Luke 2:3-7 - Placed in a Manger

2:3,4

So everyone went to their home town. Joseph was of the house of David and lineage of David, so he went to Bethlehem. Micah 5:2 says: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” 2:5-7 We are very familiar with nativity plays, we need to be aware that nativity plays embroider the Biblical accounts somewhat. For instance you will look in vain for mention of a donkey. Also the innkeeper is sometimes made out to be rather mean in refusing to give them a room. Again, that is not part of the Biblical account. It is simply that the town was busy and there were no rooms left. What is Biblical is that Mary was pregnant and gave birth while they were in Bethlehem. A manger was a feeding trough for the animals. It would have been quite natural for Joseph and Mary to feel rather embarrassed about the whole situation, though the angel’s visiting of both Mary and Joseph may have reassured them somewhat.