Stable Where Jesus Was Born Picture

Jesus was not born in a stable, says theologian

Christmas nativity scenes across the world depict the birth of Christ, which may be the most famous Bible tale of all: Jesus was born in a stable because there were no rooms available at the inn when his parents went to give birth to him. Christian scholar Rev Ian Paul, on the other hand, has suggested that the entire tale of Jesus’ birth may be based on a misunderstanding of the New Testament, resurrecting an old belief that Jesus was not, in fact, born in a stable. “I apologize for interfering with your Christmas preparations before the Christmas lights have even been turned on,” writes Rev Paul, a theologian and former Dean of Studies at St John’s Theological College in Nottingham, on his personal blog.

For a “Inn” or any other establishment where visitors are welcomed, a completely separate term, pandocheion, is used.

His family was in Bethlehem, and if he did have family there, the norms of first-century Palestine compelled him to remain with them rather than with strangers, which was the sole reason they traveled there for the census.

It’s possible that the place was already crammed with other relatives who had come before them.

There would typically be hollows in the ground filled with straw in the family living space where the animals would feed,” says the author.
This is hardly a novel way of looking at things.
Because of his suffering, he was denounced to the inquisition and admonished by them, albeit he was not really burnt, tortured, or imprisoned as would have happened to other heretics.
“In the Christmas tale, Jesus is not depressed and lonely, lying in a manger far away from us and requiring our sympathy.

If this occurred in a busy family house, the message is still intact. In his opinion, the fact that it took place in an isolated stable “only serves to demonstrate that the decline was from a respected human to a despised human.”

7 Things You Might Not Know About the Birth of Jesus

1.Jesus’ birthday isn’t celebrated on December 25th. Even the year of Jesus’ birth is not specified in the Bible, which is a rare occurrence. It wasn’t until the fourth century that the Church ultimately agreed on the date of December 25 as the official holiday. In 2008, astrologers examining the appearance of the so-called Star of Bethlehem determined that Jesus was born on June 17, which was his birthday. 2.The Star of Bethlehem was a genuine sighting. The “star,” on the other hand, was most likely an astrological conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, according to speculation.

3.It seems likely that Jesus was not born in a barn.

According to some, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the birth of Jesus took place in a “cave-like setting.” Alternatively, others believe Jesus was born on the bottom level of a relative’s home.

The lack of animals from the manger scene is confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI, who writes in his book Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives: “There is no mention of animals in the gospels.” The fact that Mary “put him in a manger,” or feeding trough, leads some to believe that there are animals in the vicinity.

Despite the fact that the Christmas hymn “We Three Kings” might have you to believe differently, the Bible makes no reference of the number of wise men that paid a visit to the infant Jesus.
6.It is possible that the wise men did not meet Jesus when he was a newborn.
When the wise men finally arrived, the Bible records that they paid a visit to Jesus in his family’s home rather than at the location of his birth.
More than a century after the birth of Jesus, St.
By the late Middle Ages, nativity scenes could be found all across Europe, including the United Kingdom.

Celebrating Christ: Where was Jesus born?

1.It is not Jesus’ birthday on December 25th, as some believe. As a matter of fact, the Bible does not even specify the year in which Jesus was born. In fact, it was not until the fourth century that the Church fully agreed on the date of December 25 as the official Christmas holiday. It was on June 17 that astrologers determined that Jesus was born, according to the sighting of the so-called Star of Bethlehem. It was true that the Star of Bethlehem appeared in the sky. Astrologers believe that the “star” in question was most likely a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter.

In all likelihood, Jesus didn’t arrive at the birthplace in a barn.

According to some, including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the birth of Jesus took place in a “cave-like environment.” The bottom level of a relative’s house, according to some, is where Jesus was born.

It is confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI in his book Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives that animals were not present at the nativity scene: “There is no mention of animals in the gospels.” The fact that Mary “put him in a manger,” or feeding trough, leads others to believe that animals were present.

It is true that there were three wise men who came to see Jesus, as the Christmas song “We Three Kings” suggests, but the Bible makes no reference of their number.

6.It is possible that the three wise men did not meet Jesus when he was a newborn.

However, the Bible states that they visited Jesus in his family’s home rather than at the location of his birth when the wise men finally made it there.

