Have You Been Quoting Nativity Inconsistencies? (Small Group Study)
Tradition or Truth?
As we work our way through the month of December, we have continued with our Ignited Christmas series. In this series, we’ve used some of IgniterMedia.com‘s Christmas Mini-Movies. Today, we’ll be looking at some of the Nativity story inconsistencies and inaccuracies that we quote as Believers.
We’ll find out thatwhat we assume is true, is not actually found in the scriptural accounts of Christ’s birth.
The REAL Nativity Story
Growing up, I always trusted the lyrics of the Christmas favourite, “Away In A Manger” as completely accurate. We all have loved the scene that is represented in the following lyrics: “…little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes.” However, once our first son was born, I realized a serious lyrical inconsistency with this Christmas masterpiece.
I get it that we all love the idea of baby Jesus being this perfect baby that never cried. But, it would seem inconsistent with the Scriptural concepts that show His humility; entering the world as a human, and experiencing the struggles of life, including tears.
Small Group Video
Here’s a short titled “Retooning The Nativity” by IgniterMeda.com, that points out some of the inconsistencies and inaccuracies of the quoted Nativity story vs. the Nativity story that we find in Scripture.
Trade nostalgia for logic for a moment.
If we ignore the Scriptural argument, let’s just look at it logically. How does a baby communicate a need or want to his or her mother? They communicate through crying. How would Mary know when baby Jesus was hungry, cold, tired, or soiled?
Surely, angelic messengers weren’t charged with proclaiming dirty diapers!
Baby Jesus would have likely communicated with Mary in the same fashion as every other baby before and after Him. The concept of baby Jesus not crying, is not the only song-lyric-gone-Scripture assumption that we have placed into the Nativity story.
Throughout the years we have accepted a number of details as fact, when they aren’t really facts at all. As Believers, can we truly recite the Biblical Nativity story to our unbelieving friends and neighboursincluding details that are actually fictional?
Small Group Discussion
- What were your initial feelings about this week’s Igniter Media video?
- How have your thoughts or opinions on the Nativity changed, after seeing this video?
- In the past, which false pieces of the Nativity story have you been taught or perhaps, just assumed?
- Now that you have some accurate information; as a group, once again try to recite the true Christmas story, as if someone had never heard it before.
- Look up Matthew 1:18-2:12. How did you do this week? Did you forget any details?
Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts
- How have you been quoting Nativity story inconsistencies?
- What other false nativity details have you heard before?
- Why do you think song lyrics are so prone to inaccurisies?
i like this post.
my biggest annoyance of the Christmas story is when the wise men join at the stable when i’ve only read it being that when they arrive Jesus isn’t referred to as a baby anymore.. he’s hot hanging out in the manger anymore.. Dan and I used to set up our nativity characters with the wise men somewhere else in the room, on their way to see the Christ child.
so – i liked that video, it definitely gives one a chance to think about what the Scriptures really say.. i do like that he points out the most important fact being the babe born that night.
Thanks for your comment Michelle! Love the idea of the wisemen being elsewhere in the room. Perhaps, each day after Christmas they could gradually approach. On second thought, the ‘stable’ would be empty by that point wouldn’t it? Well, Dan’s good at wood-working, building and such. He could make a little Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Egypt; recreating the whole event! I wonder if having King Herod as part of one’s Nativity set would have the same marketability? Not to mention the baby boys that were slaughtered! Should they be included? On second thought, better stick to the stable and leave the wisemen across the room on the bookshelf. Too much accuracy to the whole Nativity story is a lot to stomach!
Well, I’ve finally ‘discovered’ your blog as you can tell by this my second comment. Thanks for bringing this out. Seeing the video shared at the Christmas banquet was great. Since I’m such a stickler for details I loved hearing that many of our favourite misconceptions about the Christmas story were being exploded. Especially that it is done in such a non-judgemental and humorous way, that no one can really take offense.
Glad to hear that you shared it with the folks on Alaska last year. It seems as we get closer to His Second Advent He is helping us more and more to understand the realities surrounding the first (including the slaughter of the innocents). Does God not want us to know the Real Story? I think He does because it actually is always more exciting and healing than the one of legend and myth.
Thanks, again, for bringing our focus back to the details in fun and enjoyable fashion.
Thanks Don! I have shown this video click to a number of folks. If you haven’t already, check out IgniterMedia.com. These guys do a great job at designing all sorts of videos (comical and dramatic), to wake Christians up to some key truths (as in the video above).
Also, thanks for giving my blog a read. I appreciate your support in my writing! Maybe one day I’ll get my book finished!?!?