The Real Story of Christmas -What the Bible Actually Says about the Birth of ChristThe Christmas story most people are familiar with is not a pretty one. It paints a cold and selfish picture of people in Bethlehem. Pastor Daniel Sweet, of God’s Word First Ministry sheds light on historical cultural customs to reveal the truth.
By: Debbra Sweet 
mary-inn-turned-away Is that really the picture of the birth of Jesus Christ? Or is it a long standing tradition that has gone unchecked and accepted as truth? Pastor Daniel Sweet, founder of God’s Word First Ministry, examines history, culture, customs, and mannerisms of ancient times to go deeper into what the bible says, and doesn’t say, on how the birth of the world’s savior really would have happened. Pastor Sweet, teaches his fellowship ministry members Greek words for this study. Sweet says “The importance of knowing Greek allows you to examine culture of the time during which Joseph and Mary lived. It is important to remove translational errors in the written bible, and study from the Greek, Latin, Hebrew and Aramaic text. This allows you to gain a wider understanding of life in Biblical times that are unwritten, but equally important.” He starts his research with what is written and typically read in our current English Bibles about Joseph and Mary's Arrival in Bethlehem: Luke 2:1-7 1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2) (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3) And everyone went to his own town to register. 4) “And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6) And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7) And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” He goes on to say “How sad. A pregnant couple turned away to have their baby in a strange town fending for themselves somewhere out in the cold harsh streets. How is it that they could not find adequate lodging in Joseph’s home town? If for some reason Bethlehem was so totally filled with guests and visitors that all the inns were full... did he have no friends or relatives who would open their home to them? What about their cousins Zechariah and Elizabeth? They lived only a short distance away, in the hill country of Judah (Luke 1:39). Certainly Joseph and Mary could have gone to them or found something, anything better than a stable full of livestock. It doesn’t make sense, right?” Pastor Sweet states: “Here’s why: First, In verse 3 is says that Joseph was returning “to his own town”. Historical memories are long in the Middle East, and family support is very strong. Given the long family memories in Hebrew culture, once Joseph told people that both he and Mary were descendants of families from Bethlehem, and of the house of David, many homes would be open to them. In fact, it is likely that Joseph and Mary already knew of relatives in Bethlehem and may well have gone to those homes first to find lodging before going to pay for a room at the local inns. As we see the true story of Christ’s birth develop, that seems like a very strong possibility. Second, just like it is today in America, in Hebrew culture it was common for women about to give birth to be given special help, and the village of Bethlehem would be no different. In that culture, just like ours and many others all over the world through out time, a young pregnant woman would never have been turned away in her hour of need.” When you start to study the languages that the Bible was originally written in, you start to see more than what modern Christians proclaim as truth. Getting the Story Straight: Maybe there is an error in our understanding of the scripture? Sweet takes e a closer look at this particular verse in Luke 2:7 and reveals: “There are two Greek words we must understand to properly interpret this verse. They are “topos”, which most versions of the bible translate as “room,” and “kataluma” Luke 2:7 "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room [topos] for them in the inn [kataluma]." The phrase “no room for them in the inn” is a mistranslation that continues to support the misunderstanding about the birth of Christ. The word topos occurs more than ninety times in the New Testament. It does not refer to “a room,” like we think of a hotel room, or a bedroom, but simply to a place, or a space in a given area. The text is not saying there was no “room” for Joseph and Mary as in the sense of a hotel room, but rather that there was no “space” for them. Space where? Not in the “inn,” but in the kataluma. What is a kataluma? In the Gospel record it is a “lodging place” or “guest room,” in someone’s personal home; not a commercial lodge, inn or motel that you pay for. There was no space for Joseph and Mary in the guest room because it was already full. The normal Greek word for “inn” is pandocheion (pan-dokk-i'- Where is “pandocheion” Luke 10:34 “And went to [him], and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn [pan-dokk-i'- In contrast to the public inn (pandocheion) The gospel of Luke also uses the verb form of kataluma, which is kataluo, “to find rest or lodging.” When Zacchaeus the tax collector brings Jesus home for a meal, the Bible says that Jesus goes “to be the guest” [kataluo] at Zacchaeus’ house (Luke 19:7). So Luke uses both the noun kataluma and the verb kataluo to refer to a room in someone’s home. The fact that pandocheion is a better word for “inn” than kataluma, along with the fact that Luke used pandocheion for an “inn” and kataluma for a guest room, is very solid evidence that Luke is telling us the family who took in Joseph and Mary had “no space” in their “guest room.” The Bible verses we covered should not be translated to say there was no room for them in the inn, but rather there was “no space for them in the guest room.” Young’s Literal Translation of the Bible translates Luke 2:7 as follows: “…there was not for them a place in the guest-chamber.” Pastor Sweet concludes: “It is important that we properly understand the record of the birth of Christ. The night that Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem they were not rejected by a local motel that had its “No Vacancy” sign turned on. Instead, they were taken into the private home of a caring family, most likely friends or relatives, who let them stay in the family living quarters because they already had other guests filling their guest room. Nobody was turned away. This type of giving and joy of service was customary in their culture at that time; especially for a young pregnant girl in need.” God’s Word First Ministry reaches people from around the world with valuable insights and teachings of the Bible. For more information about God’s Word First Ministry, go to: http://www.Gods- # # # Sweet Marketing Solutions is an outsourced integrated marketing communications firm located in San Diego, CA. www.SweetMarketingSolutions.com End
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