Prepared by: Richard G.

Pazcoguin UST Institute of Religion

TWO DISTINCT STORIES

It is hardly noticed or realized that in every attempt to recreate the Christmas story either through narration or through images in a nativity scene, what actually happens is a fusion of two distinct infancy narratives found in the Scriptures. Matthews and Lukes account of Christs birth, though agreeing at certain points, are two separate stories, each conveying a particular theological message.

INFANCY NARRATIVES

Little

is known about the infancy of Jesus. It was not of primordial interest to the early Christians. It is important to know that the evangelists were not eyewitnesses of Christs birth, and that their accounts were written after the resurrection. Hence, the stories were written in the light of their faith in the risen and glorified Christ. The infancy narratives are attempts to describe Jesus Christ through an imaginative story regarding his origins. (Midrash) Thus, the stories of Christs birth were not written to tell us the exact chronology of events, or the actual events that took place. Rather, the authors wrote the infancy narratives to tell us who Christ is.

Matthews Infancy Narrative

Matthew wrote for Jewish converts to Christianity. He wanted to present Jesus as the New Moses, the fulfillment of the promised Messiah. Hence, in his infancy narrative, he used Old Testament symbolisms that would easily evoke the memory of the messianic prophecies.

Key Features of Matthews Infancy Narrative

The Genealogy of Jesus The Announcement to Joseph Birth in a house in Bethlehem The Star The Visitation of the Magi The Massacre of Infants The Flight into Egypt The Return to Nazareth

THE GENEALOGY

The Messiah has to be of the Davidic line. Matthews account begins with a genealogy to attest to this fact: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of David, the beginning of the new creation

THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO JOSEPH

The Angel appears to JOSEPH in a DREAM (perhaps evoking the memory of Joseph the Dreamer). The announcement to Joseph, a descendant of David, tells us that Jesus is truly Son of David, though Joseph is merely Jesus foster father.

BIRTH IN BETHLEHEM, IN A HOUSE

Matthews account suggests that Joseph and Mary lived in Bethlehem, hence the Child was born in a house. Jesus had to be born in Bethlehem to reinforce the idea of his being in the Davidic line, Bethlehem being Davids city. The infant was born in a house because he was a king, not fit for a stable as in Lukes presentation.

THE STAR
Read Numbers 2:17 The star is not a heavenly body, but a person, the Messiah, who leads to himself all those who seek him with a pure and sincere heart

THE VISIT OF THE MAGI AND THE MASSACRE OF INFANTS

The author wanted to show how Jesus was rejected by the Jewish authorities and the civil power but was accepted by the Gentiles. The Gifts of the Magi tell us who Jesus is The Son of God, the Messianic King, the Suffering Servant It is noteworthy that the massacre of the infants evokes the memory of Moses survival in a similar incident.

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT AND RETURN TO NAZARETH

The flight into Egypt and the return to Nazareth show in symbolic fashion how in Jesus, the people achieve a successful exodus. The way to the Kingdom of God is at last open. Again this event evokes the memory of how Moses was spared from the massacre by being an adopted son of Egypt.

Lukes Infancy Narrative

Luke wrote for the Gentile converts to Christianity. He wanted to present Jesus, not as the royal messiah, but as a man who came for all, especially for the lowly.

Key Features of Lukes Infancy Narrative

The Announcement to Mary The Visitation The Journey to Bethlehem Birth in a manger The Angels and the Shepherds The Presentation in the Temple

THE ANNUNCIATION

Mary of Nazareth symbolized the lowly of Israel (anawim) that eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah. It is the poor and the lowly that first accepted with an open heart the Good News that salvation has dawned with the coming of Jesus.

THE VISITATION

The poor (represented by Mary) are not merely beneficiaries of the Good News, but are also its bearers. Marys Magnificat echoes the song of Hannah in the Old Testament. It is a song of praise for Gods preferential love for the lowly.

THE JOURNEY TO BETHLEHEM

Mary and Joseph are from Nazareth, a town of ill reputation. The Messiah is identified with sinners. To accommodate the Bethlehem prophecy, Luke puts a census, a royal decree in his account, so as to facilitate Jesus birth in Davids city. The journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem prefigures the humility shown by Jesus in his subjection to human authority.

JESUS BIRTH IN A MANGER

Lukes account says that Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger, again, to highlight Christs identification with the poor and the lowly. There is no place in the inn this God incarnate is not a traveler that stays only for a night, but a God that dwells with his people The swaddling clothes line in the passage is an echo of Wisdom 7:1-6, establishing Christs humanity. The manger is a place where one places food for the animals. By using this imagery, Luke is telling his audience that Jesus is food for his people.

THE ANGELS AND THE SHEPHERDS

This infancy narrative was written during the era of apostolic preaching. The apostles were shepherds of Gods people. Those who receive the Good News cannot but be messengers (angels) of this Good News as well. The shepherds were more that lowly visitors, they were heralds of Christs coming.

PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE

The presentation highlights Jesus being firstborn. Jesus is the firstborn of all creation. He liberates those who are under the law by subjecting himself to the law. The title firstborn was used by the early Church to denote Christs divinity. Hence by constantly referring to Jesus as the firstborn, he was telling his audience that Jesus is the divine Son, through whom all other sons and daughters are saved.

POINTS OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO ACCOUNTS

Jesus parents are Mary and Joseph Mary and Joseph are engaged but not married at the time of Jesus conception Joseph is of the Davidic line Mary conceives through the Holy Spirit An angel directs that the child should be named Jesus The angel says that Jesus is to be a savior Jesus is born in Bethlehem at the time of Herod the Great Jesus is raised in Nazareth

THE VIRGIN BIRTH

Miraculous stories surrounded the birth of prominent men in the Old Testament (e.g. birth from a barren woman). The birth of the Son of God must surely be a greater miracle. However, Gods preference for the Virgin, must not simply be seen as a spectacle to marvel at. It is an affirmation that God is pleased with the single-hearted.

SOURCES:
Dr. Margaret Nutting-Ralph

AND GOD SAID WHAT?

New York: Paulist Press, 2003

Etienne Charpentier

HOW TO READ THE NEW TESTAMENT

Quezon City: Claretian Publications, 1997