Every December, millions of children in the UK take part in their school nativity play.
The birth of Jesus, which is also called Christmas contestants, they say they tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.
But if your child has been cast as an innkeeper or a little donkey, there is bad news.
Professor Chris Greenough, Professor of Social Sciences at Edge Hill University, said that the people mentioned in these Christmas stories are not found in the Bible.
‘Some famous stories about the Christmas story are not in the Bible at all,’ he wrote in another article. Discussion.
Although Christmas is a Christian celebration celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Bible does not say much about when Mary gave birth.
‘In fact, there is very little about the birth and infancy of Jesus in the stories of the whole Gospel – his early life came into focus later because of his ministry.
‘What the Bible tells us is that there were few people at the birth of Jesus: only his parents, the shepherds who were present later, followed and visited by the Magi (wise men of the east).’
Professor Chris Greenough, Professor of Social Sciences at Edge Hill University, said that five Christmas stories are not found in the Bible, including any animal.
The Christmas story shows that Bethlehem is a ‘quiet town’, with several festive carols and carols about the ‘silent night’. But according to Professor Greenough, there was apparently ‘noisy’ in Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born. Image: The Census at Bethlehem, by Pieter Bruegel the Great
1. Jesus was not born ‘on a silent night’
The Christmas story shows that Bethlehem is a ‘quiet town’, with several festive carols and carols about the ‘silent night’.
But according to Professor Greenough, there was apparently ‘noisy’ in Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born.
He explained: ‘According to the good news of Luke, Caesar Augustus gave the order that a census should take place, and everyone should go to their village to register.
‘If it was the time of the census, and there were no guest rooms, it is unlikely that the night of Jesus’ birth was quiet.
‘The traditional, holy night of Christmas Eve in carols and movies would obviously be a busy, busy night in Bethlehem.’
2. There was no ‘little donkey’
In the story of the birth of Jesus, Mary and Joseph are often shown traveling to Bethlehem on a donkey.
However, the Bible does not mention the donkey at all.
In the Nativity story, Mary and Joseph are often shown traveling to Bethlehem on a donkey. However, the Bible does not mention the donkey at all
‘Luke 2:4 says that Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem to register with Mary,’ said Professor Greenough.
‘The story doesn’t tell us how they traveled – and riding a donkey while pregnant would have been very difficult.’
3. To tell the truth, there was no meat
Jesus was born with a variety of animals, including a sheep, a cow, and a donkey.
However, the Bible does not mention any animal in the context of Christmas.
Meredith Warren, a lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies at the University of Sheffield, suggests that the animals can be included in the Christmas story as a symbol of peace.
Writing for Discussionhe said: ‘Images of animals acting peacefully are very common in the Bible.
‘It is meant to represent a time of peace, so it is not surprising that our idea of the birth of the Prince of Peace includes animals.
The innkeeper is one of the most important characters in the school nativity play, tasked with providing the usual ‘no room in the inn’ menu for Mary and Joseph. However, this man does not appear in the Bible – and neither does the stable
The Bible mentions wise men – or ‘magi’ – who were guided by the stars and entered ‘houses’. However, it does not specifically mention that there were three wise men, according to Professor Greenough
‘Surprisingly, we don’t find many dragons, tigers, or lions in Christmas nativity scenes. But considering that cows and donkeys are not compatible with the Bible, why?’
4. The innkeeper and his stable
The innkeeper is one of the most important characters in the school nativity play, tasked with providing the usual ‘no room in the inn’ menu for Mary and Joseph.
However, this man does not appear in the Bible – and neither does the stable.
“Luke’s gospel only says ‘there was no guest room’,” Professor Greenough said.
‘The barn is thought to be the birthplace of Jesus because of the lack of guest rooms and because Jesus was laid to rest in a manger, a manger.’
5. The three wise men
The Bible tells us that those who were wondering were those who led Jesus by the stars and went ‘into the house’.
However, it does not specifically mention that there were three wise men, according to Professor Greenough.
‘We know that there were three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh – but the Bible does not say the number of magi who gave them,’ he added.
