About midway through our trip to Israel, we visited Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity. We stayed at a hotel on Manger Square for three nights, which gave us more time in this small town than most visitors typically have. Of all the holy sites we experienced in Israel, the Church of the Nativity stood out as my favorite.

Part of that was due to our incredible guide, but even more impactful was the deeper understanding I gained of the birth of Jesus through its historical and cultural context—insights I had never encountered before. I left Bethlehem with a renewed perspective on the birth of my Savior. Nothing I learned challenged my faith; instead, it strengthened it. The experience filled in gaps, connected dots I didn’t realize were missing, and deepened my understanding and appreciation of a story I’ve known my whole life.

Let’s start with the story most of us know:

Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Joseph’s hometown of Bethlehem because of the census. When they arrived in the crowded town, there was no room at the inn. Fortunately, there was space in a stable, where Mary gave birth to Jesus, surrounded by animals. She wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger. Joseph and Mary treasured what had happened.

Right?

Not exactly.

Much of this familiar version is shaped by translation choices and a modern, Western lens that misses important historical and cultural context. Let’s take a closer look at what likely happened.

Jesus Wasn’t Born in December

You may have already heard this—and I had too—that Christmas was placed on December 25 to coincide with a pagan holiday. But when you combine Scripture with historical and cultural information, it becomes clear that December was an unlikely time for Jesus’ birth.

While Israel is often thought of as desert, December is actually cold, wet, and messy. It would have been an impractical time to conduct a census. Most historians believe a census would have taken place after the harvest and before harsh winter weather set in.

Luke 2 also tells us that shepherds were in the fields at night tending their flocks when Jesus was born. Shepherds typically remained in the fields from early spring through October; it would have been too cold to do so in December. Our guide also explained that shepherds would not have been in these particular fields while crops were growing, pointing instead to a fall timeframe.

Many biblical scholars use historical records to estimate that Jesus was born in mid to late September. Based on the priestly duties of Zechariah—when he was told by an angel that he would have a son—it is likely that John the Baptist was conceived in June. Six months later, Mary was visited by the angel Gabriel. When you follow the timeline, it points to a September birth for Jesus.

Joseph and Mary Would Not Have Stayed at an Inn

Bethlehem was Joseph’s ancestral hometown, meaning he almost certainly had extended family there—uncles, aunts, cousins. Even if he had never met them personally, sharing his family lineage would have been enough to be directed to his family home. The idea that Joseph and Mary would not have stayed with family is highly unlikely.

Much of the confusion comes from the word “inn,” translated from the Greek word kataluma. While kataluma can mean “inn,” it can also mean “guest room” or “private upper room.” It is the same word used to describe the room where Jesus and the disciples shared the Last Supper. This space was typically reserved for guests or special gatherings.

It is likely that other relatives had already arrived in Bethlehem for the census and the kataluma was full, leaving no space for Mary and Joseph.

Jesus Wasn’t Born in a Stable

So where did they stay?

They remained in the lower portion of the home, where the animals were kept. In ancient Palestinian homes, a family’s most valuable possessions were gold and livestock—often sheep. These animals were typically kept in the back, lowest section of the home for protection. Many homes were single-room structures, with very little separation between the living space and the animals.

Mary and Joseph stayed in this lower area, among the sheep, in the family home. When Jesus was born, they were not isolated in a lonely stable far from others. Instead, they were likely surrounded by family, sharing in a moment of joy and celebration.

The Church of the Nativity was later built over this home. As early as the first century, a holy site was established over the cave or grotto believed to mark the location of Jesus’ birth. While it’s possible the exact spot cannot be confirmed, the fact that it was recognized as a holy site within 100 years of Jesus’ birth makes it very likely to be authentic. The cave beneath the church aligns with biblical, historical, and cultural descriptions, including an upper guest room and a lower area where animals were kept.

This knowledge didn’t change my faith—but it deepened it.

I love the idea that Joseph and Mary weren’t alone that night. I love imagining them surrounded by family, celebrating together. As Christmas approaches this year, the way I picture the birth of Jesus will be different than it has been in the past. I’ll remember standing in the cave where He entered the world. What an incredible experience it was to be in that place.