7.It wasn’t until 1223 that the first known nativity scene appeared. Francis of Assisi got permission from Pope Honorius III to conduct the first nativity scene more than a century after Jesus’ birth. It was common to see nativity scenes all throughout Europe during the late Middle Ages.

High Renaissance artist Giorgione’s nativity shows Jesus adorned by shepherds in this cave setting.

Tradition has it that the identification of a cave as the location of Jesus’ birth has been commemorated via stories and the written word for almost two thousand years, beginning in the middle of the first century. The writings of Justin Martyr, who lived in the second century (approximately 100-165), oddly enough, also recount how Joseph discovered a cave and took Mary there to give birth to their baby Jesus, who was then placed in a manger by Joseph. Even if we shouldn’t depend on this narrative as reality, we also can’t dismiss it as blatant fabrication.

The Emperor Hadrian, on the other hand, was not happy with the news as it spread.
Essentially, the temple served as a memorial for all Christians, with the expectation that they would be able to pay their respects to Jesus’ birthplace once more in the near future.
When Emperor Justinian built a larger church to replace the original Church of the Nativity in 339 AD, it was called the “First Church of the Nativity.” As a marker of the location of Jesus’ birth, this church has survived intact, though it has been changed and expanded throughout the ages.
If the fourteen-point star beneath the altar on the floor of the Nativity is in fact the real site where Jesus was born, then that is a matter of debate, to say the least.
It is intimately linked to the myth that Jesus was born in a cave, which Christians hold dear.
The reality remains that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, according to the Bible.
His goal, in my judgment, was to emphasize the fact that Jesus was born in a manger in poor circumstances.

Photo credits:All images used here are in the public domain. The header is a nativity scene by Giotto that sees the infant Christ being placed in a manger, underneath a roofed structure set into a rocky outcrop.

Tradition has it that the identification of a cave as the location of Jesus’ birth has been commemorated via stories and the written word for about two thousand years, dating back to the mid-first century. A fascinating account from the second century (approximately 100-165) by Justin Martyr describes how Joseph discovered a cave and took Mary there to give birth to their baby Jesus, who was then placed in a manger. We should not depend on this narrative as reality, but we also should not dismiss it as pure fantasy.

The Emperor Hadrian, on the other hand, was not happy with the news when it spread.
A kind of marker for all Christians, with the hope that one day they would be able to return to the site of Jesus’ birth and pay their respects to him.
This church was dedicated in 339 AD and afterwards replaced with a larger church, which was consecrated in 530 AD under the reign of Emperor Justinian.
A fourteen-point silverstar, which is historically thought to indicate the location of Jesus’ birth, can be found beneath the altar in the Grotto of the Nativity today, which is a fascinating find!
Yet, for millions of Christians, it is a powerful symbol of hope and faith.
If we take a ‘half glass full’ approach to this, there is no compelling reason to dismiss it completely.

No matter how you look at it, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, according to the Bible. Since Luke doesn’t specify where this occurred, we may assume that it was unrelated. His goal, in my judgment, was to emphasize the fact that Jesus was born in a manger amid lowly surroundings.

To Commemorate Jesus’ Birth

(Photo courtesy of Dimos|Shutterstock.) The Church of the Nativity, a Byzantine basilica located in the holy city of Bethlehem, was constructed on top of the cave where, according to a story that dates back to the second century, Jesus was born. The basilica is claimed to have been built by Helena, the mother of Christian Emperor Constantine, to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. The Church’s main entrance is seen in this photograph.

Nativity Church

The photo is courtesy of Dimos|Shutterstock. Church of the Nativity, a Byzantine basilica in the holy city of Bethlehem, was erected on top of the cave where, according to a story that dates back to the second century, Jesus was born, according to the Gospel of Matthew. The basilica is claimed to have been built by Helena, the mother of Christian Emperor Constantine, to honor the birth of Jesus. The Church’s main entrance is seen in this image.

Church Patio

(Image courtesy of Dimos|Shutterstock.com) The Church of the Nativity, a Byzantine basilica in the holy city of Bethlehem, was erected on top of the cave where, according to a story that dates back to the second century, Jesus was born. Helena, the mother of Christian Emperor Constantine, is supposed to have wanted the basilica to serve as a memorial to the birth of Jesus, according to legend. The Church’s main entrance is depicted here.

