A Cultural look at the Birth of Jesus

Luke 2


2:3 And everyone went to his own town to register

During this time there were only about 3 tribes left of Israel, the others had been scattered so much around the world that they no longer really existed together. One of these three tribes was the tribe of David. The decree for everyone to go to city of their ancestors was probably not a very good strategy to take a census. Joseph and Mary were probably more than happy to leave Nazareth and go to Bethlehem since such an odd occurence had taken place with Mary...looking as though she had committed adultery. So, this huge caravan of people were heading to Bethlehem...and this was a problem because if anyone has ever seen Bethlehem they know that its just a little bitty town built on the side of a steep hill. More people were coming to the town to be registered than the town could hold.

2:6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

While they were there...Joseph and Mary had been in Bethlehem for a little while before she gave birth, contrary to the usual story where Mary is almost about to give birth while they are looking for somewhere to stay. She gave birth to her firstborn....this is evidence that Jesus indeed had brothers and sisters. It is said that he was the first of about 6 others. There was no room for them in THE inn. This indicates that there was only one inn in the little town of Bethlehem and because there were so many people coming to the town to be registered for the census, it was of course packed. So, people would stay in the places for the animals, which were usually dug out of the hillside like a little cave. Before someone would stay in a place like this, they would run the animals out...they wouldn't stay with the animals! Mary placed Jesus in a manger...an animal trough, probably after laying down some fresh straw in the trough.

2:8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.

This is probably the most obvious indication that Jesus was not born in December, but rather sometime in the spring. The only time the shepherds would actually live out in the fields were when the lambs were lambing or having their young, which would be in the spring time. If anyone knows anything about lambs giving birth then they will tell you that they need a little help unlike some animals. This is the reason that the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks and living in the fields; to help the lambs give birth if they began to have a great struggle. Another good indication that Jesus was not born in December is the fact that the census was called. Anyone in their right mind would not call a census and have people relocate to the land of their ancestors during the harsh winter. The reason that we celebrate Jesus' birthday in December is the fact that pagans used to also have a celebration during the spring time where they would worship the sun. So, the church decided (not sure exactly when) that they did not want to be associated with this pagan holiday and look like they were doing the same and made the celebration of Jesus' birth to be in December. So there you have it.