This is a Christmas reflection in an attempt to separate fact from fiction. Last year I became acutely aware how much myth has crept into church presentations of the story. I felt that if we allow ourselves to stray beyond the text of scripture then our story of the birth of Christ might have more in common with stories of Santa than me might want.
Of course this could be "grumpy old man" syndrome, but its isn't just that we sanitize the story each year; we really include non-biblical imagery and story aspects. In a story so important surely this should not be so. At a time when, according to a poll this Christmas, many do not believe the biblical story of the birth of Christ, surely we owe it to the world (and our congregations) to tell it as it is.
Let's start with that donkey. Where did he come from? No reference to him in the scriptures. The journey from Nazareth could be around 80 miles (130 km) and the route was difficult and the road would have been poor. Mary is heavily pregnant. I'm not sure that riding a donkey would have been the best option and a cart would have been an alternative. Anyway, since the donkey does not get a mention in scripture let's stop putting him into our version.
It would have taken several days and it looks as if Mary and Joseph arrived at Bethlehem well after others had got there, as we get the "no room at the inn" aspect. So in nativity plays a little boy in a brown dressing gown and a tea towel round his head confronts numerous pub landlords only to be repeatedly told that there is "no room". Now while we do know that some kind of hospitality facility existed (Luke tells us about that in the story of the Good Samaritan) it is unlikely that these were plentiful or that they had much in common either with English pubs or hotels. But the scripture text has much more to tell us.
The only reference to the situation where Jesus was born comes from Luke. Chapter 2 verse 7 tells us that Jesus was laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Later Luke tells us that when the shepherds visit they found Jesus lying in a manger.We'll come back to the manger in a moment but the only reference to an inn is that one brief comment in chapter 2. The word in the New Testament Greek is kataluma and Luke uses this word twice in his gospel and Mark uses it once. It is not found in John or Matthew. Apart from this one occasion in Luke 2 the other occasions translate it as guestchamber (AV) - the place where the last supper was held. Since both Mary and Joseph hailed from Bethlehem it would not be unreasonable to suppose that they might have made a beeline for a relatives house, especially in her condition.
Possibly also of significance is that when Luke tells the story of the Good Samaritan the man who fell among thieves is taken not to a kataluma but to a pandocheion. So in the Greek text in which the gospel was originally written Luke makes a distinction. But the translators of the King James Bible exceptionally wrote "inn". This anomaly has also led to the myth of a landlord providing a stable round the back.
Is there evidence for a stable? Early Christian tradition suggests a cave, but what does the Bible tell us? Nothing! The only evidence is a "manger". This was a rack used for holding hay and may well have been wall-mounted as is common around the world today. It certainly could not have been anything like the twee thing you see on Christmas cards and all too often in our churches! What animals might eat from a manger? Certainly not sheep. Pigs would have also been out of the question. It would have to be larger animals such as donkeys or oxen, and a larger wall mounted manger would therefore have been more appropriate.
So that pretty wooden stable and the pretty little trough are very unlikely. In many houses in that part of the world it would not have been uncommon then (and indeed it is not now in rural areas) to live upstairs above an area where animals might be kept at times and where hay and wheat might have been stored. My guess is that upstairs guest room was already bursting at the seems and they ended up downstairs.
Moving on we read about the visit of the shepherds who had heard the news from an angel. I love this part of the story. These men (socially insignificant) are living out in the fields and were keeping an eye on their sheep when an angel appears and the glory of the Lord shines around them. Then a "heavenly host" appears speaking words of praise to God. No reference here to creatures with wings suspended in mid air and singing!
You might have thought that this experience was something worth telling. "Hey you'll never guess but we have just been visited by angels"! But instead it is the message they received that impacts them so they go to check it out as fast as they can. Here we get another glimpse into the birthplace of Jesus. But wait a minute they went in a hurry the scripture said so they certainly would not have travelled with sheep as that can take ages! So no sheep and no reference to the presence of angels, oxen, asses or robins then! No reference here to a star a few feet over a wooden stable either.
