It’s that time of year again when the nativity scene is in vogue and its varied interpretations.

A church in California depicts Jesus, Mary and Joseph as encaged refugees.

The famous anonymous Banksy shows his “modified nativity” where the manger is set behind “Israel's separation barrier, which appears to have been pierced by a blast, creating the shape of a star.”

A residence in the US has two Josephs.

A Christmas card depicts Mary and Joseph in an urban American setting.

And then there’s the gadget-laden nativity.

Why the popularity in re-interpreting the nativity? A lecturer at Yale Divinity School said that the “image remains a moving visual even in increasingly secular societies as it is 'a recognizable, powerful image (that) can ‘be utilized to say something very profound about contemporary issues.’” The problem here is that these interpretations have hijacked the real message to communicate their own. The two Josephs is the worst offender as its message goes against biblical teaching.

The others have taken the universal message of man’s need for a Savior to something micro that serves only to advance a political agenda at the expense of facts like the refugee portrayal. Jesus, along with His earthly parents, were never refugees.

The gadget nativity generated “a good laugh” when it came out a few years ago. One who truly understands the true story will not be splitting his sides.

As for the urban depiction, it might be the closest to the intent of the true message. Its creator wrote in his blog, “the viewer is looking at it as if from across the street or from the warmth and safety of his or her passing car. I have a small hope that this Christmas image will come to mind when we see other ‘down and out’ people huddling outside of gas stations, reminding us that our Savior’s parents (and indeed, Jesus himself) were at one time similarly troubled.” Note I said “closest” because it is not the main message.

Yes, the urban Joseph and Mary were weary and lacking in outside help and support but that is not the point. The birth narrative shows the humility of the King whose hand sustains the universe leaving His royal heavenly throne to enter into the lowliest of state. It is not about the parents but the baby who 33 years later would be crucified by the very people whom He loved so much that He was willing to lay down His life for. And that is the true message of the nativity. After all, He is the reason for the season.