Getting the Manger Scene Right?

Sometimes people have a bit of irreverent but harmless fun playing with a manger (creche, nativity) scene on their table, putting characters or other objects in them that clearly do not belong. The humor comes from knowledge of inaccuracy.

People who have seriously read articles and watched videos that carefully examine the biblical text may not care for manger scenes. When I was younger, I put the Magi figures away from the manger because they were en route. But what has been added to or taken away from biblical history?

Nativity scene, Unsplash / Rick Oldland

That's right, the Magi (probably an entourage, not just three) were not there to see the infant Jesus. They saw him as a child in a house. Ever notice that the majority of creche scene makers do not realize that those involved were Jewish? Then there's that business about the hotel and the cold-hearted innkeeper who turned Joseph and Mary away, but his wife took care of them...cool story, bro.

A question on the accuracy of how people portray the biblical account was submitted to Creation Ministries International. To read the question and the reply, click on "Added details to Christ’s birth story?" Since I know there are things that are not quite right, I choose to simply live with it.