Holy Textures

Matthew 2:13-23

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It is difficult to be confident of the actual historicity of the events recorded in Matthew and Luke about the birth of Jesus.

Like our own family stories, they are recalled by second and third generations as a way of informing responses to questions of their identity: Who are we? How did we get to be here? Who were our ancestors and how were their lives formed? What events in their lives resulted in us being the people we have become? What honour and mandate have we inherited from our ancestors? What honour and mandate must we bestow on our descendants?

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.

Luke 1:26-38

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Note: I do not follow the Lectionary during Advent. In my humble opinion, folks need to hear the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus early and often to help counteract the massive promotion of Santa Claus and shopping. I also promote the singing of Christmas carols starting with Advent 1. For an excellent reflection on the Matthew text for Advent 1, check out this sermon by George Hermanson, Being A Light In Difficult Times.

Sandra Severs has produced some excellent Advent resources, Empire and Incarnation, which you can use by clicking here.

The history of the Church's reflection on the stories of Jesus' birth is probably as complicated and mysterious as the stories themselves. It is probably impossible for us to hear the birth stories - to "get" them - with same ears - the same understanding - as the first hearers would have.