Holy Textures

Matthew 2:1-12

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Verse  1 - "In the time of King Herod" This King Herod died in 4 BC.

             - "wise men from the East" They were astrologers, probably not kings.

Verse  2 - "observed his star at its rising" probably refers to a comet. "At its rising" could also be translated as "at the place of the rising of the sun, i.e., the east." Celestial events such as this were understood to be omens of the future. That this comet is understood to be a sign of the birth of a "child who has been born King of the Jews" is particularly frightening to Herod since HE is King of the Jews and this unknown child is a threat to him and his heirs.

Matthew 1:18-25

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Verse 1:18 - "engaged" is misleading. Mary and Joseph have been betrothed - that is, solemnly contracted by their families to be married at some later date.

                 - "she was found to be with child" is a curious use of the passive voice. Who has done the finding? The text gives no indication. The fact that Mary is pregnant before she and Joseph have married is shameful in the extreme - both for Mary and her family. That the child is "from the Holy Spirit" confuses the situation since that is a great honour. In hindsight, it is the honour that has won the day. However, at the time, and in the actual circumstance, it is Mary's shame that guides Joseph's initial response.

Advent 3

We're doing a Christmas Pageant this week, so I haven't gotten to a text this week. But I have just finished posting a brilliant sermon from my friend, George Hermanson at www.georgehermanson.com.

George starts with an observation about how waiting helps shape our emotions, helps us to sift and sort healthy from unhealthy ones; and then how Joy is the antidote that overcomes the false comfort that fear would have us live with. Check it out.

Luke 2:1-20

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Luke's historical details for the birth of Jesus are problematic.

Luke 1:5, "In the days of King Herod," who died in 4 BC.

Luke 2:1, "In those days a decree went out from Emperor (or Caesar) Augustus that all the world should be registered," places the birth anytime between 27 BC to 14 AD, the length of the very long reign of Augustus.

Luke 2:2, "This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria," places the date at 6 or 7 AD.

Most scholars agree that Luke and Matthew's reference to "In the days of King Herod," is the most reliable reference and that Jesus was born sometime before Herod's death in 4 BC.