Church bulletin:
‘Tis the season to be jolly. ‘Tis also the time to make sure we have our facts straight. Not all of the imagery and information surrounding the nativity is grounded in scripture. Far from wanting to be the Christmas grinch or Ebenezer Scrooge, we do need to see the narrative for what it is, not what has become folklore.
Six popular Christmas porkies –
December 25 is Jesus’ birthday. Western Christians have traditionally celebrated Christ’s birth on December 25, while in the east it is January 6. Scholars generally agree that neither is correct. March, April, September and October have their supporters, September seemingly the most popular (from what I can tell). The fact is no one knows for sure. If God wanted us to know He would have provided specific information. Clearly, it is not that important. What is important is the reality of the incarnation.
There were three wise men. Nowhere are we told that the wise men (magi) numbered three. The number three originated from the gifts they brought with them – gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matt 2:11). While “magi” is plural, there could have been two, three, or ten of them bearing gifts, we simply don’t know.
The wise men were kings. They are never referred to as kings, popularized in the hymn “we three kings of orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star.” Magi, not an easy word to translate could mean – wise men, scientists, even magicians. On the basis of Matt 2:2 some suggest they could have been astronomers “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
The shepherds were guided by a star. There is no evidence of a bright star when Christ was born and no evidence the shepherds were guided by one. Angels announced to the shepherds that the Saviour had been born in the city of David, and off they went to find Him (Luke 2:8-16). A star guided the wise men at a later time, not the shepherds when He was born.
Christ was born in a stable. The word translated as manger refers to a vessel used to feed animals. This has led to the notion that Christ was born in a stable and placed in an animal trough. The “inn” where there was no room was most likely a regular house, possibly belonging to the family of Joseph in Bethlehem. Because there was no room in the house, Joseph and Mary went to the guests or servants’ quarters on the bottom floor. Adjacent to this would have been an animal holding from which the tough was taken for the baby Jesus (no doubt after a thorough washing). Contrary to popular nativity scenes, animals are not recorded as being present. I can still remember being dressed as a donkey for the grade 2 nativity play!
The wise men visited on (or around) the night of His birth. After Christ was born, Herod became alarmed when the magi arrived in Jerusalem looking for the king of the Jews. When Herod could not locate Him, he ordered the murder of all male children under the age of two (Matt 2:1-12). If the wise men arrived around the time of Jesus’ birth, why would he not have ordered the death of new-born babies? Most likely, by the time they were searching for the whereabouts of Christ, He was toddler close to the age of two.
Numerous myths surround the birth of Jesus Christ, while not overly dangerous they are exactly that, myths. Of this we can be sure, flesh was added to deity in the womb of Mary. He was born in order to bring salvation to the world. It is something to celebrate not just once in the year, but every Lord’s Day, indeed every single day of the week.