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Revision as of 08:21, 6 October 2005

I think this could do with some actual Bible references. I've heard that there are quite a few common misconceptions about the scene and that modern representations are flawed in some ways. Also, how does the represenation differ around the world? violet/riga (t) 14:45, 11 Jan 2005 (UTC)

Jesus' DOB

Though Jesus's birth is celebrated on 25 December, most scholars agree that it is unlikely he was actually born on this date. - Could somebody expand on this? --NicholasJones 19:35, 13 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Caesar Augustus not Herod -- and Three Gifts not Three Wise Men

Just a couple quick references. It was Caesar Augustus not King Herod who decreed the tax census (Luke 2:1). Herod ruled Judea but Caesar ruled all of the Roman Empire (including Judea)

    Regarding the wise men:  that event has some interchange taking place with Herod (Matthew 2), and likely took place a while after Jesus was born (but while he was still a baby and still in Bethelem).  The Bibie never limits the number of wise men to three.  The Bible references THREE types of gifts but does not reference how many wise men (Matthew 2:1-13).  The Bible indicates they came "from the "east to Jerusalem" but it does not specifically note Persia.  Many believe that Persia is the likely location.  There are similar references to the birth of Kings and stars from that area.  In addition, the term "Magi" may tie to the higher-level ruling members (king makers) of the Persian "parlement" of the time (i.e., to politicians not astrologers as some reference).

Tesseract501@aol.com; September 30, 2005.

Born in a Stable - No!

The Bible didn't say Jesus was born in a stable. It says he was placed in a manger. One thing doesn't translate to another. Just like most scholars think he wasn't born in an inn. 165.21.154.109 10:44, 23 September 2005 (UTC)

Reply: I think the conjecture is sound (about Jesus being born in a Stable). The usual place to find a manger is in a stable. Mangers are located in places where animals are fed or kept (hence, a stable of some sort). It is possible, but I think unlikely, that Joseph found and moved a manger to a different location (if he found a portable manger). The reference is clear that there was not enough room for the newborn Jesus to be placed in the Inn keepers beds.

    There was no room for them at the Inn, and the newborn Jesus was placed in a manger.  Luke 2:7, "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."
    The angels referenced it as a sigh for the shepherds:  Luke 2:12, "And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."  Luke 2:15-16, "And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
    Regardless of where the manger was located, the very humble sorroundings of Jesus' birth is one of the awe inspiring aspects of the Nativity story.

Tesseract501@aol.com; September 30, 2005

link to 'sing'

Why do you have a link to the word 'sing'? If you click, what you get has zero to do with the nativity!