Christmas ranks among history’s greatest days alongside creation, crucifixion, resurrection, and the last day.

Unfortunately, scripture doesn’t tell us much, so church traditions, family traditions, and children’s Christmas programs have filled gaps with details we don’t actually know.

For example, when we think of Jesus’ nativity, we picture Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem on a donkey, BUT no donkey is mentioned in scripture.

We imagine the baby born in a rush that very night, but that’s not what scripture teaches.

Here’s what we do know: Joseph and Mary, betrothed but not yet married, traveled roughly 60 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem for a census and taxation.

How long were they there? We don’t know, but government tax seasons didn’t move quickly.

Luke 2 says there was no room in the “kataluma,” which is translated as “inn” but likely means something like “guest room.”

Luke uses this word only once elsewhere, which is translated as the “upper room” in chapter 22.

Back then, typical family homes had sunken areas on the main floor where animals stayed at night for warmth and security.

Jesus may have been born in a house where there was no guest room space due to the crowded town.

Jesus received visitors. Shepherds came that very night as angels instructed.

But the magi, who were not “wise men” or “three kings” were likely Zoroastrian priests whose job involved learning everything, including Jewish prophecy about a coming savior.

They traveled from “the east” which could be anywhere from a couple hundred to 2,500 miles away.

Later, Jesus’ family fled to Egypt to escape Herod, who wanted to kill Jesus to preserve his power.

Much remains unknown, but we know this: Jesus was born to Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, just as Micah 5 prophesied.

Our savior came, and the shepherds glorified God for this wonderful gift.

Steve Andrews Jr is pastor of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Lee’s Summit, MO.

#higherthings #lcms #lutheran #jesus

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