Why this is known to be a kataluma will be revealed in about 10 weeks from now, in my Capernaum segment of documentary with Dr. Fleming.
Numerous scholars that study cultures in the middle east believe the “inn” is different from our old understanding of the story in Luke 2:7. Even the fact that Jesus was “wrapped in swaddling clothes” is likely different from what we’re used to thinking. This doesn’t change the application of the old traditional story. There was no room for Jesus, which also happens too often in our hearts. But we’re out of touch, reading into these stories our westernized culture instead of the middle eastern culture. Is it a good idea to stay ignorant when the correct knowledge is readily available? That’s what this blog is about.
In different books, I’ve read hospitality was critical in Bible times, and expected of everyone. Travel was more dangerous, travellers more vulnerable, worn out from walking, and needy. There were “inns” in Bible times, but they were
generally located on the outskirts of a town…large complexes…a square…open centre was an ample courtyard for the unloading, feeding, and stabling of animals, while the quadrangular structure surrounding it contained a continuous series of small chambers
–from the Reader’s Digest “Jesus and his Times.” In other words, it wasn’t private where the animals and manger were. But scholars think it was unlikely Mary and Joseph would’ve wanted to stay there anyway.
Joseph had to go to “his own town” (Luke 2:3) to be enumerated for taxation, so he likely had at least distant, if not immediate relatives in Bethlehem. It was even more incumbent upon relatives to look out for each other when traveling. Archaeology reveals they all lived in “insulas” back then, which were like mini city blocks surrounded by high walls. Grandparents, kids, grandchildren and perhaps even great-grandparents all lived together (see more in my pictures). Insulas always had the best room reserved for company, called the kataluma.
Scholars now believe the relatives had no room in the kataluma. So the relatives found another place for Mary and Joseph, where the animals were kept. If this were a cave (which is quite possible), this could’ve been nicer. Because caves were slightly warmer on chilly and windy nights than homes could be. Homes didn’t have glass windows or insulated walls back then. Instead, the earth of a cave maintained a more moderate temperature throughout the year, compared to the stone walls of the homes in the first century.
GotQuestions.org says this about swaddling clothes:
are…essentially ‘wrapping’ an infant tightly in cloth. The idea…is…it helps the baby transition from the womb (a very snug place) to the outside world…swaddling has been proved to help infants sleep better, to prevent them from scratching themselves, and to reduce the risk of SIDS…. Many cultures still practice swaddling today.
Now, why should any of these details matter to us? They don’t affect us today or at Christmas time. But think about what creates a cynical attitude in anyone: it’s the many decisions an individual makes to not care about the many day-to-day things that one should care about. We all project onto others and onto God our own failings. Add to this the many lies and half truths that surround us. Who knows what to believe? Like Pilot when trying Jesus, we would tend to throw up our hands exclaiming, “What is truth?” Unless we make a practice of holding a tenacious grip on truth–all truth. The more we cling to it, the more we know truth is out there, and the more we adhere to a quest for it. Then the more our confidence can grow when we arrive at it. About this pattern of living I encourage you to consider your ways.