Three very common methods by which most people gather and retain information: the telling and retelling of childhood stories, the practice of traditions, and music. So powerful are these tools of learning retention that when the truth is presented in contrast to any questionable content, comfort with the status quo largely overrides change toward accuracy.
However, the purpose of this study is not to stir animosity, rather to stimulate a search for the truth, to cast a reminder that all things must be measured against the standard of the Scriptures, and to delight in the details which are woven together to display the story of Jesus’ birth. ~ae
Mary and Elizabeth were cousins.
In Luke 1:36, the angel informs Mary, “even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age…” Elizabeth was older than Mary, and may have been an aunt, a cousin, or a distant relative. Luke 1:5 identifies Elizabeth as from the daughters of Aaron, and her husband was a priest of the division of Abijah.
Mary rode on a donkey to Bethlehem.
She may have ridden on a donkey, but no donkey is mentioned in the gospels of Matthew or Luke. To travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2;4,5) would have taken them at least three days.
Jesus was born in a stable.
In Luke 2:7, we are told that Mary “laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” The shepherds are instructed by the angel that they “will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (vs. 12), where they found Him just as the angel had said (vs. 16).
The manger, a feeding trough for animals, may indicate a stable, a barnyard, a feeding area, or a cave.
“The little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.”
Phil. 2:7 states that “although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself… being made into the likeness of men, being found in appearance as a man…” Without ceasing to be God, Jesus became fully human.
When humans are born, they cry, not as a form of rebellion or sin, but because it is biologically natural. When infants cry at birth, their lungs are cleared of any remaining amniotic fluid or excess mucous.
As an adult, Jesus wept (Luke 19:41 & John 11:35), was hungry (Matt. 4:2), was tired (Luke 8:23), and was tempted (Luke 4:1-13), yet none of these needs characteristic to humanity caused Him to sin.
“Silent night… all is calm…”
Luke 2:8 reports that the shepherds were greeted by the angel while they were “staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.” They went “straight to Bethlehem”(vs. 15) and “came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph and the baby as He lay in the manger,” (vs. 16) unless they were pretty far away from town, it was probably still night time.
As a result of the census, Bethlehem was very likely more crowded than usual, suggested by the fact that there was no room in the inn, and that the royal decree commanded that everyone must register in their city or town of origin.
The large event in town coupled with the proximity to large animals feeding at the troughs, or mangers, offers hints that Jesus’ birthplace was not silent. Yet His identity as the Prince of Peace established a “heavenly peace” in the midst of the commotion.
“They (shepherds) looked up and saw a star…”
The “sign” (Luke 2:12) the shepherds were given was as follows: “You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” After the “glory of the Lord shone around them” (vs. 9), and after the host of angels went away (vs. 15), they hurried and “found their way” (vs. 16) to Jesus in the manger. There is no indication that the shepherds took notice of a star or followed a star.
The sign for the magi to follow, months later, would be the star. (Matt. 2:2)
The magi came to see Jesus while He was in the manger.
Matt. 2:9 says that the star went before them and stood over the “place where the Child was”. They came “into the house”(vs. 11) and saw the Child with Mary, His mother. Some Biblical study notes specify that the magi arrived several months after Jesus’ birth.
“From angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold.”
In the series of events before and after Jesus’ birth, an angel spoke to Zacharias (Luke 1:11-20), to Joseph (Matt. 1:20,21 and 2:20), to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), to the shepherds (Luke 2:9-12), to the magi in a dream (Matt. 2:12), and a host of angels appeared to the shepherds (Luke 2:13,14). There is no record of harps being played.
John’s visions recorded in Rev. 5:8 and 15:2 indicate harps will be played by angels and elders, but these references are not in conjunction with the accounts of Jesus’ birth.
“Hark! the Herald Angels Sing”
An angel appeared to several people (see above “harps of gold”), and the host of angels appeared to the shepherds “praising God and saying…” (Luke 2:13,14). There is no indication of angels singing… only speaking.
“We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we travel afar.”
The magi were wealthy, knowledgeable gentiles from the east, but they were not kings. The three specific gifts (Matt. 2:11) are gold, frankincense, and myrrh, but there is no mention as to the number of magi.
~ae
“Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
I have sworn and I will confirm it,
that I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.”
~Psalm 119:105,106,111
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