Dear Editor,

I’m grateful to know the Banner staff did not write it, but I would like to point out some gross factual inaccuracies from the “Christmas tidbits” section in the December 4 paper. Jesus was not born in a shepherds’ cave and they did not help Mary find shelter. The gospel of Luke actually says, “So they [shepherds] hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.” Luke 2:16 NIV
Jesus was already born in the town of Bethlehem when the shepherds had to leave where they were and hurry off to Bethlehem to find baby Jesus. Additionally, He was most certainly born and laid in a manger – Luke 2 verses 7, 12, and 16 all say manger.
There are many misconceptions surrounding the Savior’s birth, but a plain reading of the Bible will clear up the details. For example, Mary probably wasn’t rushing to find a place to give birth, Luke 2:6 says, “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,”…while they were there. And there was no innkeeper either, despite what every Christmas play you’ve ever seen says! A great website to help clear some of these traditional misconceptions is:
https://answersingenesis.org/holidays/christmas/born-in-a-barn-stable/
Bryan Condy
Felton