Christian Christmas Myths

Topic Notes

• Getting close to Christmas!
• Myth #1: We are taught that Mary and Joseph arrived at an inn, but it was full so they had to stay in stable.
• The word translated “inn” is does not mean “hotel”… the Greek word is kataluma (kat-al’-oo-mah). Used in: Luke 22:11, and Mark 14:14 – The Upper Room
• Luke 22:11
• Where’s the word “inn”? IT IS NOT THERE.. Word is “guest room” Mary and Joseph actually were looking to stay at a “guest room’!!
• Luke 10:34 mentions an “inn” and he uses the Greek word pandocheion (pan-dokk-i’-on)
• Myth #2: “Jesus was born on December 25th”
• Luke 2:8
• Christ was probably born in a warm season like summer, not a cold one like winter.
• Christians chose December 25th during the pagan festival of Rome: feast of goddess Brutus.
• BIBLE CONTRADICTION
  • Was Mary a virgin or not?
  • Isaiah 7:14 vs Matthew 1:23
• Myth #3: Joseph and Mary arrived to Bethlehem late at night.
• Bible doesn’t say when.
• We drive, but they walked just 10-15 miles a day. They knew how long they would travel.
• Furthermore, traveling at night was dangerous.
• They probably arrived in the late afternoon.
• Myth #4: The innkeeper had no alternative but to put Mary and Joseph in stable at night.
• NO STABLES THEN!
• Sheep protected in stone walls. Other animals brought into house at night.
• Not a stable, but a family home.
• Myth #5: Mary gave birth to Jesus the night they arrived.
• Luke says “while they were there the days were completed”
• Joseph probably didn’t travel on the day of the birth.
• Myth #6: Mary was alone in a stable when Jesus was born.
• The Bible never says that!

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