Emperor Constantine

(Image courtesy of Dimos|Shutterstock.) The Church of the Nativity, a Byzantine basilica located in the holy city of Bethlehem, was erected on top of the cave where, according to a story that dates back to the second century, Jesus was born. Helena, the mother of Christian Emperor Constantine, is supposed to have wanted the basilica to serve as a memorial to Jesus’ birth. The entryway of the Church is depicted here.

Star Marks the Spot

Grotto Entrance

The image is courtesy of Zvonimir Atletic|Shutterstock. There are now two entrances to the Grotto of the Nativity, one of which is pictured here. There was only one entrance to the grotto when it was first built, in the fourth century, and it was from the main body of the cathedral.

Milk Grotto

Zunimir Atletic of Shutterstock provided the image. The Grotto of the Nativity today has two entrances, one of which is seen here. The other is not. There was only one entrance to the grotto when it was first built, in the fourth century, and it was from the main body of the building.

Where was Jesus Born?

Is there anything that springs to mind when you think about the birth of Jesus Christ? What city was the site of Jesus’ birth? A cave that has been transformed into a stable? Is it a manger, with Mary and Joseph gazing lovingly at the infant Jesus? Or perhaps you get visions of farm animals staring at the newborn baby?

Some information about Jesus’ birth is provided in the Bible; but, there are many aspects that are unknown to us, such as the precise place of His birth. Please allow me to introduce you to a few probable places for the birth of Christ that I believe you will find both intriguing and informative.

Guest Room

Animal pens were included in the design of dwellings in the first century so that the “guest room” might include the animal enclosures. Because of the census or a holiday, it is possible that Joseph was granted the use of a family’s guest room because the town was overcrowded. Given that Joseph’s family is from Bethlehem, it’s possible that it was a member of the family.

Cave

A cave is another alternative that early church historians, such as Origen and Eusebius, consider as a possible location. During the first century, a dwelling was constructed on top of the cave, and the cave served as a home for the family’s animals. If you travel to Bethlehem today, you will see the Church of the Nativity, which was constructed over a cave.

Tower of the Flock

I have discovered a third alternative, which is Migdal Eder, which is a likely place for Jesus’ birth, according to my study. It is a few kilometers south of Jerusalem on the route to Bethlehem that you can find the village of Migdal Ed e r. Although the Bible definitely claims that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Bethlehem at the time of Jesus was far larger and more dispersed than the city of Bethlehem today. Today, the distance between Jerusalem and Bethlehem is only six kilometres. Migdal Eder is a Gaelic phrase that meaning “tower of the flock.” Perhaps you’re wondering, “What flock?” The herd that provided the lambs for sacrifice in the Temple at Jerusalem is the solution.

The lambs slaughtered had to be free of blemishes, which is why an unique flock of sheep was reared by special shepherds.

The Lamb of God was born amid the lambs that would one day be sacrificed, and hence became known as the Lamb of God.

The Shepherds

It’s also worth noting that the angel instructed the shepherds to travel to Bethlehem, where they would find the Messiah. The shepherds did not need to inquire as to where they would discover the Child in Bethlehem because they were well aware of lambs being born and nurtured in Bethlehem (Luke 2:11). It was revealed by the angels that He would be laid in a manger and wrapped in swaddling cloths when the time came for His birth (Luke 2:12). During this time of year, we discuss about the place where Jesus was born and the events that transpired before to our Savior’s first appearance on earth.

It serves as a constant reminder to us that Jesus, the flawless Lamb of God, came to earth to be the ultimate sacrifice for our transgressions.

So, while you reflect on the lowly beginnings of our Savior’s life, keep in mind that when He comes, He will do so as King of the universe! God bless you as you investigate His first arrival and anticipate His second coming! Merry Christmas to you! Dianna

Not in that poor lowly stable

Consider the story of Jesus’ birth. Bethlehem town is completely still in the dim light of the moon, completely unconscious that the son of God has been born in one of its squalid and desolate outbuildings. A draughty stable can be found on an unassuming backstreet, hidden away and out of sight from the rest of the world. A family is sitting calmly inside, keeping warm with the heat of the animals. A donkey, a cow, and an ox rest peacefully at the side of the picture, which is illuminated by a pleasant glow.

