Provocative title, no? This post-menopausal Jewish woman has been around a long time, but unfortunately, not quite long enough to give you a first-hand account of the true story about Judaism’s most famous son. (Jewish moms today dream of their sons becoming doctors, but Mary put to shame the ubiquitous “My son is a doctor” thing.)
The title comes from the December 17 Newsweek cover, which like, the National Enquirer, leads us to believe we are about to get the inside scoop about the world’s ultimate celeb, if not of his time, then certainly during many generations that came after him.
Newsweek tackles the following:
Was Jesus married? Although life for the average Jewish male at the time of Jesus’ birth would have certainly involved marriage, there has never been any evidence that Jesus took the plunge. That is, until a scrap of papyrus discovered recently revealed the line in which Jesus speaks of “my wife.” While experts debate the authenticity of the fragment (and at this time, it appears to be a hoax), others may wonder if Mary spent any time trying to fix her son up with nice Jewish girls.
When was Jesus born? Alas, the Bible gives no clues as to when Jesus was born or where or who came during visiting hours. The manger is actually referred to as a cave in some sources, a wine cellar in others. The Gospels, themselves, differ widely in their renditions of the birth.
And where? Mary and Joseph, according to the Gospels, made the trip to Bethlehem after a decree by Caesar Augustus that all people had to return to the place of their birth in order to be counted for a census. Verifiable documentation of the reign of Caesar Augustus indicates that no such census was ever called for. But, since the son of God was supposed to have been born in Bethlehem, in Bethlehem it was.
And what’s up with the virgin birth? Again, inconsistencies abound, the least of which is that any virgin birth, save pit vipers, goes against our knowledge of procreation. Yet, across cultures and throughout history, stories of virgin births have been told and retold.
What is clear is that Jesus is the latest in an illustrious line of others who share at least one item of the Jesus story: virgin birth, December 25 birth, star in the sky, shepherds in attendance, betrayal, violent death, risen after three days. Most of the comparisons don’t pan out, but several do. The bottom line is that all cultures have stories that seek to inspire and to teach, rather than to record actual fact. And all cultures borrow from other cultures.
But religious belief (any religious belief) has never been about verifiable facts. Faith, unlike geometry and tax audits, demands no proof. Those of us who choose a faith, also choose to accept the tenets of that faith. You can’t enroll in a college, then not bother to attended classes and get high the time, and still expect a degree. OK, bad example.
So we are once again at the time of year when the faithful will revel in their faith and the non-faithful will get annoyed at all the Christmas music, but will still battle the crowds at the mall. And non-Christians will either ignore all the goings on or will hope that someone invites them to Christmas dinner.
This non-Christian will host a Christmas Eve dinner party populated by Jews and Christians who have no better place to go. She will also honor the memory of her Methodist ex-in-laws by remembering the amazing Christmas holidays they created, where love far outweighed money spent and the midnight church service was magical. Then, on Christmas Day, she will celebrate in the ancient Jewish tradition of seeing two or three movies. But if anyone out there wants to make her feel included, feel free to send gifts.
speaker7
December 19, 2012
I love your Jewish Christmas Day tradition. I might co-opt it for my own.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Uh oh, and here I thought the days of religions stealing traditions from one another were over.
Carl D'Agostino
December 19, 2012
Much of the fairly tale stuff about Jesus was invented and redacted into the Gospel by the 4th and 5th Century Roman Church to appeal to and be somewhat consistent with pagan religions. You can see the politics in it. All the gospels leave out the participation of women in church leadership in 1st and 2nd Centuries which is another sanitation of truth. One book has the baby Jesus visited by Kings as part of respect for royal lineage to David and another has Jesus visited by shepherds the lowest of class and probably gentiles to appeal to that group. The important thing and only important thing is to live Christlike which means never be the source of anyone’s misfortune and never pass up the opportunity to perform a charitable act. I think that is basically how God desires us to live all theology and philosophy and sectarianism aside.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Well said, Carl. Rhetoric aside, the highest any of us can aspire to is to live from love and not fear and and to truly believe that each of us is responsible for the well-being of all of us.
viewsfromsue
December 19, 2012
I am a follower of Jesus and thoroughly enjoyed this post. I think you touched on a lot of interesting points.My aim at Christmas is to show His love to everyone I encounter (somedays I do better than others!!) I love your tradition of watching 2 or 3 movies. Sounds good to me. 🙂
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Thanks. No one religion or religious belief has a lock on love.
Hippie Cahier
December 19, 2012
You might find John Prine’s treatise on Jesus, the Missing Years informative. 🙂
Here’s wishing you a joyous winter solstice time, filled with love and magic, friends and family and laughter.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Thanks Hippie. I’ll check it out. Have you read Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christs’ Childhood Pal? One of the best books I’ve ever read.
