Scholar's research strengthens claims for accuracy of Christmas story

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Wednesday, December 25, 2002 | Ann Rodgers-Melnick

[Willie Green]

Kenneth Bailey built the Nativity scene in his living room from first-century mosaic stones he collected while teaching biblical and Middle Eastern studies in Jerusalem. But its real distinction is that the baby Jesus lies in a manger hewn into the floor of a living room in a house, not in a dirty, drafty stable.

[curmudgeonII]

Here's a bump for an excellent post.

[muawiyah]

Societies with cold weather build homes that allow entry to their animals. The Judean highlands qualify.

[VOA]

I'll be back to read this closely (looks interesting).

Right now I'm listening to Michael Medved's "The Secret History of Christmas" being broadcast
right now on KRLA 870AM in Los Angeles.
He's right now telling how George Washington and his New England troops (who really didn't
observe Christmas) won The Battle of Trenton to large degree because of the Hessians
habit of getting intoxicated for Christmas.

[Fiddlstix]

Good Post

[fishtank]

Gotta remember to get a copy of that tape. I heard part of it a while ago --

among other excellences, Medved is quite a storyteller and historical genius. He has quite a knack at being able to make the accounts fascinating.

[VOA]

...Medved is quite a storyteller and historical genius.
He has quite a knack at being able to make the accounts fascinating.

That's the truth!
I'm thinking of buying the whole set of American history CDs (from pre-Revolutionary
to Civil War) for my niece.

It would be a hoot to strap down some of our current revisionist historians from
in major universities and force them to listen to Medved's tapes of American History...
now that's something tenured faculty would call "cruel and unusual punishment"!

[JudyB1938]

Thought you'd find this interesting.

[EggsAckley]

Great post! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Merry Christmas!

[blam]

"Thought you'd find this interesting."

I did, thank you.

[LS]

Yet I just heard another Middle Eastern "expert" say that an "inn" was exactly what was meant by that term; that the "stable" area was a large enclosed wall space; that the family might have even been in a cave, which often served as a "barn" back then.

This interpretation COULD be right---except for one thing: wasn't it common for women with an issue of blood (during chidbirth, for example) to be kept separate from the community? Thus, wouldn't it be natural for Mary to have been APART?

I also dispute the notion (not necessarily presented here) that Joseph was poor. There was no room for them, but that was due to the census, not his financial status. He was an established carpenter, no doubt with ENOUGH money that he could afford to get married. Some scholars point to the fact that Mary and Joseph only gave doves as a sacrifice, instead of lambs; but this would be common for TRAVELERS, regardless of the financial status, especially at census time when (likely) many of the lambs had been purchased.

Either way, I don't see any contradictions with the Biblical text (although it may affect how you see Jesus in later life, somewhat). He is still Messiah, and still the Anointed One. Merry Christmas!

[Tax-chick]

I just learned what I want to do with the rest of my Christmas money! Where do I order these tapes? !!!

I think the article raises some interesting points, and it does answer the question of why the Wise Men found Jesus in a "house." I remember asking our deacon about that a few years ago, and he didn't have an answer.

Merry Christmas to all, and aren't we glad we're here, and not in the Middle East! (and it's a white Christmas in Oklahoma, way cool!)

[VOA]

Where do I order these tapes? !!!

here is the URL for Medved's tapes:
https://treefarmtapes.safeserver.com/catalog/conference.asp?conferenceid=509

and Merry Christmas to you and yours...

[Tax-chick]

Thanks!