We’ve become so intellectual that we’ve forgotten the power of stories. Earlier societies were illiterate, and so history and stories were passed down by ear- either through recitation or song.
Hence, we have remnants of sagas, myths, legends and stories that recorded what was culturally important.
Were all these stories true? Of course not- at least not in the literal sense. But what the stories carried were essential truths of something basic and fundamental.
Take the Greek myths for example- those stories carried truths about the human condition, about relationships, about behaviors
and reactions. So much so, that many of these myths have been used to understand human psychology- as for example- the Oedipus complex, or Narcissistic behavior. The truths those stories hold are universal, archetypal and often unconscious.
Most religious stories and mythologies have some sort of similar root, some sort of global archetypes. Maynard James Keenan
Humans use stories about themselves all the time, often to their detriment.
You become convinced that you are not pretty/handsome enough, not smart/capable enough, not talented/skilled enough to do or accomplish something.
That belief is so strong that your actions and behavior are controlled by that over-riding presumption.
But are those “stories” factual evaluations of you? No! They are concoctions of your subconscious mind, which may seem true to you, but are not factual.
Look at the Santa Claus Story
For a while, when you were a child, the season, Christmas evening and day were the most exciting of the year.
You fervently believed in Santa Claus, and some of the magic and zest for Christmas died when some older kid told you it was really your parents all along.
“Let me assure you doubters―there really is a Santa Claus… It’s only necessary to look into your own heart.”
― Jeff Guinn
But the mystique was not in Santa, really. He was merely the symbol. The story was built around the concept of
- giving to others
- helping those in need or less fortunate
- gifting a child with maybe the only toy that kid got all year
- feeding the hungry and homeless
- compassionate caring and a way to show love.
There is your underlying essence of the Santa story. And that basic need does not die just because Santa doesn’t really have a toy-shop at the North Pole, or come down your chimney on Christmas Eve.
Biblical Stories- True or Not?
In like manner, the Bible is full of stories- because stories convey deep fundamental truths that can be understood by the common folk. Those writers knew that stories were foundational vehicles for transmitting truth. Consequently they did NOT necessarily have to be factual to do that. We’re not talking newspaper reporting here- but passing on acquired understandings.
So… The Christmas Story- True or False?
For today’s intellectual, stories of a virgin birth, a stable, shepherds and angels, and three kings produces a “Yeah- right! I don’t think so!”
Keep in mind that the Christmas events were written down about 60-70 AD or c.e.- at least 30 to 40 years after Jesus death, no one was still living from at the time of Jesus’ birth, the first Gospel, Mark, records nothing about any Christmas event, not does the Gospel of John.
How are We to Make Sense of This Christmas Story?
The Jews had long prophesied a messiah- or anointed one- to save them from foreign oppression and the rule of the Romans in the Holy Lands.
They were expecting a King, like David, to gain them their freedom.
Instead here was Jesus, a common man, a teacher/rabbi, who was preaching concepts that turned their beliefs and understandings upside down.
Who was this man?
Where did he get his authority to teach?
How were his teachings to be understood?
Gospel of Matthew-Prophesies
Only Matthew and Luke attempted to deal with the beginning of Jesus’ life. They had two very different agendas and slants to their Gospels.
Matthew was intent upon convincing the Jews that Jesus was indeed the prophesied messiah. In order to do so, he referred back to the Old Testament prophesies constantly to enforce this idea.
So for example, from Isaiah 7:14, “Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel”- (which means God is with us). The emphasis on virgin birth came later out of Catholic doctrine, so that Mary would never be defiled by human intercourse (their designation- NOT MINE!)
- Micah 5:2 foretold of a ruler in Israel who would come from Bethlehem
- Jeremiah 23:5 talks about the reign of a king who will save them
- as does Numbers 24:17 which also talks about a star and a scepter
- Isaiah 49:7 tells of nations and princes coming
- Isaiah 60:3 recounts kings and nations coming to the “brightness of your rising”
- Isaiah 60:6 prophesied a caravan of camels, and they will bring gold and frankincense
Note that there is absolutely no mention of any shepherds!
