Monday, November 29, 2004
Matthew’s Infancy Narrative
Matthew’s Gospel is the English translation has about 21,000 words (744 sentences). Of those, only about 1,000 words (43 sentences) are devoted to the story of the birth and infancy of Jesus.
Yet these are among the best-known and best-loved words of the entire Gospel, capturing the imagination of young and old, and providing a rich source for poets, artists and storytellers.
Only two Gospel writers tell the infancy story, and each tells it differently. Luke centers on Mary, Matthew centers on Joseph. Each wrote independently of the other, and each had traditions and sources the other did not have.
Their stories are like two portraits of the same person, done by two different artists. In Christmas pageants and crib scenes we tend to blend the two. It may come as a surprise to realize, however, that Matthew’s account has no annunciation to Mary, no journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, no need to find a room in the inn, no manger, no angelic choir, no shepherds.
Matthew’s portrait has a certain heaviness, a touch of sadness, with hints of the Passion Narrative along the way. He emphasized that Jesus was born, not into a make believe world, but into the same imperfect world we know so well.
There is value in each portrait, not only to appreciate the artistry of each, but to understand better the message each intends to convey. In the following reflelctions we will be walking through Matthew’s story.
Take another look at the Advent plans sketched out yesterday.
Monday - First Week of Advent
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham, Abraham became the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar… (Matthew 1:1-2)
These are the opening words of Matthew’s Gospel. He begins with the basics – the genealogy of Jesus.
Matthew wants to establish that Jesus is the Messiah, the long-awaited “Son of David” who would fulfill Old Testament prophecies. That’s why he works downward from Abraham, through David, to Jesus. (Luke, in his genealogy, starts with Jesus and work upward to Adam. He wants to establish that Jesus is the Son of God.)
Both Matthew and Luke drew upon popular traditions (rather than written records), and both adapted the data. They are trying to establish Jesus’ theological identity, not his DNA.
Like all of us, Jesus was part of a family. Families, every one of them, have “complications”. God can turn them into blessings.
Jesus’ family had plenty of skeletons in the closet. Probably your family is no different. They are still your family.
This is a good time of year to mend some family ties.
Spend some quiet time with the Lord.
