It's Christmas morning! Peace and Joy to all of you. I hope you have a wonderful day, and don't be the Charlie Browniest Charlie Brown:
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
12.25.2008
12.15.2008
no room upstairs
Christmas is 10 days away, and I've been thinking about the birth narratives of Jesus. We wonderful Christians have such an easy time romanticizing the things we read in the Bible, and the birth narratives are no exception. Honestly, I'm not sure why we do this... maybe we're insecure about the stories and we feel the need to spice them up. Maybe we don't get the point so we make up our own. Maybe we just love the dramatic so much that we need to over dramatize things so they appeal to us.
So what about the birth narratives of Jesus? We all know the story: Mary and Joseph are traveling on a cold night, trying to get to Bethlehem. Mary is obviously pregnant, and they need a place to stay and fast! They go door to door to the different inns finding none that are vacant. Finally a kind innkeeper allows them to stay in his barn with the animals. This is where Jesus is born, and Mary and Joseph nudge the animals away from the feed to lay Jesus in the feed-trough. Soon Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the animals are joined by shepherds and kings and apparently some kid with a drum.
Sounds about right, doesn't it? The crazy thing is that most of this info is not in the birth narratives. Most of what we know of the birth of Jesus is from Luke 2, with Matthew helping a little (Matthew adds the wise men, but some time after the birth).
Luke's story goes a little more like this: Emperor Augustus decrees a census (and a tax) be taken, and as a result, everyone has to go to their home towns (well, the men do at least). Since Joseph is from Bethlehem, that's where he goes. At some point after they are in Bethlehem, Mary goes in to labor and gives birth. After birth, she wraps Jesus in some infant clothes and places him in a manger/crib, and she does this, as the text indicates, because there is "no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). Later, some shepherds, after hearing from angels that the Messiah is born, go to see Jesus.
And that's it. No innkeeper. No going door to door. No sense of urgency because she's about to have the baby. Not many of the details we're used to.
In fact, the word Luke uses for "inn" does not necessarily refer to a "hotel" of sorts. Luke uses this same word one other time in his gospel, but this time to refer to the upper room where Jesus had his last meal with his disciples (22:7-12). Even more interesting is that Luke uses a completely different word later in his gospel (10:34) to refer to an actual inn or guest lodging.
So it's very likely Luke is referring to the upper room of a private house when he uses the word "inn," changing the details we know so well just a little. Mary and Joseph find that there is no room in the upper room of Josephs ancestral house (where they most likely would have stayed during the census period), so they move to the lower level where the animals are kept, kind of like the garage. The most obvious place to lay a newborn in this kind of garage is one of the feed-troughs. Incidentally, the word for "manger" can also be translated "crib," but "manger" is probably a better translation here.
So what's the point? Why does it even matter? I'm not completely sure, and maybe you can weigh in on this, but I think it's generally a bad practice to romanticize biblical texts. Maybe I'm being cynical when I write this, but I would rather focus on the intended meaning of the texts rather than spice them up with fancy details, especially when those details are misleading.
What can we say about the birth narratives of Jesus? Well, especially in Luke, the announcement of the in-breaking reign of God and the redemption of humanity is made to a bunch of shepherds, not to kings and rulers. And this king has a birth that is not special in any way. He's not born in a palace and wrapped in purple cloth. He's born like everyone else and in normal circumstances. He represents what the humility of humanity means. Even in his birth, he identifies with us; with normal people and not with the most powerful and influential.
If anything, this is the beauty of the Christmas story: That God has come and is setting up a new way of life; one that is not based on power structures and amassing wealth but on humility, joy, and peace.
To me, that is a powerful message on its own.
So what about the birth narratives of Jesus? We all know the story: Mary and Joseph are traveling on a cold night, trying to get to Bethlehem. Mary is obviously pregnant, and they need a place to stay and fast! They go door to door to the different inns finding none that are vacant. Finally a kind innkeeper allows them to stay in his barn with the animals. This is where Jesus is born, and Mary and Joseph nudge the animals away from the feed to lay Jesus in the feed-trough. Soon Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the animals are joined by shepherds and kings and apparently some kid with a drum.
Sounds about right, doesn't it? The crazy thing is that most of this info is not in the birth narratives. Most of what we know of the birth of Jesus is from Luke 2, with Matthew helping a little (Matthew adds the wise men, but some time after the birth).
Luke's story goes a little more like this: Emperor Augustus decrees a census (and a tax) be taken, and as a result, everyone has to go to their home towns (well, the men do at least). Since Joseph is from Bethlehem, that's where he goes. At some point after they are in Bethlehem, Mary goes in to labor and gives birth. After birth, she wraps Jesus in some infant clothes and places him in a manger/crib, and she does this, as the text indicates, because there is "no place for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). Later, some shepherds, after hearing from angels that the Messiah is born, go to see Jesus.
And that's it. No innkeeper. No going door to door. No sense of urgency because she's about to have the baby. Not many of the details we're used to.
In fact, the word Luke uses for "inn" does not necessarily refer to a "hotel" of sorts. Luke uses this same word one other time in his gospel, but this time to refer to the upper room where Jesus had his last meal with his disciples (22:7-12). Even more interesting is that Luke uses a completely different word later in his gospel (10:34) to refer to an actual inn or guest lodging.
So it's very likely Luke is referring to the upper room of a private house when he uses the word "inn," changing the details we know so well just a little. Mary and Joseph find that there is no room in the upper room of Josephs ancestral house (where they most likely would have stayed during the census period), so they move to the lower level where the animals are kept, kind of like the garage. The most obvious place to lay a newborn in this kind of garage is one of the feed-troughs. Incidentally, the word for "manger" can also be translated "crib," but "manger" is probably a better translation here.
