The Nativity

By David A. Edwards

Church Magazines

Learn about this familiar Christmas scene and how it helps us focus on the Savior.

Bethlehem

Bethlehem means “house of bread” in Hebrew. It is sometimes called the city of David, from whose lineage the Messiah was prophesied to come (see Jeremiah 23:5; John 7:42). Samuel anointed David king at Bethlehem (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13). It was prophesied that the Messiah would be born there (see Micah 5:2).

Inn

The Greek word for inn could mean any temporary lodging, including a guest room. Mary “laid [the Christ Child] in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7). (The Joseph Smith Translation says “inns.”) “No room” could mean they were turned away or that no place they might have stayed had room to deliver a baby. In any case, they went someplace where there was a manger.

Manger

A manger is an elevated box or trough that holds food for animals. In ancient Judea, these were mostly made of stone. Inns had central courtyards with mangers, and many homes also had mangers in the large main room so that animals could be kept there overnight.

Swaddling Clothes

Mothers have been swaddling newborns (wrapping them in a blanket or cloth) for thousands of years. This calms and comforts them after the shock of leaving the womb. The cloth that Mary used may have had a special marking unique to the family.

Mary and Joseph

They were good and righteous people, and both descendants of David. Each had been visited by an angel in preparation for the Savior’s birth (see Matthew 1:18–25; Luke 1:26–38). They traveled 100–140 km (60–90 miles) to Bethlehem. Mary was pregnant during the journey.

Shepherds

Shepherds were tending their flocks near Bethlehem. According to some scholars, only sheep meant for temple sacrifices were allowed to be raised near a city. So these shepherds may have been tending sheep that would represent Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for us (see Moses 5:6–7). They left their flocks to see the Messiah, whose atoning sacrifice would do away with the sacrifice of animals.

The Christ Child

Jesus Christ is the central figure of the Nativity scene—and our lives.