The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is built on the stone cave where they think Jesus was born.
Stained glass windows depicting the birth of Christ in St Malachy’s Church, Main Street, Castlewellan, Northern Ireland, UK. PICTURE: K Mitch Hodge/Unsplash
Stables in ancient Palestine were stone not wood – and often attached to houses.
The house had a lower area, where animals stayed during the winter, and an upper room, where the people lived. The heat from the animals warmed the house.
In Greek, the word for upper room is the same as the word for inn.
Some scholars believe Mary and Joseph stayed with relatives in Bethlehem that first Christmas. Even though Mary was with child, they were contemptuously put in the animals quarters.
It shows just how far down society’s ladder they were considered.
For me it makes the story all the more heartbreaking. A couple – who’s own family considered them as low as animals – give birth to the son of God. Amazing.
Paul Clark’s musings can be heard on radio across Australia and at atthetop.org.au.
