happy birthday jesus and erin.

not sure the format we're looking for. more or less rambling my thoughts and questions... looking forward to hearing your different perspectives and insights...

so much that could be said and asked about each one of these texts. the beginning of the gospels. the introduction of christ. the christmas story that is easy to rush through because it seems so familiar. each account seems so different. what do we make of inconsistencies? do they lead to doubt of scripture's reliability? do they give us insight into the motives of the writers?do they help us understand the overall story from a variety of perspectives? do they give us different ways to personally connect to scripture?

i'm a fan of john. and the opening paragraph already sets up themes that reoccur throughout. the emphasis on jesus' oneness with God. a union that has existed since "the beginning" (whenever that was). the symbolism of Light. an intangible something. not directly seen. or touched. but a source of illumination. that which allows us to see. i associate "the Word" with Christ, but i don't necessarily understand the meaning of it. what was its connotation in the original text? why did the author not feel it necessary to give details of "the Word becoming flesh?" perhaps that absense of a literal birth story adds to the mystery and divinity of Christ so evident in john.

mark, the gospel written first, gives no birth story. but starts "the beginning of the good news" with john the baptist and jesus as grown ups. did the author consider the birth story irrelevant? why did the birth story gain relevance in later gospels?

matthew and luke. very different accounts of the same event. in matthew, joseph sees the angel. wise men visit. my version says wise men find jesus in a house. whoa. what about the lowly manger? there's something regal and magical about the birth. i wonder what was going on astrologically to prompt the magi to travel so far. the author makes it known first thing that this is The Messiah. a direct descendent of abraham. i often skim through geneologies. but it is interesting to slow down and look at them. interesting the women included in matthew's list: rahab, ruth, the wife of uriah, and mary. interesting that matthew starts with abraham. goes by fathers. where as luke - who saves the geneology business for a few chapters in, perhaps it not being as top priority - starts with jesus, ends with God. goes by sons. john the baptist is absent in matthew. but an important figure in luke's story. different people are graced with angels in luke: zechariah, mary, and the shepherds. and its in luke where mary and joseph settle for that lowly manger. more ordinary guests. more humble setting.

how much do the differences in the stories relate to the authors' purposes and agendas? how do we approach the inconsistencies? and what do you make of the virgin birth? do you believe that literally? and to use a phrase so eloquently put by my friend matt: what would if feel like to get "knocked up by the holy spirit?" how do you feel about the connection made between having favor with God and becoming a mother - in the case of both mary and elizabeth? how do you feel about mary's spirit of surrender? do you have a favorite account? is there one you connect the most with? what details do you question? are there parts you can't accept?