Reflections on Bethlehem

 

Every year since we visited Bethlehem, I am reminded with a warm smile of the significance of the historical account of the birth of Jesus. However, this little town also reveals just how detailed God is in providing for Mary and the birth of His Son. No detail goes unnoticed, nor does God miss a moment in weaving His story into a beautiful tapestry of revelations and prophecies.

Bethlehem, located near Jerusalem, was known as the place where lambs for sacrificial purposes were raised, particularly those destined for use in the Temple in Jerusalem. According to some Jewish traditions and historical sources, the shepherds in and around Bethlehem were not ordinary shepherds but specialized in raising lambs considered pure and suitable for temple sacrifices. These shepherds were likely part of a group called the Levitical shepherds, or temple shepherds, responsible for raising sacrificial lambs. These lambs had to meet strict criteria of purity and were raised with great care, especially to be without blemish, since only unblemished animals could be offered as sacrifices in the Temple.

Bethlehem's proximity to Jerusalem and its reputation for raising lambs meant that the shepherds there played a key role in ensuring that the lambs they raised were suitable for sacrifice. These shepherds would have been familiar with the sacred requirements for raising lambs for the Temple and would have understood the significance of the long-awaited Messiah’s arrival. The urgency of spreading this truth would have filled them with the courage and boldness to proclaim the Good News. Just as Jesus called disciples from among simple fishermen, the angels called the shepherds to announce the birth of the Savior.

Swaddling clothes refer to cloths used to tightly wrap newborn infants, a common practice in the ancient world. The specific mention of swaddling clothes in the Nativity story (Luke 2:7) is significant because of its deeper connection to the temple sacrifices. In the context of the shepherds and Bethlehem, swaddling clothes were not just any cloths; they were reportedly the same kinds of cloths used to wrap sacrificial lambs, ensuring they were protected and undamaged. This connection is drawn from the tradition that these lambs needed to be handled gently and wrapped carefully, often in swaddling clothes, to prevent injury, which could disqualify them from being used in the Temple.

One interpretation, suggested by some scholars and traditions, is that the swaddling cloths used by the shepherds to wrap the lambs for the Temple could have been made from the old garments of priests. It is believed that when priestly garments were worn out or became unusable for their original purpose, they could have been repurposed for other uses, including making swaddling clothes for the lambs. The garments of the priests, particularly the linen garments worn during their service at the Temple, were considered holy. If these garments were no longer fit for continued use in temple service, they may have been recycled or repurposed for other sacred functions, including wrapping the lambs destined for sacrifice. This would ensure that the lambs were treated with reverence in accordance with temple practices.

The idea that Mary and Joseph were seeking an "inn" is largely based on later translations and interpretations of the Bible. The Gospel of Luke (2:7) says, "there was no room for them in the inn," but the term "inn" (Greek: kataluma) is more accurately understood as a "guest room" or a "place to stay" within a private home, rather than a commercial establishment like a modern-day inn or motel.

In ancient Jewish culture, families typically stayed with relatives when traveling. Given that Joseph was from Bethlehem, it’s likely that Mary and Joseph were seeking accommodation in the home of a relative. However, due to the influx of people coming to Bethlehem for the census (as ordered by Caesar Augustus), the guest room or extra sleeping space in the house was likely already occupied, leaving no room for them inside. Additional spaces for guests were often built as extra rooms on the roof or in other parts of the house. These roof spaces were often simple, makeshift structures or even open-air areas where guests could sleep. This practice was in keeping with the hospitality culture of the time, where providing lodging for guests (especially family or friends) was a key aspect of social and religious life.

As for the stable, it's a common misinterpretation to think of it as a separate building. In the homes of ancient Palestine, it was common for animals to be kept on the lower level of a house, often in a space near or integrated into the family living area. The family lived on the upper floors, while the animals (such as donkeys, goats, or sheep) were kept in a lower, enclosed area to protect them from predators and to provide warmth during the cold nights.

In many cases, the lower area would not be a separate structure but part of the same building. This part of the home was typically constructed to provide shelter for animals, with the animals kept in a designated area of the house—sometimes in a corner or on the lower floor. As for the manger (the feeding trough where Jesus was laid), this would likely have been located in this area, as it would have been the only available place for Mary to lay Jesus after His birth.

Bethlehem, located in a rocky and hilly region of ancient Judea, did not have extensive forests for sourcing timber. The area is part of a broader Mediterranean region with dry, rocky terrain, and the climate is not conducive to the large-scale growth of trees like those found in more forested areas. Therefore, building materials like stone, mud bricks, and clay were more commonly used in everyday construction. In Bethlehem and surrounding areas, limestone was a common building material. It was readily available and easy to cut into blocks for use in homes, stables, and other structures. For non-permanent structures or less significant buildings, people often used mud bricks (also called adobe) or clay to build walls and other items, including feeding troughs. While wood was used sparingly in construction—mainly for doors, beams, and furniture—it was not as prevalent as stone and brick, given the lack of forests and the high cost of timber.

The significance of the manger in the Nativity story is both practical and symbolic. From a practical standpoint, Mary and Joseph, unable to find space in the guest room, would have placed Jesus in the only available place for Him—a feeding trough for animals. Symbolically, the manger represents humility, showing that Jesus, though considered the Messiah, was born into modest and humble circumstances.  Not only that, but the symbolism of Jesus being placed in a feeding trough would later be elaborated upon by Jesus Himself when He referred to Himself as the "bread of life." Just as the animals came to the manger for nourishment, we must come to Jesus, the source of our life. Without Him, we have no hope for a joyful life now and for all eternity.

Not only did Mary’s visit to Elizabeth in Judah provide an opportunity for her to be away from the scrutiny of accusations, but it also allowed Elizabeth and Zechariah to provide the blessed garments in which the Christ Child would be wrapped. While this is speculative, could it not be seen as a revelation of God’s loving provision for every detail?

 I am comforted knowing that the God who cares for me is big enough to provide for every need in my life. Just as God provided on the journey from Elizabeth’s care in Judah, to Joseph’s home in Nazareth as a married couple, and then to Bethlehem, He would have also provided the shelter and care that an expecting mother needed—even down to the simple necessity of wrapping the Christ Child in swaddling clothes.

2022 Fields of Bethlehem

Luke 2:1-20 LSB

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. ² (This was the first census that took place while^[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) ³ And everyone went to their own town to register.

⁴ So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. ⁵ He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, ⁷ and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

⁸ And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. ⁹ An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. ¹⁰ But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. ¹¹ Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. ¹² This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.