ARCHAEOLOGY AND CHRISTMAS

 

Archaeology is a branch of history. Whereas history deals with documents, archaeology deals with artifacts. Artifacts are tangible objects that often verify what appear in documents. The term artifact can also be used to refer to the remains of an object, such as a shard of broken pottery or glassware.

For instance, Luke reports that the birth of Jesus happened when “Quirinius was governor of Syria.” For years, some scholars questioned the accuracy of the statement. However, we now have evidence that Quirinius was governor of Syria around 7 B.C. This assumption is based on an inscription found in Antioch ascribing to Quirinius this post. As a result of this finding, it is now supposed that he was governor twice -- once in 7 B.C. and in 6 AD. This historical detail helps to confirm the accuracy of Luke’s report on the timing of the birth of Jesus.

Both Matthew and Luke refer to Nazareth as the place from which Joseph and Mary left for Bethlehem. For many years the existence of Nazareth was questioned. Doubters contended that there was no archaeological evidence to support its existence in the first century. With that skepticism, the reliability of the biblical text was questioned; more specifically, stories of the birth and upbringing of Jesus.

René Salm was a case in point. In his book The Myth of Nazareth, The Invented Town of Jesus, he argued that Nazareth didn’t begin to exist until the second century AD, after Jesus was born. To be fair, for years the archaeological evidence for a first-century Nazareth was scant.

As is often the case, however, archaeological finds in recent years have vindicated the biblical record, with numerous first-century discoveries. Tombs with fragments of ossuaries (bone boxes) have now been excavated in Nazareth, indicating a Jewish presence there in the first century. Storage pits and cisterns from the time of Jesus have been discovered. Archaeologists contend that about 350 persons may have lived in Nazareth with Jesus. Today, more than 50,000 persons live there. Again, Archaeology corroborated the biblical text.

In May 2012, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced the discovery of a bulla (a tiny clay seal) which mentions Bethlehem, the city of David and the birthplace of Jesus. The report said: ‘The first ancient artifact constituting tangible evidence of the existence of the city of Bethlehem was recently discovered in Jerusalem. The three lines of ancient Hebrew script stamped on the bulla read: ‘From the town of Bethlehem to the King’.

However, I would be the first to agree that Archaeology does not prove that the Bible is true. Archaeology is extremely useful in that it supplies cultural, epigraphic and artifactual materials that provide the background for accurately interpreting the Bible. Because of Archaeological discoveries, many liberal and conservative scholars contend that Luke is “erudite, eloquent and that his use of Greek approaches classical quality.”

Archaeology then, has illuminated and corroborated the Bible in numerous ways. The interpreter finds in archaeology a good friend for understanding and substantiating Scripture. One’s confidence can be enhanced where the truths of Scripture impinge on historical events.

In his book, What Mean These Stones, Yale Professor of Archaeology, Millar Burrows, makes the point, that “archaeological work has unquestionably strengthened confidence in the reliability of the Scriptural record. More than one archaeologist has found his respect for the Bible increased by the experience of excavation in Palestine.”

My faith is strengthened whenever I read the reports of Jesus’ birth, as told by Matthew and Luke. Other than the theological matters of Jesus’ messiahship, I believe that the events actually happened. Nazareth, Jerusalem and Bethlehem actually existed in the first century. Quirinius, Herod and Caesar Augustus were actual political leaders. Historical details like these undermine notions of myth, fiction and legend. Instead, historical details deal with reality and state what actually happened.

I strongly recommend that you read the first two chapters in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke this Christmas. You will see where the writers tell their stories to convince their audiences that the birth of Jesus and the events around the birth actually happened. However, just as the writers were convinced that they were reporting on what actually happened, they were equally convinced that someone from outside of our human experience, played a big role in the birth of Jesus.

Paul contended, the person who played that bigger role was God. This is how he described it, “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son (Jesus), born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4). This is a good season to remember that the science of Archaeology corroborated the story of the birth of God’s son.

Whereas Archaeology is useful in affirming the circumstances associated with the coming of Jesus, Archaeology cannot affirm the purpose of His coming. As His name implies, Jesus was born to save. Thankfully, His ability to save is still evident. Have you found this to be true in your life?

 

 

 

WHEN WAS JESUS BORN?

