“Away In A Manger”

(click to enlarge)

We all grew up with a certain image of the birth of Jesus Christ. When I say certain, I mean that we were certain that we knew all the facts and the modern depictions just supported this image. So, imagine my mind-blowing transformation when I found out that the image I have always known is not EXATCTLY true.

Before I go any further, allow me to reassure you that I am not about to debunk or disrespect anyone’s religion. Historically speaking, when I find out that what we were taught in school is not the truth, I find it interesting to dig a little and find out the true facts about a subject. So, while I will tell you what I found, this will not be sacrilegious, just eye opening. I apologize in advance if it offends anyone.

So, let’s dig in. Now, I have always accepted the story that Mary and Joseph were traveling to Bethlehem. When they arrived, there was no room at the inn so they had to stay in the barn with the animals and that is why Jesus was placed in a manger. Again, every modern depiction of this event roughly shows the same thing. While reading a book recently, the idea of Jesus being born in a cave was brought up. This led me to do some reading to find the truth.

If you look up “birthplace of Jesus Christ”, the cave theory pans out. There is a sight in Bethlehem that has been sanctioned the birthplace of Jesus and it is, in fact, a cave. The book of Luke Chapter 2:7 states:

“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 for “inn” is “kataluma”, which also can be translated to “guestroom”. It is believed that Mary and Joseph were not trying to stay in a hotel style inn. They were staying with family. When they got there, the guestroom was already full of relatives. Being that Mary was in her final days of pregnancy, the only space available that would accommodate a birth would be this cave where animals were kept.

Well, if all that is true, then where did this modern depiction come from? Being that Luke mentioned that Jesus was placed in a manger, the legend grew from there. Mangers are used to feed farm animals. Over time, it became more and more popular to picture Jesus being born in a barn that was detached from the modern-day vision of an inn that we know. In my opinion, that depiction became more popular because it is more dramatic than how we vision a “cave” today.

I never condemn anyone for what they believe. There is no right or wrong. I happen to find the actual history of things to be more interesting than what we are taught. Regardless of what I have learned from this, I will continue to admire and adore the barn-style nativity for its beauty and legend. Knowing what I know now, I will keep that in mind while admiring the nativity.

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All photographs by Keith J. Fisher 
©2022 Grazie Santangelo. All Rights Reserved.