At the Stable – A Chistmas story
We have all seen nativity scenes similar to this one, and the odds are that you have something like it in your home. A depiction of the Christmas story. There will be angels, animals, shepherds, magi and Mary, Joseph and Jesus, all set in some form of a stable.
It is a cute, sentimental picture of the advent story. The problem, of course, is that while sentimental, much of it is inaccurate or depicts things the Bible is silent on. The real Christmas story is different.
Jesus was laid in a manger, but there is no mention of a stable in the text. Archaeologists suggest that the trough was likely in the home’s front room, where the family animals were kept safe at night. Perhaps it was a cave or stable; we don’t know.
This scene doesn’t show animals, but many such sets include cattle, donkeys and the magi’s camels as being present. Similarly, while the animals add a sentimental touch to the scene, the Bible doesn’t mention animals being present. Again, perhaps there were, but we don’t know.
The shepherds have brought their sheep; while it is possible, it is unlikely. The shepherds most probably kept the sheep back in the sheepfolds.
The magi were not present at the birth but showed up at Joseph and Mary’s home when Jesus was already weaned, perhaps two to three years old. Most nativity sets include three magi, but the text doesn’t have a number. Various church traditions suggest anywhere from three to more than twenty and even offer names. The western church sets the number as three to correspond to the number of gifts; the eastern church traditionally sets the number as twelve. All we know for sure is that there were magi plural, not singular magus.
Our nativity scenes play a little fast and loose with the text. They attempt to show a couple of years in a single moment. There have been lots of artistic licence taken.
There is nothing inherently wrong with a little artistic licence or some enhancements of the story, provided we turn to biblical texts to understand the depicted events.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town.And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
Luke 2:1-20
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.'” Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way. Matthew 2:-12
The powerful truth of the nativity story is that Jesus humbled Himself and came to earth and was born of a virgin. He came to redeem the lost who could not save themselves.
As we celebrate the Christmas story, praise Jesus’ name for His great love for us.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2022 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
From Gleanings From The Word (Kevin Corbin, 2001– ), a Scripture-based devotional work.
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