Jesus never celebrated Christmas – neither did any of His disciples. Actually, for more than 300 years after the birth of Jesus, no one celebrated Christmas. The few birthday ceremonies we have recorded in the Bible were celebrated in non-Jewish communities.

Celebrating birthdays was never a Jewish practice. Because of the influence of Judaism on early Christianity, that non-interest became evident. The church even announced that it was sinful to contemplate observing Christ’s birthday “as though He were a King Pharaoh.”

The idea of celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25 was first suggested sometime in the year 300. Other dates like January 6, March 25 and May 20 were suggested. May 20 became a favored date since Luke stated in his report – the shepherds who received the announcement of Christ’s birth “were watching their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). It is believed that shepherds guarded their flocks day and night only at lambing time, in the spring.

The early church fathers debated their options and chose December 25 because this date may have had a connection with the pagan celebration of the Dies Solis Invicti (Day of the Invincible Sun). Some believe that the choice of December 25 provided Christians with an alternative festival in place of the one held in honor of the sun-god, who was often identified with Mithras. So, it was not until December 25, 337 AD/CE, Christians officially celebrated the first Christmas.

Some historians contend that in the early 300’s, the cult of Mithraism was a serious threat to Christianity. For a period of time Mithraism was even proclaimed to be the official state religion by Emperor Aurelian (274). It was not until the reign of Emperor Constantine, Christianity began to receive favor from the state.

In 337, Constantine gave December 25 his blessing to observe the birth of Jesus. With time the observance of Christmas eclipsed the pagan festival of honoring the birthday of Mithras.

Initially, the celebration of Christ’s birth was a sacred event. In Christ’s honor, there was Christ’s mass – from which we get the term Christmas - the suffix mas evolves from the Old English word maesse meaning festival, feast day or mass.

By the year AD 360 the church was intentionally celebrating the birth, life, death and resurrection of Christ. By AD 386, Chrysostom, the great church leader, emphasized, “...without the birth of Christ there is no Baptism, no Passion, no Resurrection, no Ascension and no Pouring out of the Holy Spirit ...’ ”

As the centuries unfolded, the tradition grew to include Epiphany, January 6, when the visit of the Wise men is celebrated – this celebration preceded the celebration of Christmas as we know it. It is on this day that the Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas.

At this point in its evolving history, Christmas has adopted many traditions, many of these traditions from non-Christian sources. One tradition that has captured the season is the role of Santa Claus. The term is from the Dutch name 'Sinterklaas' – Saint Nicholas in English.

Saint Nicholas was born on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey sometime about 270 CE. He was the son of wealthy Christian parents who died when he was young - he was raised by an uncle, also called Nicholas, a Catholic Bishop of ancient Lycia. 

Saint Nicholas eventually became a priest during a dangerous time of persecution for Christians - he later became the Bishop of Myra. He was famous for his generous gifts to the poor and was also associated with kindness towards children. The images of Saint Nicholas usually show an old man with long, grey hair and a beard. In Roman Catholic tradition, the Feast Day of Saint Nicholas is December 6th – the day of his death.

In the 16th Century in Europe, the stories and traditions about St. Nicholas had become very unpopular. But someone had to deliver gifts to children at Christmas, so in the United Kingdom, he became 'Father Christmas', a character from old children's stories. In France, he was then known as 'Père Nöel'; in Germany, the 'Christ Kind'.

Early in American history, the German image of ‘Christ Kind’ became known as 'Kris Kringle'. Later, Dutch settlers in America took the old stories of St. Nicholas with them and Kris Kringle became 'Sinterklaas' or as we now say 'Santa Claus'!

In the mix of traditions, it is easy to lose sight of the biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ. In response, some Christians withdraw from the season. Others become so absorbed with the traditional trimmings, they lose sight of the main story.

For me, I reread the biblical story of Christ’s birth and use the season as an opportunity to recall the uniqueness of His birth, and not merely the traditions that surround the birth.

 

 

ISLAM AND THE VIRGIN BIRTH

Muslims believe that Jesus was the son of Mary. In addition, they believe that Jesus was conceived without the intervention of a human father. The Qur'an describes that an angel appeared to Mary, to announce to her the "gift of a holy son" (Qur’an 19:19). She was astonished at the news, and asked: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?" (19:20). When the angel explained to her that she had been chosen for the service of God and that God had ordained the matter, she devoutly submitted herself to His will.

