Pondering: Advent 3 – the journey
In those days a decree
went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration and was taken
while Quirinius was governor of Syria.
All went to their own towns to be registered. Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended
from the house and family of David. He
went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a
child. While they were there, the time
came for her to deliver her child. And she
gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him
in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. Luke 2:1-5
How does someone remember a journey? Is it a point of departure and an arrival
destination? Is its significance the
time of the year, the dates, the events going on at the time? Stories are beginning to form about Jesus’
birth around all these criteria.
Sometimes they don’t even agree with known facts.
No matter. For me the journey was a nine-month physical
experience grounded in a profound spiritual connection to God. My journey would end in a stable attached to
an inn. The journey of knowing Jesus
would begin for all of us at the same place.
The beginnings of Luke’s
account of the nativity are so specific it is logical to assume a date certain
in history. The problem is the dates do
not match.
·
Herod of
Judea was born around 40/37 BCE (Before Common Era/Before Christ’s Birth). Herod of Judea died in 4 CE (Common
Era/Christ’s Birth)
·
Quirinius became governor or legate of Syria
after this time in 6 CE. It was then
that he authorized a census of Judea.
·
There are no records extant of any registration “of
the world” (or the world of the Roman Empire under Augustus).
·
Josephus, a renowned Jewish historian of the
time, has no record of a census for tax purposes during this period
·
Herod would not have needed to have a separate tax
census because he was already in charge of tax assessment and collection for
the Roman Empire and as a Jewish king, he had access to the names
·
The Roman system of registration had no
requirement to return to the place of birth for registration. Property was registered locally and only
Joseph was needed to accomplish that.
Luke’s storytelling reminds his
listeners (the early Christian church in his
region) that the story of Jesus is grounded in the same
realities as their story (and our story).
Jesus was born in a political world, just as we are. For Jesus it was the political world of the
Roman Empire imposing its will on a conquered nation. Everyone needed to be accounted for so they
could be watched for dangerous behaviors that might threaten the Roman
Empire. Everyone needed to be counted so
they could be taxed. Jesus’ world was
and is a familiar setting. The picture
Luke pains is of a disruptive event in the lives of ordinary residents of a
small nation.
But his
narration points to something beyond the Roman Empire’s oppression. This disruption is Holy. This story is about God becoming known in a
baby born in a manger. Luke’s use of
names and situations only serve to ground the story in the flesh and blood of
reality. Our journey of faith begins in
HOLY DISRUPTION.
As the
story goes Mary and Joseph journey to Bethlehem to satisfy the requirements of
the Roman Empire. This would be a
walking trip amidst throngs of people – some going one way, some another. Mary, almost full-term, is carrying the baby
within her in the midst of swarming humanity because he will be the Christ for
all humankind, not just the powerful and protected.
Luke will
tell the story of many women in his gospel.
He begins with Mary who is not left behind while Joseph does his
official business. No, contrary to
practice and imagination, Mary will be with Joseph for the purpose of
registering property assets. Mary too
will be counted.
Luke will
tell of the Ascension of Jesus in Acts 1:7-8.
“It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set
by his own authority. But you will
receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
For Luke,
Joseph and his property count. Mary
counts. And in the meaning of the birth
Luke describes – the whole world counts including us!
In 2010 I
wrote this poem. May it be a reflection
of your Advent journey.
“Wherever you are on
life’s journey, you are welcome here.”
Can
that be true?
The innkeeper said
“no room”
“no room”
Young
Mary journeys with Joseph
along dusty roads
with throngs of
travelers
without a
welcome here, there or anywhere.
Just
to be counted
One……………….Two………………When will it be
Three
A
journey
A familiar journey
A God-sent journey
Destination:
Bethlehem
So
still we see thee lie…
darkness
“no
room”
“no room”
More
than a counting
A birthing
God’s
birthing –
God-with-us
God will all those
counted and ever to be counted
God’s
welcome
We count
God’s
welcome
Whoever you are and wherever you are
on life’s journey…
Our
welcome? Is there room?
Grace
and Peace
Rev.
Clara
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