The Myths of Christmas

Topic Notes

Welcome!
Introduction: Bible Myths
Myth #1: 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.
• Used in: Luke 22:11, and Mark 14:14 – The Upper Room
• Also: Luke 10:34
• Inns were only on the main roads – so there were none in Bethlehem
• Normally used only by Romans and foreigners

About XMas and Happy Holidays

• What’s the deal with the X?
• the X is the first Greek letter in Christ (Χριστός)
• What about Holidays?
• Holidays is actually translated to Holy Days

Myth #2: Jesus was born on December 25th

• Clue: Luke 2:8
• Shepherds only let their flocks out at night during the warm months
• Christ was probably born in a warm season like summer, not a cold one like winter.
• In fact early Christians chose December 25th because that was the supposed birth of a false god, during the pagan festival of Rome: feast of goddess Brutus.
• It was done in order to wrest the celebration away from pagans. Mission Accomplished!

Myth #3: Joseph and Mary arrived to Bethlehem late at night.

• Bible doesn’t say when.
• Today, we drive, but back then, 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.

• There were no stables back then, per se.
• Sheep were usually protected within stone walls.
• Other animals were typically brought into the house at night.

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.

• In middle, or lower class home, there were three parts.
  1. A family room
  2. a place for the animals at night
  3. an extra room partitioned off from the family room (guest room).
• The whole family – everyone – was in the same house.

BIBLE CONTRADICTION

• Did the prophecy of the Virgin Birth really mean “virgin” birth?
• Isaiah 7:14
• Matthew 1:23
• The argument: The Greek Septuagint which Matthew used translates it as “a virgin shall conceive and bear a son,” but the Hebrew word “almah” means “young woman of marriageable age,” not a virgin.

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