THE BIRTH OF JESUS

Birth of Christ, Immanuel Highlands Church, 1992.

The donkey kneeling at the manger is my oldest daughter.

(Bethlehem Autumn of B.C. 5)

Luke 2:1-7 and John 1:14a

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus [63 B.C – 14 A.D.] that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius [Quirinius, circa 51 B.C. – 21 A.D.] was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city..

The word translated in Scripture as “governor” was  “hegemon”, which means “ruling officer or procurator”. Cyrenius (aka Quirinius) did not become actual governor {legatus – different word} until later, but there is no reason to dispute Luke calling him a ruling officer at this time. There were many censuses taken during this period of time, any number of which could have been this one. [Refer to “A Problem with Dates.]

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David [See the earlier genealogy given in Luke 3]) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Given the status of women at the time, questions are raised why Mary would have gone with him. I think it is silly speculation to think she wouldn’t, but here are possible reasons. God’s directing them that she should go seems a reasonable explanation. Also, given the nature of Mary’s pregnancy and the suspicions this probably aroused, Joseph could have taken her for her own protection. Saying she couldn’t have gone or made the trip while being pregnant are just spurious arguments of disbelieving critics. There were pregnant woman who indulged in amazing physical activity or endured extreme hardship and delivered their baby with no harm. There have also been claims a woman in her condition couldn’t have ridden a donkey that distance. It doesn’t say in Scripture she rode a donkey; this is only a tradition. Perhaps she did ride a donkey; perhaps she walked or perhaps she rode in a cart, we really don’t know.

It is about 80 miles between Nazareth and Bethlehem. We are not told how long they travelled. We have many images in our head from song and film and story about Jesus birth and often assume certain ideas based on them that are not included in Scripture. We have this idea that Joseph and Mary made a quick trip to Bethlehem at the last minute, but we don’t really know how long they traveled. A journey of 80 miles by people used to travelling distances by foot could be done in less than three days, although most might pace themself and take 3 to 5 days.  Who knows, Joseph and Mary could have taken a week or more to make the trip allowing her plenty of rest on the journey.

We also commonly see in depictions of the Nativity the couple arriving in town at the very moment of delivery with Joseph frantically pleading for a place for the birth.  We think Jesus was born the day they arrived, but it doesn’t say that at all. It says simply, “while they were there”. This could have been within the hour to a couple of weeks for all we know. The rest of the statement, “the days were accomplished that she should be delivered” could indicate some passage of time.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Joseph and Mary have at times been portrayed as if they were among the very poorest. I think the Biblical record disputes that. Instead, they were probably lower middle class by that day’s standards. Joseph had a trade; he was a carpenter. They had a home and probably some means. Jesus was not born in a manger because Joseph and Mary were too poor to afford better. Many people were on the road traveling because of the census and Luke tells us clearly, the inn was full. The circumstances of the moment dictated the fulfillment of prophecy and Jesus was born in a lowly stall.

The word ‘Inn’ conjures something different to the modern mind than what is may be referring to here.  The Greek word (kataluma) used in this passage can mean inn, but also lodging room or dining place. This probably indicates there was no hotel/motel complex in this tiny village of Bethlehem, but that people let rooms in their homes. In Luke 10 we have the Greek (pandacheion) translated as inn. This word means an inn as a public house for the reception of strangers, which is a business for the traveler and tourist.