Mary, Joseph, and a lamb are all kneeling near to the kid, offering quiet homage to him.
Thank you for understanding that Jesus was not born in a stable, and it is interesting to note that the New Testament makes no mention of this possibility.
That we interpret Scripture through the prism of our own preconceptions, society, and traditions is a good example of how difficult it may be to read well-known scriptures carefully and attentively, paying attention to what they truly say.
Specifically, the notion that Jesus was lonely and depressed, put out among the animals and ignored at his birth, obscures the fact that Jesus and his birth are a highly disruptive force, breaking in on the middle of everyday life and presenting the prospect of its change.
I would attribute the source to three factors: customary elaboration; grammatical and semantic difficulties; and a lack of acquaintance with first-century Palestinian cultural practices.
“The ox knows its master, and the donkey knows its owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, and my people do not comprehend,” says the prophet.
We’ll get to the reason why this isn’t always the case later.

The translation of the Greek wordkatalumain in Luke 2:7 raises questions of syntax and meaning, and it is possible that this is the crux of the problem.

The word’s etymology may be found in a variety of places.

However, its application in other contexts has provided some rather conclusive evidence in the other direction.

This appears to be a reception room in a private residence.

Historical and social context are important considerations.

The fact that Joseph was welcomed by family members upon his return to his ancestral home, even if they were not close relatives, would have been unimaginable in the first instance.

Furthermore, even if he did not have relatives or acquaintances in the village, as a member of the famed house of David, and for the’sake of David,’ he would be welcomed into practically any village home because of his status as a member of the famous house of David” (Bible and Spade, vol.

4, Fall 2007).

Most households, according to Bailey’s book,Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes (SPCK, 2008), would live in a single-room house with a basement compartment for animals to be brought in at night and either a room at the back for visitors or space on the roof for storage.

Typical village home in Palestine, seen in this photograph with a main room where the family would have resided, is depicted in this image.

There are a few of instances in the gospels where this type of one-room dwelling with animals inside the home at night is shown.

As well, Jesus makes the following observation in Luke’s account of Jesus curing a woman on the Sabbath (Luke 13:10–17): “Doesn’t everyone of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the manger and lead them out to give them water?” It’s interesting to note that none of Jesus’ detractors react with “No, I don’t handle animals on the Sabbath,” presumably because they would have had to remove their animals from the premises.

What does it mean, therefore, for thekatalumato to have “no room” on the planet?
Consequently, Joseph and Mary must remain in the home with the family, in the main room of the house, where Mary gives birth.
Although grammatically and culturally dubious, the notion that they were in an isolated stable, away from others, alone and outcast does not hold up.
Bailey quotes an early researcher who says, amusingly, “Anyone who has been with Palestinian peasants knows that, despite their friendliness, the lack of privacy is unbearably uncomfortable.” Every day and night, one cannot be alone since there is no such thing as a private room.
What is causing the stable to become stuck?
This well-informed and convincing view of the tale has been around for a very long time, even in Western study, and is not new.
I believe there are two primary reasons behind this.

What kind of facilities do you have for keeping animals?

So, despite the fact that many people who live in rural areas have a different experience, that is where Jesus must have been.

We Proclaim the Word of Life author Dick France examines this topic, as well as other issues of preaching on the infancy narratives, in his chapter “We Proclaim the Word of Life” (IVP, 2013).

So, is it worthwhile to question people’s preconceptions?

“The trouble with the stable is that it separates Jesus from the rest of us,” France says.

The message of the incarnation, on the other hand, is that Jesus is one of us.

Jesus was not born in a stable, as is commonly believed, and the central message of the Christmas story is muted. Instead, he finds himself at the heart of human existence. He can’t be romanticized, ignored, or put away with the Christmas decorations in January like he can in other places.

Was Jesus Born in a Stable?

Except for the events surrounding his death and resurrection, there is arguably no other tale from Jesus’ life that is as well known and widely conceived as the account of his birth in a Bethlehem barn. In spite of the fact that we have two New Testament gospel narratives of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth, the version of events given in the Gospel of Luke has unquestionably had a key part in the development of Christian representations of the Nativity. Luke chapter 2 (King James Version) says the following: And Joseph, together with Mary, his espoused wife, traveled up from Galilee to the City of David, which is known as Bethlehem, to be taxed by the Romans.

