Common Misconceptions of The Christmas Story

Almost every year, my family reads the Christmas story together. Over the years, I’ve probably read the story dozens (maybe hundreds) of times. If you’re like me, you could probably quote it from memory. Between Christmas church events and sermons, children’s books, and more, you’ve got it down pat, right? Maybe not. You may be surprised how many things we have wrong about the Christmas story!

Misconception #1: Three Wise Men?

Everyone knows there were three Wise Men, right? At least that is what all the Christmas Nativity scenes depict. Except, the Bible never says there were three! The only thing we know for sure is that there were more than one since the Bible uses the plural “them” to describe the Magi’s movements. There could have been dozens of Wise Men for all we know! The idea that there were three is likely taken from the three gifts they brought: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Furthermore, the Wise Men didn’t arrive in Bethlehem for probably at least a year after Jesus’ birth, as evidenced by Herod ordering the murder of all boys two and under after ascertaining from the Wise Men when they saw the star appear signaling Jesus’ birth. So the Christmas Nativity Scenes that show the three Wise Men standing near Jesus as a newborn in a manager are not biblical. The Bible tells us the Wise Men saw Jesus in a house with His mother when he was a child (probably 1-2 years old at the time), not at the manager when He was born. (Matthew 2:1-12).

Misconception #2: Born in a Barn?

Pretty much every Christmas Nativity scene you see shows Mary (looking miraculously fresh-faced after just giving birth without anesthesia), Joseph, and a cherubic Baby Jesus huddled together in a wooden barn. More than likely, this is not what the setting of Jesus’ birth looked like. In fact, the Bible doesn’t mention she gave birth in a stable at all! All the biblical account of Jesus’ birth says is Mary lay him in a manger (or feeding trough) because there was no room in the inn.

Scholars believe there are two likely settings for Jesus’ birth. First, is a cave where animals were kept to shield them from the elements and predators. Archaeologists have uncovered many such caves around Bethlehem, so this is very plausible. A second option is that Jesus was born in a lower level of a house where animals were kept. During this time, it was common practice to keep animals on the bottom floor of the dwelling while people resided on the upper floors. So it’s also possible Mary gave birth on the bottom floor among the animals, because there was no room on the upper floor. For sure, Jesus our King came into this world in a very meek, humble, and lowly fashion.

God didn’t feel it was important for us to know the exact date. However, God did tell in the Bible that the Savior would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem. In Genesis 3:15, God promised the Savior’s virgin birth immediately after Adam and Eve’s first sin in the Garden of Eden. The prophet Micah in the Bible also prophesized hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, that the Savior would be born in the small town of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Micah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Mary and Joseph were required to go to Bethlehem to register for the census of the entire Roman territory (Luke 2:1–5). It was at that time that Mary gave birth to Jesus (Luke 2:6) fulfilling Micah’s prophecy.

Misconception #3: Donkeys, Sheep, and Camels

Just like most Christmas Nativity scenes show a barn, most include sheep, camels, and a donkey. You may be surprised to note that none of these are mentioned in the Bible as being present at the birth of Jesus. The donkey comes from the tradition that Mary rode to Bethlehem on a donkey, but this is not at all mentioned in the Bible. She could have ridden on a horse or a camel or a cart. She might have even walked – though I’m told that would not be much fun for a very pregnant woman. One thing we can know for sure is that the journey was likely very uncomfortable for her!

The sheep comes from the presence of shepherds in the Christmas story, but it’s unlikely they brought their herd with them to worship Jesus. And as discussed above, since Christmas Nativity Scenes place the Wise Men at the birth of Jesus (not Biblical), they bring in a camel too as traditionally, we imagine the Wise Men traveling by camel, but again this isn’t in Scripture.

Misconception #4: Perfect Baby?

While it’s true that Jesus never sinned and in that way was perfect, He was a normal baby. It is not a sin for a baby to cry, and Jesus certainly cried, spit up, had dirty diapers, and every other normal baby function. The idea that Jesus never cried comes from the beloved Christmas carol “Away In A Manger” but is nowhere in Scripture. Jesus was fully God and fully human (but without sin).

Misconception #5: Choirs of Angels Sing

Angels are mentioned in the Christmas story, when they herald the Good News of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds. They are not mentioned as being present or visible at the cave, lower floor, or stable in which Jesus was born!

Misconception #6: December 25 is “Jesus’ Birthday”

There is no indication of what time of year Jesus was born. The reason we celebrate Christmas on December 25 is a bit complicated. The date of Jesus’ crucifixion is around March 25, which we know is in the ballpark because Jesus was crucified the Friday before Passover. At some point in the second or third century, some Christians developed the idea that Jesus was conceived and crucified on the same day, just 33 years apart. Fast-forward nine months from March 25 and you land at December 25.

That’s at least one explanation of how we ended up here, but the Bible never indicates any relationship between Jesus’ conception and crucifixion, and never gives us an exact date of His birth. So truly Jesus could have been born at any time of year. However, Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on His birth and thank Him for coming to earth to save us from our sin.

It’s fun and enlightening to realize how much of our understanding comes from tradition and not the Bible, but it’s important that we don’t miss the forest for all the trees. The Christmas Story is a beautiful, miraculous account of God becoming man and descending from His Heavenly throne to dwell among us to pay the death punishment for our sins. Don’t get so bogged down in all the details that you miss the majesty of the event we celebrate this time of year!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). What joy we should have that our God loved us so much that He wanted to provide a pathway for us as sinners to reconcile with God. God showed His love for us by sending His Son in human form “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10). We were on death row, and God granted a pardon for all who will simply believe in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation. What a gift we have been offered, that we can’t earn or contribute to—it is a gift from God! Yet so many people don’t want to accept the free gift and prefer to try and earn or merit their salvation by being nice or trying to be a good person. While there is certainly nothing wrong with trying to be nice or a good person, unfortunately the Bible is clear that you can never be good enough to earn your salvation. If you aren’t 100% sure that you are going to heaven when you die solely because of what Jesus did for you, and not because of anything you did or deserve, please reach out to me at larry@larryodonnell.com. I would love to help you see what the Bible says about the amazing grace and gift that Jesus Christ is offering to you!