So what's the point? Why does it even matter? I'm not completely sure, and maybe you can weigh in on this, but I think it's generally a bad practice to romanticize biblical texts. Maybe I'm being cynical when I write this, but I would rather focus on the intended meaning of the texts rather than spice them up with fancy details, especially when those details are misleading.
What can we say about the birth narratives of Jesus? Well, especially in Luke, the announcement of the in-breaking reign of God and the redemption of humanity is made to a bunch of shepherds, not to kings and rulers. And this king has a birth that is not special in any way. He's not born in a palace and wrapped in purple cloth. He's born like everyone else and in normal circumstances. He represents what the humility of humanity means. Even in his birth, he identifies with us; with normal people and not with the most powerful and influential.
If anything, this is the beauty of the Christmas story: That God has come and is setting up a new way of life; one that is not based on power structures and amassing wealth but on humility, joy, and peace.
To me, that is a powerful message on its own.
12.01.2008
My Christmas Mix
There are only a few absolutes in my life, and one is absolutely no Christmas music before Thanksgiving (we can talk about absolutes later)... So now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I thought I would blog about my favorite Christmas songs. So here we go in no particular order:
1. Christmastime is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio
- Quite possibly one of the most beautiful Christmas songs every written. Imagine yourself on a snowy night sitting by the firelight in silence with people you love.
2. Let it Snow - Ella Fitzgerald
- One of the best renditions of this song I know. Ella is smooth and perfect. And, I love this song... especially living in LA where it never snows. It makes me miss the East Coast.
3. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
- Fun song, and Dean's voice is relaxed and conversational. It's a perfect fit for this song.
4. Cool Yule - Kurt Elling
-Fun song. "You're gonna flip when you see ol' St. Nick play a lick on a peppermint stick."
5. Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
- It's a classic, what can I say. Some other great renditions: India Arie and Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Mel Torme, Vince Guaraldi.
6. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
- It's kind of a cult classic. Not one of the nostalgic pieces, but it's a lot of fun to listen to.
7. Christmas is Coming - Vince Guaraldi Trio
- I guess you should listen to this before "Christmas is Here." But I like "Christmas is Here" better...
8. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
- Kind of sexy if I'm allowed to say that.
9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
- Classic raspy/shouty Bono in a Christmas song. Can you ask for more?
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Steven Curtis Chapman
- One of my favorite Christmas hymns. It has such power and emotion in the melody, and SCC does a great job with this one.
11. O Holy Night - Mariah Carey
- Another favorite Christmas hymn, and Mariah rips is in a freaky way. Is that whistling or singing?
12. Jingle Bells - James Taylor
-Nice twist on a classic. It's funky...
13. Soulful Christmas - James Brown
- How can you not like a Christmas song where the singer thanks his fans for buying his albums and coming to his concerts?
14. Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald
- All of the above about Ella applies.
15. My Favorite Things - Diana Ross
- I never understood why this is a Christmas song... because it says "mittens" and "packages?" Anyway, Diana's version is classic. It's got attitude and swings real nice.
On a side note, as you listen to Christmas music this season, listen to how many different Christmas songs actually quote Jingle Bells at some point. The most obvious one is Nat King Cole's Christmas Song.
1. Christmastime is Here - Vince Guaraldi Trio
- Quite possibly one of the most beautiful Christmas songs every written. Imagine yourself on a snowy night sitting by the firelight in silence with people you love.
2. Let it Snow - Ella Fitzgerald
- One of the best renditions of this song I know. Ella is smooth and perfect. And, I love this song... especially living in LA where it never snows. It makes me miss the East Coast.
3. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm - Dean Martin
- Fun song, and Dean's voice is relaxed and conversational. It's a perfect fit for this song.
4. Cool Yule - Kurt Elling
-Fun song. "You're gonna flip when you see ol' St. Nick play a lick on a peppermint stick."
5. Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
- It's a classic, what can I say. Some other great renditions: India Arie and Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Mel Torme, Vince Guaraldi.
6. Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
- It's kind of a cult classic. Not one of the nostalgic pieces, but it's a lot of fun to listen to.
7. Christmas is Coming - Vince Guaraldi Trio
- I guess you should listen to this before "Christmas is Here." But I like "Christmas is Here" better...
8. Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
- Kind of sexy if I'm allowed to say that.
9. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - U2
- Classic raspy/shouty Bono in a Christmas song. Can you ask for more?
10. O Come, O Come Emmanuel - Steven Curtis Chapman
- One of my favorite Christmas hymns. It has such power and emotion in the melody, and SCC does a great job with this one.
11. O Holy Night - Mariah Carey
- Another favorite Christmas hymn, and Mariah rips is in a freaky way. Is that whistling or singing?
12. Jingle Bells - James Taylor
-Nice twist on a classic. It's funky...
13. Soulful Christmas - James Brown
- How can you not like a Christmas song where the singer thanks his fans for buying his albums and coming to his concerts?
14. Sleigh Ride - Ella Fitzgerald
- All of the above about Ella applies.
15. My Favorite Things - Diana Ross
- I never understood why this is a Christmas song... because it says "mittens" and "packages?" Anyway, Diana's version is classic. It's got attitude and swings real nice.
On a side note, as you listen to Christmas music this season, listen to how many different Christmas songs actually quote Jingle Bells at some point. The most obvious one is Nat King Cole's Christmas Song.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