It is Matthew who tells us about the Magi. There is no reference to three "kings" and even calling them "wise men" might not be exactly helpful. They were some kind of astrologers but nowhere does it say how many came on that journey. We know from the text that there were at least two of them. The fact that there were three kinds of gifts does not necessarily imply three of them. So the picture of three kings in their crowns each holding a distinctly different gift is not part of the textual account either!
It is worth noting that the Magi found Jesus and Mary in a "house" and not that wooden stable thing on the Christmas card. Could it be that some relatives have already gone home and they had at last been able to move upstairs? Of course, Mary might still have been in the downstairs part of the house as that would also fit the text, but then rule out completely the cave as well as a stable.
The exact timing of this visit is a mystery. We can assume that it would have been after Mary and Joseph had taken Jesus to the temple to "present him to the Lord" and make a sacrifice. So this would have been at least 40 days after the birth as Mary was ceremonially unclean until that time.
The fact that Herod had children under two years old killed does not necessarily imply that the Magi arrived two years after the birth, of course.
So let's take stock. We've lost that donkey and assorted animals. We have no chain of inns, we have no twee little trough. We do have angels but not necessarily with wings or suspended from the sky. We have no kings just an unknown number of astrologers coming to a house.
Much more important is that when we strip away all the unbiblical Christmas card images we are left as the shepherds were with the heart of the story. Remember what excited them was not being visited by angels but what they had been told. Luke tells us that after they had seen the evidence for themselves what they told others was what they had been told: "A Saviour has been born to you - Christ the Lord".
Let's not lose sight of the real value of the present within the wrapping paper.
Wednesday 24 December 2008
Don't Justs Stand There! Pray Something!
Like most people I occasionally have strange dreams that I cannot associate with anything that has been going on in my mind during the day. Today I awoke following one of these dreams and as I sought to understand it it has stimulated prayer.
In the dream I found myself making a pastoral visit to a young man who i found stuck in bed, physically incapacitated (apparently the consequence of a serious injury), and in a room not large enough to swing that proverbial cat. Also with him was a female care worker or therapist of some kind. With me was a young assistant learning to do pastoral visiting.
As we entered this space my associate greeted the young man heartily in an unnaturally loud voice. This immediately provoked a negative response and all his anger and frustration just boiled over. I tried to smooth the situation over by pointing out that often people feel a little insecure and uncertain on such occasions and, without thinking, raise their voices as if this will somehow improve the communication. But of course the man angrily pointed out that he wasn't deaf it was his ***** legs that wouldn't work!
He was so angry and frustrated that my gentle words and proffered hand were totally ignored. As I stood there looking at him, and the embarrassed and helpless look on the face of the care worker, I felt my own sense of helplessness in the situation. My sympathetic words and offered handshake were as equally useless as my associate's nervous greeting that had sparked off this scene.
As the man grew quiet I tried to respond to my new awareness of just how frustrated and angry this young man was by his incapacity. I sensed that boredom was a factor so I inquired whether they had any board games such as monopoly, adding quickly that I was only trying to understand the problem and not just offering stupid suggestions. The care worker assured me that they had plenty of such resources but that was not what was really needed.
It was then that I awoke with my brain still trying to come up with a solution that would ease that anger and frustration. As my consciousness increased I then began to reflect on the dream and to ponder whether there was any wider relevance or meaning to it. What came into my mind next really surprised me, for I found myself suddenly praying for Gordon Brown, our Prime Minister!
Here is a man whose expectations have been frustrated by events largely beyond his control that have incapacitated him. There is no obvious sure solution to his situation, and various financial and fiscal strategies so far suggested and implemented are about as helpful (at least at present) as a game of monopoly would be for the frustrated young man in my dream.
In my dream my reinforced understanding of the frustration and anger resulting from the incident that had rendered the man helpless and hopeless also left me aware that I had nothing that I could offer that was of myself. The only thing that I could do was offer prayers from a heart of faith that believed that God had the wisdom and the power to actually do something helpful.