Mary is the only named woman mentioned in Islam’s holy book, the Qur’an - she is mentioned 34 times. Called Maryam in Arabic, Mary has an entire chapter/sura (19) in the Qur’an named for her. Interestingly, Mary’s name is mentioned more times in the Qur’an than in the entire New Testament. The story of the birth of Jesus in the Qur’an contends that his first miracle took place when he spoke as an infant. It is alleged that Jesus said (Sura/Chapter 19:29), “I am the servant of God… He has exhorted me to honour my mother and has purged me of vanity and wickedness. Blessed was I on the day I was born, and blessed I shall be on the day of my death and on the day I shall be raised to life”.

Because of the interest shown in aspects of the birth of Jesus, some believe that that interest can be used as a bridge to dialog with Muslims. Particularly, some Roman Catholics, because of their emphasis in the doctrine of Mariology, have been exploring their mutual interests with Muslims. Evangelicals, however, tend to be less gullible regarding this tepid affirmation of the Virgin Birth.

Actually, Arab evangelicals tend to be offended by the idea. Imad Shehadeh, Founder and President of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary believes, “… it is nice that Christians and Muslims can use Mary as a bridge, but so what?” Imad contends, “it is the nature of any system that rejects a superior truth to elevate less important truths or to mix error with lesser truths.” Islam celebrates the virgin birth, but denies Jesus’ deity and his death and resurrection – even though the Maryam chapter/sura states clearly that Jesus would die and then rise again. That major truth is denied elsewhere in the Qur’an.

It would be prudent to observe, not only what Islam affirms about the Virgin Birth, but what Islam denies about it. For instance, there is no mention of Joseph the carpenter, nor any recollection of the inn, the manger or Simeon who officiated at Jesus’ dedication as an infant. The Qur’an describes that Mary retreated from her people, outside the city, and gave birth to Jesus underneath a remote date palm tree. The tree miraculously provided nourishment for her during labour and delivery.

The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us that Adam, the first human being, was born with neither a human mother nor a human father. Accordingly, “Jesus is like Adam in the sight of God. He created him of dust and then said to him: ‘Be,’ and he was” (Sura/Chapter 3:59). In Islam, Jesus is regarded as a human prophet and messenger of God, not part of God Himself. In Islam, Jesus is not considered to be divine. Honestly, “…in Islam, the baby growing in Mary’s womb is part of creation. In Christianity, the baby growing in Mary’s womb is actually the Creator”.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul presented Jesus as “the firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15). The description was speaking of Jesus’ pre-existence. The word “firstborn” signifies priority. In the culture of the Ancient Near East, the firstborn was not necessarily the oldest child. Firstborn referred to rank, not to birth-order. The firstborn possessed the inheritance and leadership. The phrase expresses Jesus’ sovereignty over creation. In the New Testament, Jesus is referred to as the firstborn of God on six occasions. Each passage made reference to Jesus’ pre-existence and sovereignty.

Furthermore, in the same letter to the Colossians, Paul went on to say of Jesus, “for by him, all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created by him and for him” (Colossians 1:16). As far as Paul was concerned, the Bethlehem story of Jesus’ birth was not his origin. Like other New Testament writers, Paul believed that at Bethlehem, God came to dwell among his creatures. Wasn’t this what Joseph was told by an angel? “The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).

Unlike the Qur’an, the Bible consistently recognizes the pre-existence and sovereignty of Jesus. Through the doctrine of the Incarnation, Christians believe that the eternal Son of God took on human flesh, without losing any of his divine nature. That miraculous, history-changing event took place in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Hundreds of years earlier, the prophet Isaiah alluded to this when he said: “The Lord himself will give you a sign – The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14). Interestingly, in reporting on the birth of Jesus, Matthew quotes this prophecy from Isaiah (Matthew 1:22). Matthew recognized that the birth of Jesus was unique. It was more than another fatherless birth, like Adam.

A proper understanding of the Virgin Birth preserves the truth that Jesus is fully God and fully man. Jesus did not acquire divinity because of the life he lived, nor because of a ruling by a Church Council. He came as Immanuel, and did not become Immanuel later.