In the meantime, she gave birth to her firstborn son, wrapped him in swaddling cloths, and put him in a manger because there was no space for them at the inn where they were staying.
Although Luke’s account contains the vast majority of the commonly-known details of Jesus’s birth, we rely on the Gospel of Matthew to provide additional details.
This picture is repeated in everything from magnificent works of art by Renaissance artists to current Christmas songs and nativity scenes, and it is reinforced in everything.
Some would even put in a young drummer boy in the background for good measure.

In the past, I’ve written about the various discrepancies between the birth accounts recorded in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, including how we tend to combine images from these two otherwise disparate accounts of the same event to effectively create a third account that does not actually exist, so I won’t go into that again here.

To begin with, it may come as a surprise to many readers to learn that no writer in the New Testament ever ever mentions anything about a stable in any of his or her writings.
Some individuals may find this to be somewhat alarming in its implications.
A very brief survey of the Internet demonstrates the widespread nature of Christian belief in the existence of a heavenly stable.
The only place they were able to find was a stable full of camels, donkeys, and lambs.” Evidently, the creators of this website are unaware that camels are not indigenous to Palestine and are also considered ritually unclean.
Another article, this one from the website, puts it this way: “Mary gave birth to Jesus while she was in Bethlehem.
It doesn’t take a New Testament scholar to figure out how the image of the stable came to be associated with the Christian faith.
After all, a manger is nothing more than a feeding trough.
After all is said and done, the answer to that question is “No.” There are two reasons why Luke’s account cannot be interpreted as implying that Jesus was born in a manger.
Findings from archeological excavations in modern Israel have demonstrated that in ancient Jewish cities, feeding troughs (also known as mangers) consisted of stone basins that were placed essentially along the curb in front of ancient buildings.
The courtyard of a house, where a manger would be placed, would typically be the home of a donkey or other grazing animal if a resident of an ancient Jewish city owned one.

The teachings of Jesus on working on the Sabbath are found in Chapter 13, where he says, “Does not each of you on the Sabbath take his ox or his donkey out of the manger and lead it away to give it water?” It was necessary to chain the animals to a feeding trough, which could be found on city streets or in residential courtyards.

Simply put, when Luke tells us that Jesus was placed “in a manger” because there was no room inside the inn, he is implying that Jesus was born either on the sidewalk in front of the inn, or, more likely, in the courtyard attached to the inn, according to the Gospel of Luke.
However, the word “inn” in this passage is probably better translated as “guestroom,” implying that Joseph and Mary were not attempting to obtain lodging at an inn at all, but rather were attempting to obtain lodging inside a relative’s home.
Throughout the year, the climate in Israel is pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from the low 40’s in winter to the mid 80’s in summer.
There was simply no need for stables – or barns – to house cattle because of the climate.

This stable, on the other hand, was constructed of stone (as opposed to the traditional Nativity image of a wooden stable resembling something found in 16th century Europe), and some archaeologists believe that it was actually a warehouse or storage building of some sort rather than a stable at all.

Neither stables nor other enclosed structures were used to keep them safe from the elements.

Cattle and beasts of burden, such as donkeys, cows, oxen, sheep, and so on, would have been accustomed to living outside.

The New Testament does not tell us that Jesus was born in a stable, and archaeology and history demonstrate that there is no reason to believe that Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth is based on an implied stable.

), placed in a feeding trough because there was no place for him to sleep, and wrapped in soft blankets to protect him from the cold night air and the stone interior of the manger.

Jesus Wasn’t Born the Way You Think He Was

When we got to Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity, it was around the halfway point of our trip to Israel. We actually stayed at a hotel on Manger Square for three nights, which allowed us to spend a bit more time in this small town than the ordinary visitor would have. I believe that the Church of the Nativity in Jerusalem was my favorite of all the holy places we saw during our time in Israel. First and foremost, our guide was outstanding. Second, I gained a better understanding of the birth of Jesus from a historical and cultural viewpoint than I had previously.

I didn’t discover anything that caused me to question my religion, but I did learn things that enhanced my faith and helped me to connect dots that I didn’t even realize needed to be linked before.
When they got in Bethlehem, they discovered that the Inn was completely filled and that there was no place for them.
Babies Jesus and Joseph were wrapped in swaddling cloths and put in a manger by Mary.
Right?
The tale isn’t quite correct in the sense that we understand it.
Other mistakes can be attributed to a modern/western separation from the historical and cultural contexts in question.
The birth of Jesus did not take place in December.