So it was that I found myself praying for the Prime Minister and his government caught up in a global financial crisis, the impact of which is seriously affecting the lives of millions of people already and shaking whole political and economic systems in the world. I share this experience with anyone who reads this blog who, like me, has a relationship with God and knows the efficacy of prayer. At a time when we have no wisdom or power to change the situation that afflicts the world and incapacitates those in leadership let us use the resources available to us and pray. For the one who could really get us out of the mess is God himself and we really need that help.
In the dream I found myself making a pastoral visit to a young man who i found stuck in bed, physically incapacitated (apparently the consequence of a serious injury), and in a room not large enough to swing that proverbial cat. Also with him was a female care worker or therapist of some kind. With me was a young assistant learning to do pastoral visiting.
As we entered this space my associate greeted the young man heartily in an unnaturally loud voice. This immediately provoked a negative response and all his anger and frustration just boiled over. I tried to smooth the situation over by pointing out that often people feel a little insecure and uncertain on such occasions and, without thinking, raise their voices as if this will somehow improve the communication. But of course the man angrily pointed out that he wasn't deaf it was his ***** legs that wouldn't work!
He was so angry and frustrated that my gentle words and proffered hand were totally ignored. As I stood there looking at him, and the embarrassed and helpless look on the face of the care worker, I felt my own sense of helplessness in the situation. My sympathetic words and offered handshake were as equally useless as my associate's nervous greeting that had sparked off this scene.
As the man grew quiet I tried to respond to my new awareness of just how frustrated and angry this young man was by his incapacity. I sensed that boredom was a factor so I inquired whether they had any board games such as monopoly, adding quickly that I was only trying to understand the problem and not just offering stupid suggestions. The care worker assured me that they had plenty of such resources but that was not what was really needed.
It was then that I awoke with my brain still trying to come up with a solution that would ease that anger and frustration. As my consciousness increased I then began to reflect on the dream and to ponder whether there was any wider relevance or meaning to it. What came into my mind next really surprised me, for I found myself suddenly praying for Gordon Brown, our Prime Minister!
Here is a man whose expectations have been frustrated by events largely beyond his control that have incapacitated him. There is no obvious sure solution to his situation, and various financial and fiscal strategies so far suggested and implemented are about as helpful (at least at present) as a game of monopoly would be for the frustrated young man in my dream.
In my dream my reinforced understanding of the frustration and anger resulting from the incident that had rendered the man helpless and hopeless also left me aware that I had nothing that I could offer that was of myself. The only thing that I could do was offer prayers from a heart of faith that believed that God had the wisdom and the power to actually do something helpful.
So it was that I found myself praying for the Prime Minister and his government caught up in a global financial crisis, the impact of which is seriously affecting the lives of millions of people already and shaking whole political and economic systems in the world. I share this experience with anyone who reads this blog who, like me, has a relationship with God and knows the efficacy of prayer. At a time when we have no wisdom or power to change the situation that afflicts the world and incapacitates those in leadership let us use the resources available to us and pray. For the one who could really get us out of the mess is God himself and we really need that help.
Saturday 20 December 2008
Getting out of debt
There must be many people struggling with debt at the present who would find part of the book of Nehemiah (Old Testament of the Bible) uncannily relevant. The passage demonstrates how easy it is for debt to mount up and the need for fair and just solutions. Do read on...
The story of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem many years after the people had been conquered by the Babylonians and most taken into exile. This task was not only of practical value, it was also highly symbolic. Nehemiah's single-minded approach to this task for which he appears not to possess any natural ability is exceptional. The whole work is accomplished in just 52 days by mobilising and inspiring a work force. Yet in the middle of the task Nehemiah appears to take time out to address a major social issue - debt.
It is possible that the initial cause of the problem was a famine that had affected the area, pushing up the cost of food. But as so many have found today, it is all too easy to be caught in a debt spiral. In order to purchase food many had mortgaged their homes and land. But the cost of food was not the only problem. There were also taxes that had to be paid to the Babylonian empire. The only solution was taking out loans and it appears that there were plenty of loan sharks around charging high rates of interest. When all else failed the only way in which the poor could keep going was essentially to sell themselves into bonded service - a form of slavery. So the rich got richer and the poor got steadily poorer.
