Rethinking the Nativity Scene [updated]

Nativity Scenes are a staple of this time of the year.  Churches all around the world erect statues of the three wise men, shepherds, and animals surrounding the holy family in a starlit barn.

But sometimes these scenes can lead to needless confusion.  So today I want to ask a few questions, take a fresh look at the text, and re-think what we think we know about the Nativity.

Three Magi?

Let's start with the magi.  How many were there at the birth of Jesus?  We typically imagine three wise men.  However, the text states:

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East, and have come to worship him.' [...] Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” - Matthew 2:1, 11

Does it say there were three?  Nope.  It says there were three gifts.  As to the number of magi, the text only states there was more than one.  And when you consider that they were likely traveling in caravan, chances are we're dealing with a company of people.

Magi Following a Star?

How did the Magi find their way to Jesus' crib?  They followed a star, right?  After all, that's what the song says:

"We three kings of orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain, following yonder star."

Alright, but does the text actually say they followed a star?

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.' 

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea' 

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. 

And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." - Matthew 2:1-12

Let's recap:  They set out for Jerusalem because they saw the star.  But it never says they followed the star there.  Rather, they went to Jerusalem because that's the most obvious place to look for a Jewish king.

Did the star lead them to Bethlehem?  Also nope.  The priests and scribes told them to go there.  

So where does the star come in?  They saw it come up over Bethlehem as they approached and the town and it sat above the spot where Jesus was.  That's it.

Magi at Jesus' Birth?

Nativity scenes would lead us to believe the Magi were there on the night of Jesus' birth.  However, there is a clue in Matthew’s Gospel which points to the Magi coming much later on.  It says when Herod began hunting the infant Christ, he looked for children matching Jesus’ projected age:

"Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, was in a furious rage, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the wise men." - Matthew 2:16

Even if Herod was padding the time period a little, it is still reasonable to conclude that Jesus was already a year old when the magi arrived.

So how many Magi were at the nativity?  None.

No Room at the Inn?

How many sermons have you heard about the Holy Family being turned away at an inn? (and will YOU turn Jesus away?  Will there be room in your heart?)

This part of the story always struck me as odd.  If Bethlehem is Joseph's hometown, why was he bothering with an inn?  Why wasn't he trying to procure lodging with his family?

The answer is found in an alternate translation of Luke 2:7.  It typically reads:

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn."

However, the Greek word we typically translate as "inn" can also be translated as "guest-room".  Therefore, we can render Luke 2:7 as:

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the guest room."

So imagine this:  Joseph arrives at his family's house, but found it clogged with relatives.  The only place with enough standing room for Mary to give birth would have been in one of two locations.

If Joseph's kin had a smaller house, it would have been outside where the animals were kept.

If the house was big enough - the kind big enough to have a guest room in the first place - it would have been on the first floor.

In other words, there was no inn and no barn.  The real nativity would have taken place at the residence of Joseph's family.