Since we find ourselves at a natural pause transitioning topics in the current series of studies presented in this column, I thought we would focus this space for the subsequent two iterations on the seasonal time we are currently in. Just as Paul encouraged Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15 to accurately handle the word of truth, I also strive to be as accurate as possible regarding the contents of God’s Word in all its various details down to the most minute ones. One event recorded in the Bible that has had its details blurred over the years is the birth of the Messiah….’The reason for the season is often expressed this time of year.
Before I get into the Biblical text, which provides us with the actual narrative of the birth of Christ and risks ruining your holiday spirit, let’s explore one other truth from scripture. When addressing the Christians in Rome regarding the observation of ‘holidays,’ he provides this inspired guidance…
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord, he does not observe it. (Romans 14:5-6a)
The primary point Paul puts forth is whether an individual chooses to set aside a particular day of the year as special or not is irrelevant as long as their ultimate intent is to do so, honoring the Lord with complete clarity of mind. As the psalmist expressed in Psalm 118:24, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Regardless of the details presented below, I personally think it is a good thing that during this time of year, people are giving some thought to the Messiah, which can provide excellent opportunities for Christians to engage in deeper conversations with those that might not give much consideration and thought to the Messiah during other portions of the year. During some conversations I have had in the past, starting a discussion about the factual details of Jesus’ birth provided the doorway into more profound, more meaningful discussions about the salvation He was born into the world to bring and ultimately secure with His death…an event we are commanded to commemorate in the regular observance of the Lord’s Supper.
As we turn our attention to the scripture passages informing us about the details of Jesus’ birth, let’s begin by reading through each and note the particulars clarified below each section of the passage. The numbers preceding comments relate to the verses the word is associated with.
Luke 2:1-21
1-3. Historical records inform us that the Roman census that took place during the corresponding time of Caesar Augustus and Quirinius occurred during May, June, and July…not December.
4-7. ‘went up’ ‘while there’ ‘the days were completed’…this language indicates that they were settled in Bethlehem before Mary entering into labor, not starting such just as they arrived at the town in the dead of night (in fact the time of day of arrival is not indicated…birth is, however).
A general lack of knowledge of the architecture of typical homes in that region of the world during this period, as well as many in remote villages even today, provides a false picture of the circumstances of the birth. The English language translations likewise add to this by not painting a clear picture in word choices. There is no historical or archeologic evidence that there was an ‘inn’ in Bethlehem; in fact, the presence of one would be significantly out of place for a small agricultural town in that region. Note that Joseph (not to mention Mary) is a direct descendant of King David and, as such, would not have been turned away at anybody’s doorstep. The word translated ‘inn’ is the loft area shared in the homes of this time where the occupants would sleep…thus with the influx of relatives gathering to be registered by the Romans, the common sleeping area was already full. There was no more room up there. The manger reference here is a section of flooring that could be lifted to reveal a compartment full of hay for the animals commonly brought into the house at night. A little more on this when we get to verse 16.
8-20. Note in verse 8 that the shepherds are out in the countryside and that in verse 11, they must make haste and go into the town…further reinforcing the fact that Joseph, Mary, and the baby are in the town proper and not huddled in a stable on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Verse 12 informs us that before them receiving the divine message, the baby had already been born. Thus they do not witness the birth as is common in some narratives. Verse 16 gives further insight into the manger; some translations are more precise here than others but note that Mary, Joseph, and the baby are all lying in the manger. This was no little trough, but in fact, the flooring section on the ground floor of many homes in rural agricultural communities at this time with a hey pallet stored for animals that were brought in during cold nights. Since Jesus was born during the summer months (see comments on verses 1-3), there was no need to shelter any animals at night.
21. This verse frames an eight-day window for the interactions of the shepherds to occur and for their sharing of their experience with others (verse 18).
Matthew 2:1-18
1. The first verse of this narrative provides three essential details often forgotten in plays, movies, storybooks, etc. when the birth of Christ is retold. Right at the start, it contains a crucial phrase, ‘after Jesus was born.’ The wise men were not present at the birth but showed up sometime later…how later we will see further along in the text. Second, note that nowhere in the text does it ever give a number to the wisemen and simply refers to them in the plural. Thus, there could have been any number of them from two. Lastly, note that the Wisemen did not go directly to Bethlehem but to Jerusalem. They were looking for a newborn king, after all, so they went first to the capital city where the king of the Jews was located.
2-6. The proclamation of the Wisemen troubled Herod, and rightfully so, as a newborn king would challenge his authority and power as the current king of the Jews. The Wisemen were uncertain about the location of the infant king. Once Herod consulted chief priests and scribes, they pointed out that scriptural prophecy indicated that Christ would be born in Bethlehem.
7 and 16. These two verses provide details that indicate when after the birth of Jesus, the Wisemen arrived. In verse seven, we see that Herod ascertained from the wise men when the star marking the birth of the king appeared, thus prompting them to prepare and travel from some nation to the east of Judea to search for this king. Verse sixteen informs us that the time Herod ascertained from the wise men was two years before they arrived in Jerusalem.
8-15. Throughout these verses, we gain additional clarity on time in Jesus’ life when these wise men visited Him. Almost all English translations use the term ‘young child’ about Jesus, not infant or baby. The original language would be most accurately translated as a toddler. This reinforces that these wise men arrived roughly two years after the birth of Jesus and were not present for the birth as is displayed in many manger scenes on countless front yards… also note that they enter into a house, not a barn or stable. The number three for the count of how many wise men comes from a limited perspective of verse eleven, where we see that three categories of gifts were presented, and it is often assumed that they each gave one of them. This would violate the customary presentation of contributions to a king. If each Wiseman were representing their interest, they each would have presented a measure of the three gifts; if the wise men were collective representatives of the same party, then it would have been one special presentation of the gifts from the whole of the party. Either way, we cannot rely on the categories of skills to accurately count the number of wise men who journeyed from the east.
I hope this short exploration of the biblical text surrounding the birth of our Savior has provided clearer insight into the facts regarding the actual narrative of His birth. Remember Romans 14:5-6a and choose to honor Christmas as you see fit. It is truly a blessed time of year, as is anytime that the minds of people give contemplation to our Lord. May God bless you and guard you this holiday season.
(Carl Hartman is the Minister at Main Street Church of Christ in Lockney)
