By D. A. Waite, Jr. (Given December 18, 2011)

When was the Lord Jesus Christ born? [December 25, the year zero?]

WE do not know the answer to this question. The Bible tells us that when he was born shepherds were abiding in the fields [living in the fields, being under the open sky--even at night] keeping watch over their flocks by night. Perhaps He (as the fulfillment of the Passover lamb) was born during the Passover season in Late March or early April. God did not want to emphasize WHEN he was born as much as he wanted to stress WHY he was born.

Who were some of the rulers that reigned when the Christ-child was born?

The Bible tells us that at the time of Christ's birth, Augustus Caesar was the Emperor of Rome and Herod the Great was king of Palestine.

In which town or village was the Lord Jesus Christ born? [Was it Romeor Damascus or Jerusalem?]

No, the Bible tells us that He was born In Bethlehemof Judea.

Why did Joseph and Mary travel from Nazarethto Bethlehem? [Did they go to visit relatives or the shopping mall?]

How did Mary and Joseph travel from Nazarethto Bethlehem? [Did they ride a donkey, a burro, a horse, an ox-cart, or a chariot?]

The Bible does not tell us. They probably walked. All talk of Mary riding a donkey is not only highly unlikely, it is pure speculation. [Luke 2:4-5]

In what kind of shelter was the baby Jesus born? [Was it a stable, barn, or cave?]

The Bible does not tell us. All it tells us is WHERE the Christ Child was placed after He was born. The Bible tells us that He was placed in a manger because there was no room for them [Mary, Joseph, and the babe] in the inn. [Luke 2:6-7]

When Jesus Christ was born, what were the inns of Bethlehem like? [Did they have cathedral ceilings, oak floors & soundproofed walls?]

Secular history tells us that the inns were very much like a camp ground. They were open air enclosures with a fence or a wall around them to protect the campers from the winds. [1) an inn, lodging place 2) an eating room, dining room]

What does the Bible say about the innkeeper? [Was he kind, cruel, friendly, rude?]

The Bible says absolutely nothing about any innkeeper. There may or may not have been an innkeeper, but all that we have heard about one is pure speculation and has no Biblical basis at all.

What do we know about the manger in which the baby Jesus was placed?

2 Questions About The Birth Of Christ By D. A. Waite, Jr. (12/18/11)

The Bible uses the word manger as a translation of the word for "feeding place." Mangers or feeding places for animals were frequently found in the open fields where the animals spent most of their time. Whether or not this manger or "feeding place" was in a barn, a cave, or a stable the Bible does not tell us. We do not even know for sure if there was a barn, or stable, or cave in the Bethlehem area at that time. The Bible does not tell us and secular history in inconclusive.

Why did Mary wrap the newborn baby Jesus in swaddling clothes?

Wrapping a newborn in swaddling cloths was the typical custom of the day. Swaddling clothes were long strips of soft cloths, the same sort of strips of cloths that dead bodies were customarily wrapped in. 

What song did the angels sing as they announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds?[Was it "Jingle bells," "White Christmas," "Frosty the Snowman"?]

A single angel made the announcement to the shepherds about the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was suddenly joined by a great number of heavenly hosts “praising God and SAYING, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth earth peace, good will toward men.”-Luke 2:13-14

Who was present on the day of Christ's birth?

Mary and Joseph were present for the birth itself. Not too long after the baby Jesus’ birth, however, they were joined by shepherds. An Angel had told them that they would find the Savior Christ the Lord wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

What gifts did these shepherds give to the baby Jesus on the day of his birth?

The Bible does not mention that these shepherds gave the baby Jesus a single gift. As a matter of fact, it does not even tell us that they said a single word to either Mary, Joseph, or the newborn King. After they saw the baby Jesus, however, they told others what the angel had told them about this special baby. When they went back to their sheep, they returned glorifying and praising God at what they had seen and heard.

What about the Wise men? Weren't they present at the manger too?

Although many people believe that the Wise Men were present at the manger with the shepherds and the newborn baby Jesus, the Bible does not support that belief. By the time the Wise men arrive in Bethlehem, the Bible no longer refers to Jesus as a babe but it calls him a young child. Herod apparently believed that--based upon when the Wise Men first saw this special star--the young child Jesus could have been two years old by the time they arrived in Bethlehem. The Bible does tell us that Herod--after he had diligently inquired of the Wise Men what time the star had appeared--gave orders to murder all boys living in Bethlehemfrom two years old and younger.

Furthermore, by the time that the Wise Men reach Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph, and the young child Jesus are in a house. Since--by the time the Wise Men arrive--Jesus is a young child (possibly as old as two) and since he and his family are living in a house, it is safe to say that the Wise Men were not present at the manger when Jesus was newly born.

How many Wise Men were there worshipping the young child Jesus in the house?

All sorts of stories about the Wise Men have been fabricated. Many believe that there were three Wise Men. Some even pretend that they know their names. The Bible, however, does not tell us their number or their names. 

But didn't the Wise men give gifts to the young child while he was in a house in Bethlehem?

Yes, they did. The Bible tells us that when they had opened their treasures, they gave the young child gifts--gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Notice that they did not give each other gifts and they did not give Mary and Joseph gifts, they gave them to the young Lord Jesus Christ and to no one else. Notice also the nature of these gifts. The Wise men did not give gifts that would soon loose their worth or value, but gave gifts that would maintain their value for many years. Notice also how many gifts they gave. They gave only three different gifts--three, not thirty-three. Notice also that there was no exchange of gifts. The Wise Men gave the gifts; Neither Mary nor Joseph nor the young Jesus gave a single gift to the Wise Men or to each other.

Well, then, if the Wise Men did not give gifts on the day of the Lord's birth and when they finally did give gifts, they gave them to the Lord Jesus Christ and Him only, where did this modern day custom of giving every one and his grandmother gifts on the supposed day of Christ's birth come from?

When we first read about the Wise Men, they have just arrived in Jerusalem wanting to know where to find the one who has been born King of the Jews They have seen his star, and have traveled from the East to worship Him. King Herod's scribes tell the Wise Men that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea. As the Wise men journey towards Bethlehem, the star which they had seen while they were in the East went before them until it stood over the place where the young child lay.

Did the early Christians celebrate birthdays? No they did not

[Questions and answers by DAW2 12-1-1994, revised 11-26-11]