The word "inn" appears only two times in the Bible and both of them are in the Book of Luke. In Luke 10:34 the Good Samaritan took the wounded man to an inn. The word inn was taken from the Greek word "pandocheion" which means a public lodging place. Luke 1:7 tells us that Mary laid JESUS in a manger because there was no room in the inn. In this verse the word inn was not taken from "pandocheion", but was taken from "kataluma" which means a lodging place in which a journey is broken up or ended. This could mean a house, an inn, or some other place, etc. The word "kataluma" was mistakenly translated as "inn." Had He been born at an inn, then the word "pandocheion" would have been used, since Luke used this word in the "Parable of the Good Samaritan". But he didn't, he used the word "kataluma" which is defined in Matthew 2:11 as a house. I believe the main reason for thinking that JESUS was born in a stall is because He was laid in a "manger", which comes from the Greek word "phatne" which means a crib for fodder, associated with the feeding of animals. It was concluded that mangers were only to be found in stables which would be found at inns and in barns, etc. This is where an understanding of Middle Eastern life in that area is necessary. Mangers were also found at peasants' or farmers' houses which the common people lived in. These houses usually had an area at one end that only had three walls with one side open to the outside, something like a back porch which led into a patio or open area, etc. On one or two sides were to be found mangers, which were usually made of wood or stone. During the Winter months the mangers were used to feed the animals which were kept close to the house because it was too cold to tend them in the fields. However, during the warm months of Spring and Summer, the mangers were cleaned out and fresh straw and bedding was added. They were then used as cribs for babies or beds for small children. Meanwhile, the animals were taken out to the fields.
Because of the mistranslated Greek word, it was thought that a kindly innkeeper let Mary and Joseph use a stall in the stables, because there was no room in the inn. Joseph had to return to the place of his birth in order to comply with the order given by Caesar Augustus to pay taxes. Joseph would not have stayed at an inn, because he would have stayed with relatives, probably the house he grew up in. People in the Middle East back then, didn't move every few years like a lot of the American population does today. They stayed in the same house for life and then it was passed onto their children or nearest relative. People in the Middle East are very adamant about hospitality. No innkeeper in his right mind would have caused a pregnant woman to have her baby born in a dirty animal stall. He would have given her his own room instead, if needs be. Any innkeeper who would have done such a thing back then, would have probably been stoned to death. If you had a Western ranch hotel and a man with a pregnant wife getting ready to give birth came to your place, would you have them sleep in the stables? Also, even though there were cheaper places, inns were mostly for rich people, such as kings, princes and wealthy merchants, etc. Joseph was not a poor man like some stories suggest. He was a well-known carpenter and a good one. Common people at that time and place did not usually accumulate or use gold coins and precious jewels, etc. Those things were usually reserved for the rich. People like Joseph made what they needed and traded for the rest. Even if he could afford it, why would Joseph have spent good money to stay at a place full of strangers, when he could stay with relatives or friends for free?
It also must be noted that Mary didn't have JESUS the same day that she arrived in town like the "inn theory" would have you believe. Joseph and Mary had spent a certain amount of time in the house before JESUS was born. Just how many days or weeks we don't know. Luke 2:6 tells us: "And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered."
The firstborn of any man child in that area back then was a big event such as marriages. Since it was a small town, people from all over Bethlehem, even Roman soldiers stationed there and travelers, would have stopped to see the baby. This is because being the firstborn, he would someday be the patriarch of the family. This is what is meant in the Bible when it says, "there was no room in the inn (house)." The house had become so crowded with well-wishers and other visitors, that Mary took JESUS to the back porch area and put Him in a manger which had already been cleaned and made ready for babies and small children. This way, everyone could see Him.
Another false tradition is that a heavenly body, meaning a star, shone over JESUS and showed the Wise Men where He was at. The star mentioned in the record of the birth of CHRIST was not a heavenly body, but an angel. Sometimes in the Bible, beings are referred to as stars. Revelation 22:16 tells us that JESUS is the bright and morning Star. Numbers 24:17 tells us that a Star, meaning JESUS, would rise out of Jacob. In Revelation 22:16, JESUS tells us that He sent His star to testify unto us. It was His angel/star which told Mary, the Wise Men and the shepherds about His coming. It was this same angel/star which the Wise Men saw in the East, led them to the new born King and stood over Him while he lay in the manger.
Even though he is King of kings, JESUS was born in a common man's house, rather than a palace. One reason being that in this way, GOD signified that His Son was for all people, not just the rich and that His Kingdom was not of this Earth, but of the perfect World which was to come. To have had JESUS born in a stable would have been ludicrous and would have signified nothing.
There are many rumors, and false deceptions which are causing us to become divided. Religious nonsense is one of them. I urge each person to study the Bible and the U.S. Constitution and learn the Truth and learn how your Government operates.
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
GARRY DASHNER