Tag Archive for: Nativity Narratives

Nativity Stories Minus One

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Armodoxy Today: Theophany and the Third Nativity Narrative

There are three Nativity narratives. Two of them are the popular stories around which most Christmas celebrations take place.

In the Gospel of Matthew we briefly encounter the conception, and announcement of the virgin birth of Christ to Joseph. Wise men from the East visit Jesus and bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Because there are three gifts, most traditions believe there were three men, even though the Gospel does not specify the number of men. Beautiful stories and legends have evolved about the travels of the “Three Wise Men.” Following their visit we read one of the horror stories of the New Testament, “The Massacre of the Innocents” (Matthew 2:16-18). After a stay in Egypt, the Holy Family settles in Nazareth, and Jesus was therefore known as a “Nazarene.”

The Gospel of Luke, where the second Nativity narrative is found, is a bit more descriptive. It begins with the conception of both Jesus and his kinsman John the Baptist. We read about the miraculous birth of both and the meeting of their mothers, Elizabeth and Mary. A precious song sung by Mary the Asdvadzadzin glorifying the Lord. Prophecies are exchanged about Jesus and John. The Birth of Jesus takes place during a trip that Joseph and Mary have taken to comply with a census. Jesus is born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and laid in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (2:7) Angels and heavenly hosts sang the praises of God. Beyond the Birth of Christ, Luke records Jesus’ presentation at the temple 40 days after his birth and Simeon’s proclamation (2:22-35). He also recounts a story of the 12-year-old Jesus, who amazes scholars at the temple.

Both Matthew and Luke pick up Jesus’ biographical sketches at age 30 at the River Jordon where he was baptized, the beginning point of his ministry. These are the stories that have inspired Hallmark writers to produce cards and movies for the Christmas season and holiday. Front lawns are adorned with nativity sets and bright lights remind us of the path the Wise Men took. There is one more Nativity narrative which is not often shared, but is the cornerstone for Armodoxy. We will visit that story tomorrow as our Advent season comes to a close.

Today, we read the Song of Mary, sometimes referred to as the Magnificat, in Armenian, Medzadzustseh “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.” (Luke 1:46-55)

Post Theophany: Background

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The Universe is an ordered system of bodies, forces and interactions. The Armenian Church organizes its liturgies and events according to a calendar. The post-Theophany period counts of 40 days to the event of “Dyaruntarch” or the Presentation, described in Luke chapter 2. It may seem a bit odd and backward, but during this post Theophany period, the events leading up to the Theophany are examine in Holy Scripture.

Often the Nativity of Christ, commonly referred to as Christmas, is considered as the first of all celebrations of Jesus Christ’s life. In fact, the Nativity, as well as every other celebration, is defined by the Resurrection, that is, the Easter celebration. In Jesus’ resurrection, death was conquered. “Christ has risen from the grave” was the first “gospel” of the Christian Church. Gospel means, the “Good News.” You might imagine that after the Resurrection, the early Christian community was completely baffled and in shock. They had witnessed the violent death of Jesus, an execution so heinously delivered that nobody would have believed that anyone could have possibly survived that death. And there was no reason to even consider Jesus’ survival because they removed his breathless body from the Cross and placed his body in a tomb. Resurrection was not even considered. But early that morning, Holy Scripture tells us, the visitors to the grave were surprised to find Jesus’ tomb empty.

The Christian Community, which became the Church, was defined by the Resurrection of Christ. “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16) finds its meaning because of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. It was because of the Resurrection that people began to inquire about Jesus and his history, that is, who is he? Where did he come from? Who are his parents? And so on…

The Gospel narratives were written to share the Good News. The Good News was contained in the person of Jesus Christ. The Nativity narratives in St. Matthew and St. Luke’s Gospels were presented to answers questions people had about Jesus’ background: What were the circumstances surrounding his birth? Where was he from? What was the connection with Joseph the Carpenter?

As you recall, in preparation for the Theophany (the Advent period we just concluded) we focused on our spiritual growth to accept the power of the Theophany. Now, we too, like the early Christians, will look a back at the stories that come from Jesus’ childhood. For this reason, the Armenian Church assigns the Nativity narratives to the days following Theophany. The stories we are all familiar with peripherally, will be the focus of our next journey on the road to the Presentation or Diaruntarch.

We begin tomorrow with the stories that lead to the Birth of Christ, from the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke. Each day, we will read the Scripture and find the threads that tie the Birth of Christ, and to our lives today.

Let us pray, Lord Jesus Christ, we are in the joy celebrating your Nativity and Revelation. We stand in awe of your presence in our life. Open our hearts and our minds to all that is You, as we begin in our Scriptural study of the Nativity narratives. May your holy name be glorified today and always. Amen.

Earlier: 9i23
Music: Sacred Music of the Armenian Church, Hachig Kazarian