Revealed: The Five Classic Christmas Story Elements That Are NOT Actually in the Bible

Every December, millions of children in the UK take part in their school Christmas play.

The Nativity Scene, also known as the Christmas Parade, purports to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ.

But if your child is cast as an innkeeper or a donkey, there is bad news.

Professor Chris Greenough from Social Sciences at Edge Hill University says these characters from the Christmas story do not actually appear in the Bible.

“Some of the best-known parts of the Christmas story are not in the Bible at all,” he wrote in an article for The conversation.

Although Christmas is a Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus, the Bible provides little information about when Mary gave birth.

“In fact, there is very little in the Gospel accounts as a whole about the birth and childhood of Jesus; his early life only became interesting later because of his ministry.

‘What the Bible does tell us is that there were few people at the birth of Jesus: only his parents, shepherds who were there later, followed by a visit from the magi (the wise men).’

1. Jesus was not born on a ‘silent night’

The Christmas story depicts Bethlehem as a ‘quiet city’, with several festive hymns and carols mentioning a ‘silent night’.

But according to Professor Greenough, Bethlehem would probably have been ‘busy’ on the night of Jesus’ birth.

“According to the Gospel of Luke, Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken, and that everyone should go to his own city to register,” he explained.

‘If it was time for the census and there were no guest rooms available, it is unlikely that the night of Jesus’ birth was quiet.

“The traditional silent, holy night of Christmas Eve in carols and movies would probably have been a bustling, busy night in Bethlehem.”

2. There was no ‘donkey’

In the Christmas story, Mary and Joseph are often depicted traveling to Bethlehem on a donkey.

However, the Bible makes no mention of a donkey at all.

“Luke 2:4 says that Joseph went from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem to be registered with Mary,” Professor Greenough said.

‘The record doesn’t tell us how they traveled – and riding a donkey while heavily pregnant would probably have been very uncomfortable.’

3. In fact, there were no animals at all

The nativity scene features a range of animals including sheep, an ox and a donkey.

However, the Bible does not mention animals in the Christmas story.

Meredith Warren, a lecturer in Biblical and Religious Studies at the University of Sheffield, suggests that the animals may have been later placed in the Christmas story as a symbol of peace.

Write for The conversationshe said, “Images of animals behaving peacefully are common in the Bible.

“They are meant to symbolize a time of peace, so it’s no wonder that our idea of ​​the birth of the Prince of Peace also includes animals.”

‘Surprisingly we don’t see many dragons, leopards or lions in nativity scenes. But since the ox and the donkey are equally unbiblical, why not?’

4. The innkeeper and his stable

The Innkeeper is one of the central characters in the school Nativity play, charged with delivering the classic line ‘there is no room in the inn’ to Mary and Joseph.

However, this character does not appear in the Bible – and neither does the stable.

“The Gospel of Luke only says that ‘there was no spare room available for them’,” Professor Greenough said.

“A stable is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus because of the lack of guest rooms and because Jesus was laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.”

5. Three wise men

The Bible mentions the wise men – or ‘magicians’ – who were led by the star to Jesus and entered a ‘house’.

However, according to Professor Greenough, it is not specifically mentioned that there were three wise men.

“We know there were three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh – but the Bible does not record the number of magicians who presented them,” he added.