'We three kings of Orient are'- says who?
I love a good Nativity play!
You know the story;
- Mary and Joseph knock on the Inn Keeper's door, and are told to go away;
- They are offered a place in a stable;
- A doll appears in the crib;
- Shepherds appear with tea towels on their heads, possibly carrying toy lambs;
- Immediately followed by three kings wearing paper crowns;
- Mums, Dads, grandparents and friends all cheer enthusiastically.
Great! Christmas really begins when I see a Nativity Play.
But how accurate is the usual Nativity story?
Who says they were kings? The Bible refers to MAGI- not kings. Magi were said to be scholars who studied astronomy and astrology. This made then very wealthy, as people would pay to have their futures revealed by such revered and clever people. The term Magi is also said to be gender neutral- so some of the 'wise men' could have been women!!
Who says there were three of them? Again, the Bible does not suggest the number of Magi seeking Jesus. Given the length of the journey they undertook, it is quite possible that these rich, clever people would have been accompanied by servants- to set up camp along the journey; to prepare the food; and to look after the animals. The 'party' of Magi could have been much more than three. The Bible refers to three gifts that they brought with them- gold, frankincense and myrrh- but there is no suggestion that there were only three of them.
Who says they came to the stable or manger shortly after the baby was born? Again, the Bible suggests that they came to the 'place' or 'house' where the 'child' was. Luke reports that the Shepherds had visited a 'baby' lying in a manger. By the time that the Magi visited Jesus he is referred to as a 'child' living in a 'house' with Mary. Some scholars suggest that the visit by the Magi could have been as much as two years after the birth, when Mary and Joseph were staying in Bethlehem, possibly with Joseph's family. This would also make sense when considering that King Herod ordered the killing of all the boys (not babies) in Bethlehem up to the age of two!
But, I am not a killjoy (Oh no, I'm not!)
I am very happy for the Nativity story to be re-told annually in Christmas plays and stories, even if they are not 100% accurate. The important thing is that children grow up with knowledge of the importance of the coming of Jesus into the world- and that this is told in enjoyable and memorable ways.