Summer of the Bible 2014 - Week 8

"God-With-Us" - this post is weeks late, since it was to be posted in July.  So goes the summer.  The good news is this:  God is still with us, even when we're late.

Mural in the Shepherd’s Church – Bethlehem

 (photo by Sara Holben – May 2009)

Background:

            So it’s now “Christmas in July” as we explore the passages of Scripture that speak of the birth of Christ.  Or more specifically – these texts speak of the “incarnation” – that theological doctrine that refers to God choosing to become “flesh” in Jesus Christ.

            Matthew and Luke are the only two gospels that actually talk about the birth of Jesus.  Mark has no reference to Jesus’ birth but begins with his baptism.  John’s Gospel begins with a theological reflection on the meaning of the Incarnation as the eternal Word of God.

            Other than Matthew and Luke’s few chapters, the events surrounding the birth of Jesus are not a significant part of the rest of the New Testament.  There is instead an ongoing reflection by the early Christians as they sought to understand who Jesus is and what his life, death, and resurrection mean. 

            In spite of that, Christmas looms large in Christian practice and culture and in its celebration overshadows even Easter, although Christmas was not observed in Christian worship and practice until after the celebration of Easter was already long a central part of the early church’s worship.

            Along with Christmas, the second celebration in Christian tradition that is associated with the Incarnation is Epiphany.  Epiphany is associated in the western church with the visit of the magi and in the eastern church with all of the events related to Jesus’ birth, his childhood, and his baptism.  “Epiphany” is from a Greek word that means “to reveal” and it celebrates the revealing of Christ to the world – the light of God that has come into our darkness.

Readings for Week #8:

·       Luke 1 and 2 – the traditional Christmas passages with shepherds and angels

·       Matthew 1 and 2 – Matthew approaches Jesus’ birth through a genealogy and the “good news” that is for the entire world (note the magi from the east)

·       Mark 1:1-8 – Mark begins with Jesus’ baptism

·       John 1:1-18 – The Incarnation according to John

·       Philippians 2:1-11 – A hymn to Christ’s humility

·       Colossians 1:15-20 – A hymn to the exalted Christ

·       Isaiah 60:1-6 – a text traditionally read for Epiphany

Additional Resources:

• Background on Judea during Roman Rule (at the time Jesus was born) - http://www.enterthebible.org/periods.aspx?rid=897
• "The Logic of the Incarnation" - reflections on the meaning of Christ's birth - http://www.ekklesiaproject.org/blog/2011/12/the-logic-of-the-incarnation/
• Articles on Christmas and Epiphany (from Baylor University - "The Christian Reflection Project" - http://www.baylor.edu/ifl/christianreflection/index.php?id=86370