Wednesday, December 7, 2016

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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