Lynne Spreen
December 19, 2012
I love the holidays, but lately they seem to involve more than their share of drama and discord. Hopefully that won’t happen to you. Enjoy what Carolyn Hax of the Washington Post calls the Holiday Hootenanny of Horrors. Best wishes, my friend.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Oh my, what a title. My days of holiday mayhem are over. I’ve survived. I wish you a holiday free of drama and dischord. And I think there is another coment on your GA post.
Laurie Mirkin
December 19, 2012
Renee, you forgot one thing that Jews do Christmas day in addition to seeing 2 or 3 movies. We would head out to our favorite local Chinese restaurant, which would be like a beacon shining in an otherwise dark world. Have a great holiday!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
I almost added that, except this year I will be dining on Tub-O-Popcorn instead. But, yes, that was a favorite of the non-Kosher set. My family was Kosher, so we never set foot in a Chinese restaurant. Sob. Come to think of it, we didn’t have money so we never went to th movies, either. Have a great holiday, my friend.
Teresa Cleveland Wendel
December 19, 2012
We’ll be on the ski slopes.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Have a great time!
jesusartprints
December 19, 2012
I loved the cute little illustration and your expression of thoughts. Thank you. 🙂
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
You are welcome.
notquiteold
December 19, 2012
I’m not very religious, but I love the whole Christmas thing – the corny, but in your blood, music; the trees and lights, the dressing up, the exchange of presents, the food. I love it all, and it’s not hard to pretend you’re a Christian for all of that.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
When my kids were growing up, we spent Christmas at my Methodist in-laws. I was the most enthusiastic of everyone.
mo
December 20, 2012
Loved this post…….Merry whatever Holidays!
mo
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
And the same to you, Mo.
BABYBOOMER johanna van zanten
December 20, 2012
Hi,
Nice post, I can identify with its tenets as a non-believer.
I am spending this time before Christmas in a small village in west-central Mexico where Christmas is just a tiny bit less significant than the birthday of the virgin of Guadaloupe, also known as the Queen of Mexico. The population of Ajijic located on the shores of Lake Chapala are very devout and celebrate a number of fiestas all with religious meaning. Since arriving after the first week of December I was at mass at leat 5 times and enjoying it fully. The execution of the religion is a riot of colour and music and all of the flock pretty much participates, bands included. The procession goes around town and ends up in the church for 3 consecutive days; the evening mass of the day before the Virgin of Guadaloup Day, Dec 12, was followed by a serenade to the virgin by a good number of the bands in town, Mariachis, romantic balladeers and all other musical types you can think of. Marvellous. I regret I do not have their capacity to believe. Anyway, their religion is alive and well and of the people, not of the pope.
Johanna van Zanten
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Oh, how fabulous, Johanna. I have been to Mexico several times, but I’ve never been lucky enough to experience a Virgin of Guadeloup Day. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
BobG
December 20, 2012
Remember the reason for this festive season: Happy Winter Solstice.
No faith required. Only have to believe that the Sun will rise again tomorrow.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 20, 2012
Damn, Bob, all you have to do is change “rise again” to “come out” and put the words to a catchy tune and you’ve got the start of a Broadway show.
benzeknees
December 20, 2012
“I have no gifts to bring, pah rump pah pum” Sorry this year I can’t afford gifts, so I will just wish you the best, however you choose to celebrate this time of year.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 21, 2012
I’ll accept that gift, gratefully!
oldervoter
December 20, 2012
Loved the post. Progressive Christian here–universalist and all that–love this season of so many holidays . . . don’t forget Festivus.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 21, 2012
Yes, Festivus, and all else!
Ms Kimmy
December 20, 2012
Great post. I am actually going to steal a portion of it to quote on my FB page. And yes, I will give you the credit, of course!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 21, 2012
I’m honored.
Ms Kimmy
December 20, 2012
I will be heading north on Christmas morning. Not to spend time with family (like the good old days), but to take advantage of the time off work to do some much needed 2nd home improvements. Times have changed. For sure. At least in my case.
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 21, 2012
My holidays now, as well, are so different than the way they used to be. Have a great trip up north.
Mortimer
December 21, 2012
I am an atheist but I do believe in Peace on Earth, Goodwill to everyone. I love what Christmas represents. Christmas is my tradition as is Charlie Brown, Scrooge, the Grinch, Rudolpf and the Bailey’s Savings & Loan. Merry, merry and Happy New Year!
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 21, 2012
I like that: Merry, Merry and Happy New Year to you!
Vonnie
December 24, 2012
Love the post! LOVE the cute little manger scene even more! I have a girlfriend who collects them! Where did you find it?
Life in the Boomer Lane
December 24, 2012
Thanks, Vonnie. Re the manger scene: I simply searched Google images. Have a glorious holiday.