 It is interesting that after the long genealogy Matthew provided in his Gospel, followed by the somewhat detailed account of the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream, there is only one short verse about the actual birth of Jesus: “He had no relations with her until she bore a son and he named Him Jesus.” (Matthew 1:25) While Matthew did tell us this child would be Emmanuel, he gave no other details besides that Mary bore Him as a virgin; there is nothing about their journey to Bethlehem or why these Galileans would need to go there. However, Matthew did provide quite a bit of detail about what happened after Jesus’ birth, including the events involving the Magi. As is true of all the Gospel writers, what Matthew chose to recount has much deeper meaning than we see at first glance. Everything that is in the birth narrative is included for a reason, and that which is seemingly absent is also intentional. Therefore, we need to take the time to let those verses speak to us in order to let them reveal the deeper insights intended by the evangelist.  Not only does Jesus' genealogy appear before the one verse pertaining to His birth, but it begins the entire Gospel. Rather than ignoring the genealogy as superfluous, we should regard it as more than just a list of names and seek to discover what messages it contains. Matthew wanted the faithful to understand that Joseph was of David’s line, thus fulfilling what had been promised by God. But it is also true that each and every person in this lineage had an important role, much of which is accessible through study of the Old Testament.* It is important to pray and reflect over the fact that from the beginning God had chosen this time in history, and these people, to make His entrance into the world. Perhaps this was part of what Joseph and Mary pondered as they prayed about their own roles in God’s plan. It certainly would be a cause of wonder and awe for them, and it is something that ought to evoke wonder, awe, and praise in us as we come before the Father in prayer during this season.  Matthew detailed the journey of the Magi who arrived after Jesus’ birth with gifts fit for a prophet, priest, and king, having finally discovered Him in a ‘borrowed’ stable with parents who were humble, materially poor people. As strange as this may have seemed, they trusted He was the one for whom they had searched, paying homage with joy. The story reveals that all who show up at the manger, especially the ‘unlikely ones,’ are invited to come to Jesus. In this case, none of these men were Jews; they were “from the east,” perhaps Zoroastrians.** And though they were foreigners, we can ascertain their level of belief: not only did they make this daring journey, (perhaps a time of conversion), but God knew their faith was deep enough that He could send an angel to them in the same way as to Joseph, warning them to return home by another route so as to avoid Herod. When we look beyond the surface, we do not see foreigners, pagans, or strangers, but rather, sojourners who ultimately responded to God’s call, made an arduous journey, and finally found Him in the manger.  Luke provided some different insights to ponder. Instead of the Magi, he wrote of shepherds who arrived at the stable to greet the newborn Messiah. Shepherds were considered the lowliest of Jews since they could not leave their flocks to go the Temple for prescribed worship. Living in the fields with their flocks, they probably smelled just like them, too, but in going to the stable, how they smelled was of no consequence to Mary or Joseph who joyfully welcomed them (and who were already used to the animals whose space they shared). How easy it would be to judge the shepherds unworthy of attending so holy a scene! And yet, they were the first ones to whom angels announced this blessed event and they responded unselfconsciously. Also unselfconsciously, Mary and Joseph, too poor to give birth to a baby in a ‘proper’ place, were later able to enter the Temple and present Jesus for circumcision, doing as the Law prescribed, obedient and filled with joy. Perhaps there were those there who judged them, but not Simeon or Anna, each of whom welcomed them with similar joy and praise of God.  It is good to ponder all these scenes during the Christmas season that we might allow our own hearts to be expanded. We are invited to ponder along with Matthew and Luke, Mary and Joseph. The insights contained in each event never cease to be relevant, and are especially so during the time in which we now live. Believers today are similarly judged (and are tempted to judge); and as in times of old, we are pressured into conforming to the secular culture and its values. Praying with these verses can inspire us, through the power of grace, to recognize and rise above the pressures, instead seeking Jesus in the manger with the joy and reverence of the Magi and shepherds. As prophesied, found there is “… a little Child to guide them.” The Baby born in Bethlehem is the Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords and King of Kings. (Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 9:5; Revelation 17:14) Come let us adore!  May we conform our hearts to that of the newborn baby Jesus that we might overcome the temptation to judge, and instead reach out to those who are outcast, to love those unlike ourselves, opening our hearts to strangers, aliens, widows, orphans, and the poor among us! And may we unselfconsciously accept the invitation of God to go to the manger and keep Him company! Let us meet with all our brothers and sisters throughout the season at the manger where Jesus lies! Peace!
©Michele L Catanese Note: Another type of 'birth account’ is found in the Prologue of John’s Gospel. (John 1:1-18) It is deeply theological, but it is also immensely important and infinitely sublime; it is proclaimed at the “Mass During the Day” on December 25. For me, the climax is in this verse: “And the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us, and we saw His glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14) I had to mention this since these verses are my favorite in regard to His birth since they reveal who Jesus is. * Of course, this meant that Jesus was of the line of David as legal son of Joseph. ~ Matthew set up the genealogy with a brilliant structure that contains great symbolism: he pointed out at the end of the list that "the total number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen; from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations; from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah, fourteen generations.” (Matthew 1:17) That is, this is not a complete list of the ancestors of Jesus, but rather Matthew was emphasizing God’s plan and His promises beginning with Abraham and especially that which was made to David. Jesus is the fulfillment of all God’s promises and He is the fulfillment of the Law. ~ Since genealogies are by definition and tradition lists of firstborn males, this one included some rather unexpected people, that is, women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, “the wife of Uriah” (Bathsheba), and Mary. When Joseph is named at the end of the list, he is referred to as Joseph, the husband of Mary; "Of her is born Jesus who is called the Messiah.” (Matthew 1:16) Even though this is about the male ancestry of Jesus, notice that Mary is preeminent: Joseph is described as the husband of Mary, rightfully giving her central importance, emphasizing that of her was born Jesus. ** We know little about the Magi except that there were no less than three, but probably more, that they were astrologers, they were men of faith, and they seem to have come from Persia. The dominant religion in Persia at the time was Zoroastrianism, hence there is a high probability that this was their religion. Images: 1. My photo; icon of Joseph and Jesus on the wall of the Church of St. Joseph in Nazareth, Israel. 2. My photo; "glowing" trees. This photo was taken near Schulenberg, TX and is unaltered. It was a trick of the light that made the trees in this vineyard seem to glow. 3. The front of a Christmas card depicting the Magi and star. I had sent this card to my friends many years ago, and saved the front of one of the cards for myself. 4. The front of a Christmas card depicting shepherds in the fields reacting with joy to the message of the angels. (As above, this was a card I once sent.) 5. My photo; a creche in a massive display inside a church in San Juan, Puerto Rico. 6. Image; The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by Fr. William Hart McNichols. To purchase a copy this can be found at https://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-nativity-of-our-lord-jesus-christ-034-william-hart-mcnichols.html Note: In compliance with GDPR rules, I wish to make it clear that I do not gather any information on any of my readers at any time. Comments are closed.
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