Nativity scenes, a subject of Christian art since the 4th century, are meant to portray the awesome event of Jesus' birth. Unfortunately, such depictions do not accurately reflect what the Bible teaches about the Lord's birth found in Matthew and Luke's gospels.
* When Did They Visit? *
Nativity scenes typically depict Magi offering their gifts to Jesus as he lies in a manger. While the Magi did visit Jesus, they did not do so the day he was born!
"Now AFTER Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, Magi from the east arrived at Jerusalem." (Matthew 2:1).
A harmonizing of Matthew and Luke's account shows the Magi visited Jesus at least 40 days after his birth when the family was in a Bethlehem house (Luke 2:21 - 38, Matthew 2:11).
"And when they (the Magi) had come into THE HOUSE, they found the little Child with Mary His mother, and they bowed down and worshiped Him . . ." (Matthew 2:11).
* How Many? *
Nativities usually show three Magi (wise men) visiting Christ. The Bible, however, is silent on this matter. Three gifts were given (Matthew 2:11), but that doesn't mean only three Magi traveled to Bethlehem. Many more, in fact, likely made the long journey. The Catholic Church's best guess is maybe TWELVE Magi visited baby Jesus (Magi article in 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia)!
* Location Marking *
Nativity scenes sometimes show a star or angel above Jesus' manger as if to mark its location. The Bible, however, does not mention this taking place!
Angels did appear over Bethlehem's fields to announce the Lord's birth to shepherds (Luke 2:8 - 15). They then, however, quickly disappeared. The shepherds were not told to look for some celestial object to find Jesus but rather something else.
"Now this is the sign for you: you shall find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." (Luke 2:12).
It should be noted the "star" (angel) that led the Magi disappeared likely after they entered Judea. The Magi were then forced to go to Jerusalem to seek from Herod where Christ was located. It was only AFTER they left Jerusalem, several weeks after the Lord was born, that the star reappeared and led them to a home (not manger) in Bethlehem!
Message Thread
« Back to index