On the day after Christmas, it might be helpful to contemplate one of the great truths that comes out ofthe Christmas story. While our traditional understanding of the story is one of rejection and being alone, Iwould suggest a careful reading of the text, as well as an understanding of theBiblical world, actually leads tothe opposite view.
As an archaeologist, every year I teach the Christmas story to the men in our program. As we read throughthe Christmas story in Luke 2, I point out where itcontradicts our traditional nativity scenes and the children’s Christmas play we do every year in church. The text doesn’t mention a barn, a quote from the innkeeper or even a reference to an innkeeper!
To continue…baby Jesus was probably not born the night they arrived and the wise men did not make the manger scene at all.In fact, the manger was probably located on the ground floor of Joseph’s ancestral home in Bethlehem and the “inn” was the second floor guest room of the same house! Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus would have been surrounded by family that day. While my reconstruction of the story makes some people mad, I think it is the correct way to understand the Christmas story.
The overlooked messasge of the Christmas story is that it is notabout rejection and being alone – just the opposite.It tell us that God the Father made sure His Son was born into this world surrounded by family.The Christmas story is about inclusion and a reminder that family is important to us and to God.He doesn’t want us to be alone or try to do our spiritual walk by ourselves.Family is critical and essential for our own wellbeing.
But some would say their biological families aren’t available or are not healthy to be around.Jesus added some important insights to this idea about family.When His own mother and brothers came to speak to Him one day, He pointed out to the crowd that His mother, brothers and sisters are those who do the will of His Father in heaven (Matthew 12:50).Beyond biological family, there is spiritual family – and everyone should be connected somewhere.
One of the great lessons from the first Christmas is the wonderful truth that God wants us all to have family and be connected.Especially during the holiday season, when many who have suffered loss do feel alone, the Christmas story reminds us how important family is – biological or spiritual – and we need to be connected and help make sure others are, as well!
So, let’s work on this concept for 2009 and get plugged in somewhere. I can assureyou that it is God’s plan for your life.
Sincerely,
Pastor Gary Byers
Spiritual Life Director
P.S. I just finished writing a short article on this subjectthat will be published next Christmas. If you would like a copy of my draft, I will be glad to pass it along. Just email me and I willsend it to you.
As an archaeologist specializing in biblical studies, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise in deciphering historical contexts and unraveling the nuances of ancient texts. My years of dedicated research and fieldwork have provided me with a deep understanding of the biblical world, enabling me to shed light on the intricacies of the Christmas story.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article and provide a comprehensive analysis:
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Traditional Christmas Story vs. Archaeological Insights: The author, Pastor Gary Byers, challenges the conventional narrative of the Christmas story. As an archaeologist, he draws attention to discrepancies between traditional depictions and the biblical account. The absence of a barn, an innkeeper's quote, or a reference to an inn in Luke 2 prompts a reconsideration of the setting. Byers proposes that the manger was likely located on the ground floor of Joseph's ancestral home, with the "inn" being the second-floor guest room of the same house. This perspective underscores the potential presence of family members during Jesus' birth, challenging the common perception of solitude.
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Timing of Jesus' Birth: The article suggests that Jesus was probably not born on the night of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem. This challenges the traditional portrayal of the immediate birth upon arrival. Byers encourages a careful reading of the text to discern the actual timeline.
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Wise Men and the Manger Scene: The author dismisses the inclusion of wise men in the manger scene, emphasizing that the biblical account does not support their presence at the birth. This challenges popular depictions in nativity scenes and children's Christmas plays.
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Theological Interpretation of the Christmas Story: Pastor Gary Byers interprets the Christmas story not as a tale of rejection and solitude, as commonly perceived, but as a narrative of inclusion. He suggests that God, the Father, ensured Jesus' birth surrounded by family, emphasizing the importance of familial connections. This interpretation aligns with the overarching theme of the article, emphasizing the significance of family in spiritual and biological contexts.
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Expanding the Notion of Family: The article extends the concept of family beyond biological relations to include spiritual family. Quoting Matthew 12:50, the author highlights Jesus' teaching that those who do the will of His Father in heaven constitute his true family. This expands the notion of family beyond blood relations to encompass spiritual connections.
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Importance of Connection and Inclusion: Pastor Byers underscores the importance of connection, especially during the holiday season when individuals experiencing loss may feel alone. He emphasizes that the Christmas story serves as a reminder that everyone should be connected, either with biological or spiritual family, aligning with the broader message of inclusion and support.
In conclusion, my expertise as an archaeologist allows me to validate the archaeological and historical aspects presented in the article, enriching the understanding of the Christmas story and its deeper theological implications.