The first thing that Nehemiah did about this was to point out the immorality of the situation, and to shame the exploiters into appropriate action. The second thing he did was to stop the exorbitant interest charging on loans. The third thing he did was to take fiscal action and he immediately stopped claiming income to which he was entitled as the local governor. All of that would have been good but he went one stage further and opened up his home as a place of hospitality for others - a kind of early soup kitchen, only better!
When people get into financial difficulties they need help to get out of the mess, not help to get deeper into it. So I am encouraged by the many programmes that Christians and churches are engaging with in order to help those struggling with debt and money supply problems. Two are worth specific mention. They are "Christians Against Poverty" (www.capuk.org) and Credit Unions (www.abcul.org).
Credit Unions are not exclusively Christian but it is a movement with its roots in the Christian churches and many churches are involved. These are a source of well managed loans for people who would have difficulty borrowing from elsewhere and could become victims of loan sharks. They are properly managed and supervised by the FSA. Interest rates are charged but these are lower than elsewhere. Christians are encouraged to become savers with their local Credit Union. You can still earn some interest but know that you are helping others. Local Credit Unions often also welcome volunteers from churches.
Christians Against Poverty will provide immediate help for people already in trouble. They can help in a number of ways to stop the debts from spiralling and help people to manage their own way out of difficulty. Branches of CAP can be found all over the country run through local churches.
Jesus is in the business of setting people free, and that is just what he would want his people to do too. Both CAP and the CUs have responsible programmes for doing just that and every Christian could do something with either or both to make a real difference to someone today like those we read about in Nehemiah chapter 5. Whatever other priorities we may have (just as Nehemiah had) there are some issues that cannot be ignored.
The story of Nehemiah focuses on the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem many years after the people had been conquered by the Babylonians and most taken into exile. This task was not only of practical value, it was also highly symbolic. Nehemiah's single-minded approach to this task for which he appears not to possess any natural ability is exceptional. The whole work is accomplished in just 52 days by mobilising and inspiring a work force. Yet in the middle of the task Nehemiah appears to take time out to address a major social issue - debt.
It is possible that the initial cause of the problem was a famine that had affected the area, pushing up the cost of food. But as so many have found today, it is all too easy to be caught in a debt spiral. In order to purchase food many had mortgaged their homes and land. But the cost of food was not the only problem. There were also taxes that had to be paid to the Babylonian empire. The only solution was taking out loans and it appears that there were plenty of loan sharks around charging high rates of interest. When all else failed the only way in which the poor could keep going was essentially to sell themselves into bonded service - a form of slavery. So the rich got richer and the poor got steadily poorer.
The first thing that Nehemiah did about this was to point out the immorality of the situation, and to shame the exploiters into appropriate action. The second thing he did was to stop the exorbitant interest charging on loans. The third thing he did was to take fiscal action and he immediately stopped claiming income to which he was entitled as the local governor. All of that would have been good but he went one stage further and opened up his home as a place of hospitality for others - a kind of early soup kitchen, only better!
When people get into financial difficulties they need help to get out of the mess, not help to get deeper into it. So I am encouraged by the many programmes that Christians and churches are engaging with in order to help those struggling with debt and money supply problems. Two are worth specific mention. They are "Christians Against Poverty" (www.capuk.org) and Credit Unions (www.abcul.org).
Credit Unions are not exclusively Christian but it is a movement with its roots in the Christian churches and many churches are involved. These are a source of well managed loans for people who would have difficulty borrowing from elsewhere and could become victims of loan sharks. They are properly managed and supervised by the FSA. Interest rates are charged but these are lower than elsewhere. Christians are encouraged to become savers with their local Credit Union. You can still earn some interest but know that you are helping others. Local Credit Unions often also welcome volunteers from churches.
Christians Against Poverty will provide immediate help for people already in trouble. They can help in a number of ways to stop the debts from spiralling and help people to manage their own way out of difficulty. Branches of CAP can be found all over the country run through local churches.
