“Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”  
Luke 2:1–7 NASB 

Every Christmas, Christians focus on the birth of Jesus. The beautiful stories of Matthew and Luke are reenacted. To appreciate fully this wonderful story, it is necessary to know something of the historical backdrop and context. The birth of Jesus didn’t simply “come out of the blue.”  

Life was difficult for the Jewish people at the time of Jesus’s birth. The hated and paranoid King Herod was near the end of his life. Would-be kings were recruiting followers, hoping to overthrow Rome and win freedom for Israel. Some didn’t want change; they liked the way things were.  

Although not all Jews in the first century expected a Messiah, many did. They believed that Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy would someday be fulfilled: “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).  

Those who clung to this reassuring prophecy assumed it would be fulfilled in some grand fashion. Surely this promised son — this descendant of David, Israel’s greatest king — would come in glory and power, or so many assumed. But not so; He was born to humble parents, and He spent His first night in a feeding trough!  

Let’s take a closer look at the beloved yet often misrepresented Nativity scene. It is true that the King James Version, as well as the New American Standard Bible, which is quoted above, says that there was “no room for” Joseph and Mary “in the inn,” but the Greek is better translated “guest room.” Mary and Joseph had likely gone to the home of friends or relatives, but their guest room (probably upstairs) already had another family in it. This is why Joseph and Mary were given the stable below (or beside) the house. But the stable is not outside in a barn; it is part of the house, downstairs, kind of like a modern garage. Mary and Joseph were afforded privacy, but we should assume that when Mary gave birth, she was assisted by family and friends.  

Archaeology has uncovered the remains of the floors and foundations of some of these homes with connected stables. Archaeologists have also recovered mangers, or feeding troughs, which almost always were made of stone. The birth of Jesus and the first few days of his young life may have unfolded in a rustic setting, with animals nearby, but it was not in a dirty barn. And while we usually picture the three wise men visiting the infant Jesus, they didn’t arrive until one or two years later.  

The evangelist Matthew caught the significance of the birth of Jesus when he noted that it fulfilled yet another prophecy of Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel,” or “God-with-us” (Isaiah 7:14). In the birth of Jesus and in the fulfillment of this important prophecy, it would soon become clear that God was indeed with us, to save us from our sins (Matthew 1:21).  

God often chooses to use the least likely, the small, or the weak for His redemptive purposes. Here, the salvation of the world is seen in the birth of a child from a humble family, not from an influential family or in the arrival of a powerful army. When Mary was told of her unexpected pregnancy, she responded, “May it be done to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).  

She believed that the God of Israel could accomplish His purposes in her, a young woman of no power or influence. God can use us ordinary people for His purposes too. He has done it many times before, and He is still doing it today!

When you think of popular Bible stories, like the Christmas story, you might imagine particular things — that Mary and Joseph were poor, that they traveled through the desert to get to Bethlehem, or even that Jesus was born in a dirty barn. But are those things really true? Sometimes we approach Scripture with Western eyes and English translations that don’t give us a complete picture of the historical and cultural reality of these stories.

The new book, Wow! I Didn’t Know!: Things You Never Knew About the Stories of Jesus by Dr. Craig & Ginny Evans, dives deeper into Scripture to shine a light on common misconceptions and reveal the more likely facts that can not only deepen our understanding, but change the way we view the stories that many of us know by heart. 

We know you’ll be so encouraged and inspired by this new book. . . so we’re giving away FIVE copies*! Just leave a comment on this article, and we’ll select five winners at random.

Then tune in over the weekend to the (in)courage podcast for a conversation with Becky Keife and Dr. Craig & Ginny Evans as they discuss this unique book! You don’t want to miss the stories, wisdom, and encouragement they share!

About the Authors: Professor Craig A. Evans is a well-known New Testament scholar, prolific author, popular teacher, and sought-after speaker. He has taught in North America and around the world, published more than 90 books, authored more than 700 academic and popular publications, and has consulted for the National Geographic Society, the Museum of the Bible, and many others. He is best known for his contribution to work on the Gospels, historical Jesus, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and archaeology of the New Testament.

Ginny Evans holds degrees in home economics and library science and has actively supported and managed her husband’s ministry for over 50 years. As an amateur genealogist, she has authored a dozen books of memoir and family history. Ginny and Craig have two daughters and two grandsons. After living for 35 years in Canada, they now make their home near Houston, Texas. 

*Giveaway open to US addresses only, and closes on 10/26/2025 at 11:59 pm Central.

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