Christmas is the most widely observed cultural holiday in the world. While most of us know the familiar story, there are a few things about Christmas—and the birth of Jesus—that are often misunderstood.
First, no one knows the exact day or even the month Jesus was born. Scholars have suggested dates ranging from March to September. December 25 did not appear as the recognized celebration of Christ’s birth until the 4th century, when it was recorded in the Philocalian Calendar in Rome.
Second, many details we assume to be part of the nativity story are not actually found in Scripture. The Bible never says Mary rode a donkey, that an innkeeper turned them away, that Jesus was born the night they arrived in Bethlehem, that angels sang, that there were three wise men, or that the Magi arrived on the night of His birth. These elements come largely from tradition, art, and carols—not the biblical text. Kinda sad, huh?
Third, Jesus was likely not born in a wooden stable but in a cave or hillside shelter commonly used for animals in Bethlehem. By the third century, tradition identified a grotto as the probable site of His birth. The Church of the Nativity was later built over this location and remains the oldest continuously used Christian place of worship.
When I visited the Church of the Nativity, I was struck by its historical weight—and also by how strange the experience felt. The ornate decorations, the long lines, and the ritual of kissing the marble stone marking Jesus’ birthplace raised questions for me. How do we know this was the exact spot? Or, the adjoining room/cave where the manger was said to be. And, kissing the marble stone. Do we really need physical objects to access blessing or reverence? I expected awe, but instead felt a quiet skepticism. It was way too “commercial” feeling for my taste.
Many of our modern Christmas traditions developed centuries later. Gift-giving was popularized in the Middle Ages through Saint Nicholas, while Martin Luther encouraged gifts to be given in Christ’s name on Christmas Eve. Luther is also credited with adding candles to Christmas trees, inspired by starlight shining through evergreens, somewhere in the 1500s.
Christmas itself began as a celebration in the third century, with December 25 chosen partly because it aligned with Roman festivals marking the return of light after the winter solstice. Other Christian traditions celebrate Christmas on January 6 or January 7, and in the West, the season lasts twelve days, ending with Epiphany.
At its heart, Christmas celebrates the incarnation—God becoming human in the person of Jesus Christ. As John’s Gospel says, “The Word became flesh and lived among us.” This season invites us not just to remember that truth, but to embody it through love, generosity, and service.
Each year, much of the world pauses to celebrate the birth of Jesus. In the midst of noise, stressful news cycles, and endless demands, Christmas offers us a chance to slow down, gather with those we love, and reflect on what truly matters. However one chooses to observe it, Christmas remains an invitation – to peace, gratitude, and hope.
As you celebrate, we send you blessings of goodwill and the love of Jesus.
For God and you,
Deb Bostwick
Singles Blogger