpful and greatly appreciated.
The Season of Advent (the 4 weeks before Christmas)
Will You Find Rest This Advent Season?
Advent Candle 1 – HOPE: Prophecy Gives Hope
Advent Candle 2 – LOVE: Promise Reveals Love
Advent Candle 3 – JOY: Jesus Is Our Joy
Advent Candle 4 – PEACE: Pause to Find Peace
Christmas-themed GOT QUESTIONS?
- Does “Xmas” Cross Jesus Out of Christmas?
- The Most Important Lesson for YOU in the Nativity Story?
- Misconceptions about the Journey to Bethlehem
- How did the Wise Men know to follow His star?
- What is the significance of the Three Kings' gifts?
- Who were the Three Wise Men? Fact or legend?
- Was Jesus born in a stable, a cave or a house?
- Was Mary a Levite, making Jesus both King and Priest?
- Was Jesus born in September (not December?)
- Should we celebrate Jesus’ birthday in September?
- How did Jesus become a man?
Christmas-themed Articles
- A Boastful Christmas Letter
- Peace Delivers Hope
- Promise Ignites Hope
- Preparation Produces Hope
- Prophesy Reveals Hope
- Alone at Christmas? Feeling lonely?
- Another reason God came to dwell with man.
- How can you have a white Christmas without snow?
- Christmas, abortion and Joseph, the forgotten man of Christmas
- Remember the Wonder of Christmas
- Will you find rest, peace and joy this advent season?
- A Christmas Morning Prayer by Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)
Christmas-themed Videos
- Pause to Find Hope (video)
- Pause to Receive the Promises of God (video)
- Pause to See Jesus (video)
- Pause to Hear God’s Plan (video)
Be Ready Always...
to give a reason for the Hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15). When you can’t share the gospel with your words, share it by leaving tracts that tell people about God's grace.
When leaving a tract, always be diligent to pray about the short gospel message. Pray that it be found by someone who is in need of Jesus’ saving grace, and pray that the person will have a tender heart and open ears to receive the gift Jesus desires to give them.
By the power of the Holy Spirit, even a small tract can help in turning a broken sinner from darkness to light.
SHARE THE GOSPEL!
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Reasons for Hope* Jesus is a non-profit, donor-supported ministry.
PLEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING REASONS FOR HOPE* JESUS.
A donation of any amount is helpful and greatly appreciated.
The Top Ten
from 2018
- JESUS WEPT. Why? And…it’s not the shortest verse in the Bible!
- The GATE OF THE YEAR: A Message to a Troubled Nation
- TWO WOMEN—Two Stories—Two Songs
- “LAUGHTER is the Best Medicine” Who Said That?
- The WIZARD OF OZ and God
- Following the Good, Great, and Chief SHEPHERD
- The best EULOGY to remember a father!
- ISRAEL Celebrates 70 YEARS As A Nation & the Significance for Christians
- HELLO DARKNESS, My Old Friend: The Sounds of Silence
- CHARLIE BROWN THEOLOGY
Our Ministry’s Two Favorite Articles from 2018:
Facing Terminal Cancer with Hope & Joy
When the Battle is Lost but the Victory is Won — Saying Goodbye to a Friend
- The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
- The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
- Is my TATTOOa sin?
- What do the 12 stones UNDER the JORDANRiver mean? (Joshua 4)
- What Does It Mean toTASTE & SEE That God Is Good? (Psalm 34)
- Where did OT Saints go at death?ABRAHAM'S BOSOM? Where was that?
- Why Does the LGBT Use God’s Rainbow For Its Flag?
- Should we call HIS NAME Jesus?Or Yahweh?Or Yeshua?
- Jesus said, I NEVER KNEW YOU. Why?
- CanJEWS go to HEAVENwithout knowing Jesus?
Other Popular Questions:
- Is Satan’s Real Name LUCIFER? Or Should We Call Him Satan?
- If BAPTIZED as an Infant, Do I Need to Be Baptized Again?
- Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
- Why Is PRAYER Important?
- Is There a Hidden Message in Revelation 7?
- What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS?
- Is It a Sin to Drink ALCOHOL?
- What Did Jesus Say About HEAVEN (and HELL)?
- Is SUICIDE an Unforgivable Sin?