Since the messiah was supposed to be a king, Matthew has what we call the Three Kings come. They really were Magi, learned astrologers and astronomers from Persia, fit foreign visitors for a “king”.
Factually, if a huge caravan of camels, camel drivers, and princely figures arrived after traveling over a year, there would have been an historical record of it. There is none.
A star represents heavenly acknowledgement of a life altering event. Magi would have recognized it as such.
But have you ever attempted to follow a star to some destination? Good luck!
So…what is Matthews’s birth narrative all about?
It’s the story, for Matthew and those for whom he wrote, about Jesus’ birth representing the kingly nature of this child, that it was evident from the time of his very birth-even though in reality Jesus was never the Davidic king they expected. In addition, in Matthew’s story, so many prophesies were “fulfilled”.
Gospel of Luke- For All
Luke, on the other hand, had a different agenda in his writing. His Gospel emphasizes the universal mission of Jesus, whose compassion reached out to all- not just the Jews, and to the common person not just learned and wealthy folk.
- Thus Luke has Mary’s kinswoman, Elizabeth, recognize Mary as pregnant with “my Lord”. Luke 1:36
- The birth of Jesus’ cousin, John the Baptist, who will “prepare the way of the Lord”. Luke 1:5-24, 57-79
- The announcement of the birth by angels to shepherds– the lowest of the low on the very fringes of society. Luke 2:8-18. Who ever heard of such a thing in those days???
- Birth in a lowly stable. Luke 2:6-7
- When Jesus was taken to the temple for purification His specialness was recognized by Simeon who said, “mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thy hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to thy people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32
- And old Anna who lived at the temple, spoke to those looking for Jerusalem’s redemption about him. Luke 2:36-38
Luke’ s account heavily emphasizes the inclusiveness of Jesus’ calling. There are no Wise Men, and no star. It’s the common folk who are the informed ones.
Fact or Truth?
Did any of the written events actually take place? Did the world really sit up and take notice of this one baby’s birth?
Most probably not.
Then why the story? Actually there are the two separate stories.
The early believers in Jesus, as well as those after his death, were trying to understand what his life was all about. How to make sense of his radical teachings? How could it all have ended in a crucifixion?
It took over 300 years for the church to come up with doctrinal beliefs, excluding much material along the way, and coming up with a rigid orthodoxy. Too much was taken to be factual, which was never meant to be literal truth!
Truth is in the Meaning
The Christmas account is a story- a story to set the stage for Jesus’ later ministry. Dig under it and you find the essence.
Those who knew Jesus and/or followed his teachings, found a God they too could call “abba” (meaning father)- not just some distant, transcendental God out there and indifferent to suffering, but a close, compassionate God who cared about them.
They also found a whole new way of relating to people- to love and care for the least among them, to be compassionate themselves and to give and serve with gladness.
This messiah was prophesy fulfilled, the promised one (as emphasized by Matthew), and was a person of the people caring for ALL folk (as stressed by Luke).
The writers of Matthew and Luke, each in an original way, looked back on Jesus’ life, teachings and ministry, and created a birth story for this extraordinary individual.
IT WAS NEVER MEANT TO BE TAKEN LITERALLY AND FACTUALLY!
Christmas- An Event to Be Embraced
It is a beautiful story that in essence is deeply profound.
Instead of dismissing it as fake, enjoy the fundamental message of the story- the way it fulfilled a people’s yearning, the way it brought hope to folks and changed their lives, the way it has lightened up our dark winters with a deep-felt, penetrating tale of Love “coming down at Christmas”.
Christmas is a tonic for our souls. It moves us to think of others rather than of ourselves. It directs our thoughts to giving. B. C. Forbes
Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. Thomas S. Monson
As such, Christmas is a glorious event to celebrate that love!
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.”
― Hamilton Wright Mabie
