Imagine if we could rewind over two millennia and sprinkle a little modern tech magic on the first Christmas. Picture Bethlehem, not just as a bustling biblical town but as a hotspot for the wonders of IoT. From Mary and Joseph’s quest for lodging to the journey of the wandering wise men guided by more than just a star, let’s explore, and smirk, at the idea of an IoT-enabled nativity, and see how it might have added a touch of convenience to these timeless events.
In case it’s been a while since you last donned a makeshift shepherd’s robe or angel wings in your school nativity, allow me to jog your memory about the basics of the biblical story. Mary, a young woman with the world’s most surprising pregnancy news, and Joseph, her betrothed, trek to Bethlehem to comply with a Roman census. Upon arrival, they find every inn bursting at the seams, leaving them with no choice but to take shelter in a humble stable. There, amongst hay and livestock, Mary gives birth to Jesus. This extraordinary event doesn’t go unnoticed – a particularly bright star in the night sky guides some wise men to the stable, bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (not your typical baby shower fare). Out in the fields, shepherds are alerted to this miraculous birth by an angel, and they too come to see this new arrival. And thus unfolds the Nativity, a story celebrated for centuries around the globe.
IoT-enabled inn hunting
Mary and Joseph’s arduous journey to Bethlehem, fraught with the uncertainty of finding lodging, could have been significantly eased with IoT. Picture a scenario where inns in Bethlehem are equipped with real-time occupancy sensors. These sensors are connected to a centralised network (let’s call it ‘Inn-ternet of Things’) that updates vacancy signs automatically. Mary and Joseph, armed with a simple app, could check for available rooms in real-time, saving them from the door-to-door inquiries and eventually, the manger scenario. Even if they didn’t get coverage to check the app, the occupancy sensors could have updated the vacancy sign hanging outside each inn and save Joseph the time talking to each inn keeper.
Wise Men: navigating with IoT precision
The journey of the wise men, traditionally guided by a star, could have taken a tech-savvy turn with IoT. Instead of celestial navigation, imagine if they were using a GPS-enabled app, directing them to the exact location of the newborn king. Real-time traffic updates via camel-back, and route optimization to avoid Roman checkpoints meant they could have saved some enough time to think about better gifts to bring the baby Jesus (I mean, what is a baby supposed to do with myrrh anyway?).
Shepherds and livestock management
Over in the fields, the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night could have had a more relaxed night with IoT-powered livestock management. Sensors attached to their sheep could alert them to any wandering flock members or potential threats from wolves all from the comfort of their huts. Although that situation may have seen them miss the same star that saw them join the party at the manger, if they had seen it they could have came to the already cramped manger without bring their lambs as plus ones – something Mary would have likely preferred.
Manger 2.0: IoT for comfort
The humble manger itself could have been upgraded with IoT for enhanced comfort and safety. Temperature sensors ensuring the hay was neither too hot nor too cold, smart lighting to create a serene ambiance, and perhaps a baby monitor to alert Mary and Joseph if baby Jesus needed attention. This way, the manger would not just be a makeshift solution but a connected, comfortable cradle – allowing the pair to sleep in peace knowing there is something monitoring Jesus…besides god that is.
Conclusion
While the original Christmas story has its charm and magic, one can’t help but wonder how IoT might have added a dash of modern-day convenience to the narrative. From hassle-free inn hunting to high-tech navigation for the wise men, and a connected manger experience, IoT could have ensured that the first Christmas was not just holy but also smartly managed. However, let’s be grateful for the simplicity of the times – after all, some of the best stories are about being connected to people, but offline.
There’s plenty of other editorial on our sister site, Electronic Specifier! Or you can always join in the conversation by commenting below or visiting our LinkedIn page.