Only two of the four gospel narratives share stories of Jesus’ birth: Luke and Matthew. Each book gives us a decidedly different perspective on our Savior’s birth. Many of us, knowing the stories so well, have come to overlay the two narratives together. In so doing, we have muddied the payload intended by each gospel when studied alone. Since this new Church Year is centered around the text from Matthew, I’d like to zoom in on that origin story regarding the Christ Child.
The author(s) of Matthew begin by telling us Jesus’ lineage going back to the greatest king, David, and the even greater ancestor of monotheistic faith, Abraham. (Matthew 1:1-17) The book (like the other gospels) goes on to make sure we remember this by sprinkling connections between Jesus and the prophets who spoke of a messiah (savior) figure throughout the rest of the text.
We see most of Jesus’ birth story here through the lens of Joseph, the to-be husband of Mary. The Joseph here is faithful to both Mary and God. Having learned his betrothed is pregnant (and not by him), he plans to leave her quietly and without fanfare, to ensure she is not put to any shame. Then, when an angel of God (in this gospel nameless) comes to Joseph and reveals the true nature of Mary’s pregnancy (that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit), Joseph pivots and becomes determined to protect his new Holy Family. (Matthew 1:17-2:23)
In this gospel narrative, the author has established within just the first few verses that Jesus has a earthly and heavenly birthright. With his presumed parents having a lineage that goes back to David and Abraham, we are expected to see Jesus as a rightful heir to a terrestrial throne. And having been conceived by the Holy Sprit, we discover that this to-be ruler is unlike any others—one of truly divine origins.
As we read on, it becomes particularly clear in in this gospel that Jesus will not be welcome in our world of competing earthly powers. Any messianic figure is a threat to both the empire at large and to regional authorities with provincial and religious sway. The Holy Family must flee and become sojourners and refugees in foreign lands. They must move to different cities and claim new identities. It will not be an easy path ahead for Mary and Joseph, and an even harder path ahead for their son, the Son of God.
Relevant Reformation 