What was it really like? - the night Jesus was born? We know he was born in a stable, not a house. We know his parents were very poor, because: Jewish law said "every firstborn son must be redeemed with a lamb" ... but if someone could not afford a lamb, they could redeem him with a dove or two young pigeons. And Jesus was redeemed at the temple with two young pigeons. Joseph and Mary were expecting to arrive in Bethlehem and be with relatives for the baby's birth. They were not prepared to give birth in a stable. What was it really like?