During the Christmas season, perhaps one of the most popular icons is the nativity scene. It is seen at residential homes, church buildings, and even government buildings as a life-like reminder that Jesus came into this world to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Most of the scenes are the same including: a stable, Jesus, Joseph, Mary, three wise men, flocks, a star, and an angel. Every Christian definitely appreciates the fact that many thoughts are turned to the Lord at this time of year, but at the same time, it can’t be forgotten that whatever is done has to be done by the authority of God (Col. 3:17) in accordance with His Word. So, there are three things that never really happened at the manger that everyone needs to know.
First, there was no angel at the manger of Jesus. The angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-35), angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation (Mat. 4:1-11), and an angel strengthened him in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). But, no angel appeared at the actual manger. It is true that an angel of the Lord did appear to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks by night (Luke 2:8-12). It was this angel, along with a host of other angels, who praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). But, it wasn’t until “the angels were gone away from them into Heaven” (Luke 2:15) that the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger (Luke 2:16) without any angels.
Second, there was no star shining over the manger. The Scriptures show that the wise men saw the star in the east (Mat. 2:2) and they came to Jerusalem asking where Jesus was so they could worship Him. Herod then sent them to Bethlehem (Mat. 2:8) while the star went before them and stood over the place where the young child (not baby) was (Mat. 2:9). The star stood over a house (not manger) where the young child was with His mother, Mary (Mat. 2:11). So, the bright shining star was not guiding anyone to the manger but did serve to guide the wise men to the house where the young child Jesus was.
Finally, not only were the wise men not at the manger, but the Bible never indicates there were only three wise men. It simply says, “There came wise men from the east” (Mat. 2:2). But, around the eighth century, the names Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar were given to these men. It is important to note that the wise men entered the house where Jesus was (Mat. 2:11) and presented unto him three distinct gifts. Were there ten men bearing these three gifts? Were there only two men bearing these gifts? The point is that the Bible is silent on this matter and if the Bible is silent on this matter we ought to respect the Scriptures and observe that same silence.
It is strange how the plain and simple facts surrounding the birth of Jesus are conveniently overlooked? For years, many have accepted the nativity scene as a Biblically true icon accepted without question. It is sad that so many are deceived by this and other doctrines that are never questioned in various religions. For this reason, everyone ought to search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) for the real truth and “try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Derrick Coble
First, there was no angel at the manger of Jesus. The angel Gabriel announced Jesus’ birth to Mary (Luke 1:26-35), angels ministered to Jesus after His temptation (Mat. 4:1-11), and an angel strengthened him in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:43). But, no angel appeared at the actual manger. It is true that an angel of the Lord did appear to announce the birth of Jesus to shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks by night (Luke 2:8-12). It was this angel, along with a host of other angels, who praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). But, it wasn’t until “the angels were gone away from them into Heaven” (Luke 2:15) that the shepherds went to Bethlehem and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger (Luke 2:16) without any angels.
Second, there was no star shining over the manger. The Scriptures show that the wise men saw the star in the east (Mat. 2:2) and they came to Jerusalem asking where Jesus was so they could worship Him. Herod then sent them to Bethlehem (Mat. 2:8) while the star went before them and stood over the place where the young child (not baby) was (Mat. 2:9). The star stood over a house (not manger) where the young child was with His mother, Mary (Mat. 2:11). So, the bright shining star was not guiding anyone to the manger but did serve to guide the wise men to the house where the young child Jesus was.
Finally, not only were the wise men not at the manger, but the Bible never indicates there were only three wise men. It simply says, “There came wise men from the east” (Mat. 2:2). But, around the eighth century, the names Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar were given to these men. It is important to note that the wise men entered the house where Jesus was (Mat. 2:11) and presented unto him three distinct gifts. Were there ten men bearing these three gifts? Were there only two men bearing these gifts? The point is that the Bible is silent on this matter and if the Bible is silent on this matter we ought to respect the Scriptures and observe that same silence.
It is strange how the plain and simple facts surrounding the birth of Jesus are conveniently overlooked? For years, many have accepted the nativity scene as a Biblically true icon accepted without question. It is sad that so many are deceived by this and other doctrines that are never questioned in various religions. For this reason, everyone ought to search the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) for the real truth and “try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
Derrick Coble