Christmas Bible Study
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Session 1: The Story of Jesus’ Birth - Luke 2:1-20
In this session, we will look at the traditional and well-known understanding of Christ’s birth. We will consider the culture and traditions during Jesus’ time as well as the problems associated with the choices made in translation. Where did some of our understanding and misunderstanding of Jesus’ birth come from, and how do our interpretations differ from those of the Eastern Churches (Orthodox)?
Luke 2:1-20 NIV – key sections and words are in italics and underlined. Compare to other translations!
The Birth of Jesus
2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to
God in the highest heaven,
and on earth
peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Important points to consider:
Joseph was not necessarily born in Bethlehem, but his heritage/lineage was from there (House of David)
Joseph was a “royal”, descended from King David and would have been welcome anywhere in town.
A woman about to give birth would have been given top priority for hospitality and help by tradition.
Mary had nearby relatives (Zechariah and Elizabeth) and had visited her earlier.
Joseph had plenty of time to make adequate arrangements – he would have been condemned if he had not properly prepared for the birth. It is unthinkable that he was not ready.
No information is given about either the time of day or date.
Questions to consider:
How long was Joseph in Bethlehem before Mary gave birth?
What is “The Protevangelium of James” and how has it influenced our understanding?
Why does NIV use the term “guest room” while KJ translation say “Inn”?
What was the design of a typical home (average/poor person’s) in Bethlehem at that time?
Why do we picture Mary riding on a donkey (ass?) while traveling to Bethlehem?
When referring to a “room”, do we mean a “compartment” or a “space”, and is it significant?
Where else is “swaddling clothes mentioned in the Bible? (*see Ezekiel 16:4)
What is the difference between stable, barn and storehouse, and is it important?
What is the “prophet’s chamber” and why was it important to have one? See Kings 17:19)?
Does the story in Luke (or elsewhere in the Bible) tell where Mary gave birth?
What do the story of Jephthah (Judges 11:29-40), Saul’s encounter with Eudor in 1 Samuel 28 (v24), the parable in Matthew 5:14-15, and the incident described in Luke 13:10-17 reveal about houses/homes and life patterns of Jesus’ time?
In the KJ Bible, the word translated as “Inn” is katalyma, and is the same word that is translated as “upper room” in Luke 22:10-12. If it was an “Inn” in our sense of the word, Luke would have used the term pandocheion which literally means “the place that receives all”. Why is this distinction important?
Katalyma can also be translated as “lodge” or “public caravansary or khan”. Can such an interpretation be justified, and if so, what impact would it have on the story of Christ’s birth?
Eastern Orthodox churches have a tradition that Mary gave birth alone and out of site. Continuing the idea of, Christ’s incarnation being “out of sight”, their Eucharist is celebrated by priests behind a veil. Is there anything about the story in Luke to justify that belief?
What was the cultural, social and economic situation of shepherds at the time of Christ’s birth?
Why is it significant that shepherds were the first group of individuals notified of Jesus’ birth?
Why did the shepherds need a sign?
Why is it significant that the shepherds went away rejoicing and spreading the good news? What were their social and cultural mandates if they had found any baby in a less than acceptable situation?
No animals are mentioned in Luke’s account. Where did we get the story about talking animals?
Why do some accounts (mostly Eastern Orthodox) place Christ’s birth in a cave?
Why are the city of Bethlehem and the humble birth of Jesus significant? What Old Testament passages are fulfilled by the nature of Christ’s birth?
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