This was something I’d heard before.

What evidence do we have that Jesus did not arrive on this earth in December?

December is not a very pleasant month in Israel.

An official census would have been extremely improbable to occur in December.

We also know from Luke 2 that the shepherds were out in the fields tending to their flocks at the time of Jesus’ birth, as they were when he was born.

In December, it was far too chilly to be out in the fields.

Many biblical scholars can conduct some simple arithmetic to determine that Jesus was born in the middle or late September.

We know that six months later, Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel, who informed her of the news of her impending pregnancy.

Joseph and Mary would never have remained at an inn if they had the option.

Possibly, he had family in Bethlehem, which was a possibility.

In the unlikely event that he had never met his family, he would just need to discuss his family’s genealogy with a few individuals in town to be guided to his family’s residence.

The word “Inn” gives us the wrong impression.

However, the word “kataluma” may also be translated as “private upper room,” which is a different meaning.

This was often a private space that was intended for guests or for entertainment purposes only.

Jesus was not born in a barn, as is often believed.

Before you can make an impact, you must first comprehend a few concepts.

Either gold or lambs.

Most dwellings had only one room, and the sheep were kept in the lowest and most remote area of the house, which was the lowest and furthest back.

A few hundred yards away, among the flocks of sheep, is where Mary and Joseph remained during their visit.

They were not alone; they were surrounded by relatives.

The Church of the Nativity was constructed on top of this residence.

Even if the location isn’t exactly right, the fact that it was designated as a holy place within 100 years of Christ’s birth makes it quite probable that this was the real site of Christ’s birth.

In addition to the top area for partying, there was a basement portion where the sheep would have been housed and tended to.

I really like the concept that Joseph and Mary weren’t alone on that night in the stable.

It will be different from previous years when Christmas comes around this year, since I will have a new vision of the moment of his birth. When I think of him, I think of standing in the cave where he first appeared in this world. What an incredible experience it was to be at that location.

What’s Wrong with this Picture?

Every year, there is a nativity scene on display. When I was younger, I used to see it at retail malls, but it appears to be increasingly dominated by Santa these days. However, you are familiar with the situation: The focal point is Jesus, who is cradled in Mary’s arms. As the animals in the stable congregate towards the family, Joseph is keeping a watchful eye over her shoulder. What exactly is wrong with this photograph? There is no such thing as a stable. Return to the narratives of Luke and Matthew and seek for the term “steady” in each of the accounts.

For the simple reason that Jesus was not born in a barn.

As a result, she wrapped him up and laid him in a manger, as there was no room for them at the inn.” (Luke 2:7 New International Version) The belief is that when Jesus is put in the manger, the manger is in the stable, just as it is and was in European farms throughout the time of Jesus’ birth.

There was a connecting portion between the lower and upper levels of the home where food leftovers were left for the animals to consume in a “manger.” In truth, the animals were kept in a separate portion of the estate, rather than on the grounds themselves.

Measured in terms of life span In the first century, a typical Middle Eastern house was reconstructed.

What about the inn?

That is, in fact, an error in translation. Sorry to all of the children who took part in the nativity play as “innkeepers,” but the term “inn” (kataluma) is the same word as “upper chamber” in the Greek language (Luke 22:11). Because it was vital to be hospitable, it was the site where families would invite their friends and relatives over. In the Middle East, hospitality was seen as extremely essential. It was not outsourced to a commercial entity, such as a hotel or an inn, for example. In light of the census, it is reasonable to believe that the relatives’ home where Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were living was overcrowded and as a result Mary, Joseph, and Jesus were confined to a lower, more lowly area of the house.

Why does this matter?

Because I’m a grumpy old guy who wants to ruin the magic of Christmas for everyone? No. Is it my intention to recommend that we demolish all of the nativity scenes that we see at shipping centers because they are inaccurate? No. Does it lessen the humbling nature of Jesus’ conception? No. But the problem with Christmas is that it commemorates a historical event, but the details are being increasingly obscured by legend. We strive to be as historically accurate as we possibly can (and learn to read our Bibles more carefully).