Jesus is in the business of setting people free, and that is just what he would want his people to do too. Both CAP and the CUs have responsible programmes for doing just that and every Christian could do something with either or both to make a real difference to someone today like those we read about in Nehemiah chapter 5. Whatever other priorities we may have (just as Nehemiah had) there are some issues that cannot be ignored.
Monday 1 December 2008
Why tell three stories when one would do?
No one could argue against the fact that Jesus was a great story teller. But he was unlikely to waste words. Why then did he tell three almost identical stories in quick succession to make a single point? Read on for my reflections on this.
The three stories I refer to are all recorded in Luke 15. Each is about something that was lost but later found, followed by much celebration. The first is about a sheep that has strayed (part of a flock of 100). The shepherd leaves the 99 in safety and goes of searching until he finds the one that was lost. The second story is about a coin that was lost. Bible commentators suggest that this might have been an ornament with important sentimental vale. Again a thorough search ensues until it is found. The third story is about a son who cannot wait for his father to die so he could inherit riches, so he persuades his father to give him the money now. When the money, the "friends" and the fun run out he eventually comes to his senses and realising his stupidity and immoral actions he returns to find his father looking at for him. The father runs out to meet him long before he gets back home.
All three stories contain much that is the same except the cause of the "lostness". The coin had done nothing and was a victim of other causes. The sheep seems to have just strayed. The son deliberately chose the wrong path. The reason for the stories was the criticism of the self-righteous religious leaders who condemned Jesus because he kept company with people of bad reputation - "sinners". In my previous posting I explained that there are three different concepts to Hebrew and Greek understanding of what sin is. The main concept is just a basic human inherited characteristic. No one other than Jesus has ever lived a perfect life. Like the coin our problem in many ways is the consequence of another's actions. But a second concept is waywardness - the tendency to stray off the right path like the sheep. The third concept is about a deliberate choice to commit sin - like the son.
It seems to me that Jesus is saying that God cares about us passionately whether we have strayed a little, deliberately chosen the wrong way, or just can't help being the way we are. He will never give up on any one of us until he can rejoice in what was lost being found. If you are not living in a dynamic fulfilling relationship with God that brings deep peace and lasting joy then I guess that must mean he's still looking for you. Do you want to be found?
The three stories I refer to are all recorded in Luke 15. Each is about something that was lost but later found, followed by much celebration. The first is about a sheep that has strayed (part of a flock of 100). The shepherd leaves the 99 in safety and goes of searching until he finds the one that was lost. The second story is about a coin that was lost. Bible commentators suggest that this might have been an ornament with important sentimental vale. Again a thorough search ensues until it is found. The third story is about a son who cannot wait for his father to die so he could inherit riches, so he persuades his father to give him the money now. When the money, the "friends" and the fun run out he eventually comes to his senses and realising his stupidity and immoral actions he returns to find his father looking at for him. The father runs out to meet him long before he gets back home.
All three stories contain much that is the same except the cause of the "lostness". The coin had done nothing and was a victim of other causes. The sheep seems to have just strayed. The son deliberately chose the wrong path. The reason for the stories was the criticism of the self-righteous religious leaders who condemned Jesus because he kept company with people of bad reputation - "sinners". In my previous posting I explained that there are three different concepts to Hebrew and Greek understanding of what sin is. The main concept is just a basic human inherited characteristic. No one other than Jesus has ever lived a perfect life. Like the coin our problem in many ways is the consequence of another's actions. But a second concept is waywardness - the tendency to stray off the right path like the sheep. The third concept is about a deliberate choice to commit sin - like the son.
It seems to me that Jesus is saying that God cares about us passionately whether we have strayed a little, deliberately chosen the wrong way, or just can't help being the way we are. He will never give up on any one of us until he can rejoice in what was lost being found. If you are not living in a dynamic fulfilling relationship with God that brings deep peace and lasting joy then I guess that must mean he's still looking for you. Do you want to be found?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
