"Away in a Manger, but Not in a Barn"

From the Iron Age Period a Stone manger discovered at Megiddo in Israel

Away in a Manger, But Not in a Barn” is part of a title in an excellent article written by Gary Byers who argues that Jesus was born on the lower level of a typical Palestinian home of the first century. He notes that “baby Jesus [was] placed in a manger on the ground floor of David’s ancestral home in Bethlehem because the upstairs ‘guest room’ was already full” (BAR, Nov. 2021). Thus, the typical portrayal of Joseph and Mary alone and “away” in a barn with animals during the birth of Jesus may not be completely accurate.

The word “inn” found in various translations of the birth narrative about Jesus is unfortunate (Luke 2:7). It implies some sort of hotel or community lodging, and that Mary and Joseph had no family with which to reside. Luke, the gospel writer, knew the general word for lodging (pandocheion) and used it in recounting the story Jesus told of the good Samaritan who took a helpless victim to a nearby inn (Luke 10:34). But, this is not the word found in the birth narrative about Jesus. Instead, the Greek word for “inn” (kataluma) found in Luke 2:7 is the same word used in Luke 22:11 in reference to where Jesus and his disciples partook of the Passover Meal, and which is further described as being in an “upper room” of a house (Luke 22:12). It seems certain then that Jesus was born on the premises of a housing unit, a house where relatives of his father’s family had gathered because of the requirements of the census issued by Cesar Augustus (Luke 2:1).

First century village of Kafar Ethra in the Judean Shephelah

The fact that there was “no room for them” in the normal lodging areas reserved for family or guest, such as in an “upper room”, meant that Joseph and Mary had to sleep on the ground floor; but it was not completely out and away from family. To be sure, Jesus was born under humble circumstances and likely near to animals. However, those animals were probably on the ground floor of a typical Jewish home likes those often discovered in smaller towns of the first century, and both the bible and archaeology can help explain why this may have been the case.

The Bible says that baby Jesus was placed in a manger, a word that means “feeding trough” (Kittle, TDNT); and this trough was probably very similar to the one found at Megiddo (pictured above), just across the valley from Nazareth. Stone mangers were common in the ancient world and many of these well-crafted feeding and watering troughs would have been the perfect place to lay a newborn child who had been swaddled in cloths (Luke 2:12). These troughs were not placed out and away in some pastureland but in locations inhabited by people. Occasionally, a house was built above a small cave or opening cut into bedrock such as the one I noticed while visiting the excavated site of first century village of Kafar Ethra in the Judean Shephelah. As I explored, I was blessed to see in the basement/cave of the house the remains of one of these stone mangers.

Stone manger beneath a first-century Jewish home in Kafar Ethra, Israel

Thus, while I do believe Joseph and Mary’s accommodations were less than desirable, and most likely nearby to a prized or daily use animal kept on the ground floor of average homes in smaller towns (e.g. a donkey, ox, or sacrificial lamb), it seems unlikely that they were alone and without family to assist. I also believe that baby Jesus was secure and comfortable not only in the arms of a loving mother, but also as he lay asleep in his “crib.”

There are indeed things being done and said during the Christmas season that aren’t always consistent with the Bible, such as the Lord being born “away” in a manager as the song implies (though I do understand poetic license). Nevertheless, I do think we should consider the beauty of the words uttered in that well known song called “Away in a Manager," especially those uttered in the often forgotten verses of this familiar carol.

Illustration of single and two story dwellings from Kafar Ethra

"I love You, Lord Jesus

Look down from the sky

And stay by my side

Until morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus

I ask You to stay

Close by me forever

And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children

In Your tender care

And fit us for heaven

To live with You there"

Sadly, the Christmas season is often characterized by consumerism and an emphasis upon material wealth to the neglect of the spiritual and our relationship with God. May that never be the case for those who are seeking to follow Jesus. During the holiday season, and throughout the year, let us remember the love of God, the joy that surrounded the arrival of Jesus (Luke 2:8-14), the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, and the true circumstances connected to his birth.

Today, and every day, we should unashamedly confess that Jesus was “manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, was preached among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16). And, whether he was born in a home, or off in the barn, what matters the most is that he was born, and in this we greatly rejoice.

By John W. Moore

Works Cited

Byers, Gary. Associates for Biblical Research. “Away in a Manger, But Not in A Barn: An Archaeological look at the Nativity” published on-line at ABR (November 15, 2021).

Gerhard Kittel, Geoffrey W. Bromiley, and Gerhard Friedrich. Theological dictionary of the New Testament 1964–: 49. Print.