Monday, December 23, 2024
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy Monday, my friends! Luke’s Gospel tells us, “While [Mary and Joseph] were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7 NRSV). While these verses set up our traditional image of Jesus’ birth, I’ve always struggled with them because even if the inn is full, how cruel must one be to offer a pregnant woman nothing more than space in a cattle shed? Yet, this reading is as much based on our traditional images of the Christmas scene as it is based on a mistranslation of the passage.
The Greek word the author uses is kataluma, which translates as “guest room,” not “inn.” While there were places that might be considered inns—pandochea or “public inn”—these spaces were frequented by the wealthy who traveled with entourages. Ordinary people often stayed in the homes of other people. Think about all the Gospel stories you know where Jesus stayed somewhere overnight. How many times did he stay in an inn? He stayed with people he knew or with people to whom he was preaching and ministering. The only other time Luke uses the term kataluma is in Luke 22:11 when Jesus gives instructions for preparing the space for the Last Supper. More than likely they were staying with members of Joseph’s family and all the rooms or beds were already taken. They may have been staying in an area of the house carved out of a hillside where animals were sometimes housed or, more likely, the house had a large common area where animals stayed overnight to protect them from the cold. The fact that Mary places Jesus in a manger speaks less to poverty than it does to circumstance. When Joseph and Mary arrived, Joseph’s family was likely not anticipating a baby and they made do with what they had.
To be clear, knowing that Jesus was born in a house likely occupied by relatives doesn’t change the fact that Mary is far from home and staying with her fiancé’s family who likely have more than a few questions about Mary and the circumstances of her pregnancy. Her delivery of Jesus is far from ideal, but perhaps less austere than we might otherwise imagine.
How do you envision the birth of Jesus? What truths do you draw from the Christmas narrative?
Let us pray: Liberating God, Just as Mary and Joseph sought shelter for their family, may we build a world where every person finds a home, free from violence, rejection, and fear. Fill us with the courage of your Spirit to fight for justice, to challenge systems that oppress and marginalize, and to proclaim the good news of liberation for all. Amen.
Blessings on your weeks, my friends! I wish you the very best holiday season!
Faithfully,
Ben
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