“Mary gave birth to Jesus, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger." ~ Luke 2:7
The two met monthly for coffee to discuss issues of
importance. They differed in educational and political backgrounds – but their talks
were never argumentative and always respectful.
Each was elevated by the other's
presence; moments to savor the peace that comes from within the arms of
friendship. Greeting each other warmly, they ordered coffee and made small talk
until steaming mugs arrived. They settled comfortably in that way that good
company beckons.
It seemed one steeped in
Christian tradition and known so well. Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem
and were turned away from the village innkeeper. Contemporary nativity sets
depict them taking refuge in a stable, where baby Jesus was born and laid in a
manger.
“I’m sorry to spoil your Christmas
preparations,” David began. “But Jesus wasn’t born in a stable. The New
Testament barely hints that this might’ve been the case.”
“Early church tradition says the
site of the nativity was actually a cave near Bethlehem. The earliest testimony
came from St. Justin Martyr, who wrote around 150 A.D. that the child was born
in a cave near the village.” David added, “This was common knowledge in the
third century, even among non-Christians.”
Joshua listened patiently while
his friend offered sound reasoning before offering his own opinion. “The
Biblical story of Jesus’ birth is found mostly in Luke’s gospel. He neither
quotes nor mentions an inn, a cave, or even a barn, but rather a house!”
Joshua stated, “The Greek word
for Inn, ‘kataluma,’ was a reception room in a private residence. The
same term is used to describe the “upper room” where Jesus and his disciples
ate their Last Supper. In that context,” he continued, “the kataluma was likely
a guest room in the house of the family where Joseph and Mary were staying.”
“Further,” he said, “the actual
design of Palestinian homes would’ve been a single-room house, with a lower
compartment for animals. Either a room at the back or space on the roof was for
visitors. Jesus wouldn’t have been born in a detached stable but on the lower
floor of a peasant house where the animals slept.”
They talked on but as usual, finally
reached common ground. They agreed that Jesus had been laid in an animal
feeding trough after His birth. They also concurred that there was nothing
wrong with our popular imaginings of events in the life of Jesus, as long as
they help us reflect on the essence of these events: that a simple manger
became God’s throne.
Let’s not overlook its
significance because we’re preoccupied with details God didn’t believe were
important enough to preserve.
Lord, we celebrate the Christmas story that
unfolded in a manger in the little town of Bethlehem. We humbly kneel before
Your throne of grace when we understand that the infant child was born so that
He could die for our sins. Amen
