I grew up in a Lutheran family and learned the story of Christmas according to as it's told in the books of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament of the Bible.
Over the years I've seen interpretations of this story retold time-and-time again during Christmas programs. While living in Viroqua and being a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, I watched my son participate in the program, usually playing the part of a shepherd or reading as a narrator. Watching children participate in this play is wonderful and there are plenty of camera- and video-worthy moments. When I served as a Sunday School teacher it seemed like preparing for the Christmas program was a crazy, anxiety-filled time. But, as long as everyone at the program stays healthy, any thing off cue is usually adorable.
While I was a child, I participated in a similar Christmas program at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Janesville. I didn't directly have to play a role as I was a member of the children's choir, which sang special music during the performance. I can remember gathering with the choir - my mom was the director - and singing Christmas songs. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is my favorite, because it's a song that's best sang joyfully loud.
The portions of the story we focus on retelling on Christmas Eve come from Matthew 2 and Luke 2. The book of Luke talks about Jesus being born and nearby shepherds being told of the good news and sent to rejoice at the birth. The book of Matthew tells the story of the Three Kings being led by dreams to worship and give gifts to Jesus under a star they followed.
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed," according to Matthew. "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."
The book of Luke is more descriptive, telling the story starting from Joshua taking Mary to Jerusalem due to a census. The story said they went to Bethlehem as they were searching for a place to stay.
"...As they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night," Luke continues. "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"
Then, according to Luke, the shepherds talked about what they had witnessed and went to go see the baby for themselves. The shepherds found Joseph, Mary and the baby in the manger. When they left they "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."
We have used our imaginations to lay out a scene of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in a manger, that is brightly lit and all of the animals surrounding them. And in the scene, there are three kings from far-away lands who are presenting gifts to Jesus. They are surrounded by shepherds from the lands nearby, who are there to see what the angel had told them. And above them all is a bright star in the sky.
This scene has been envisioned countless times, rendered in art by masters through the last 1,800 years.
Viewing images of paintings related to the nativity is a study in different types of art through the ages. I found the interpretations to be enlightening. Just as a person can get in the Christmas spirit by decorating, preparing gifts and planning family events, looking at these paintings helps awaken the spirit.
The earliest known nativity image dates to the second or third century and is located in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. The rust-colored painting depicts Mary holding Jesus with an angel pointing to a star in the background. It is a very simple painting, especially when compared to Renaissance pieces done 1,000-plus years later.
Many paintings of the scene are incredibly elaborate depicting a heavenly host above the manger, which is filled with the three kings, shepherds, angels and Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
From simple to glowing and glorified, the birth of Jesus has been depicted in seemingly every way.
Today the Biblical importance of the birth of Jesus is recognized in entertainment.
Every year I watch the replaying of the 1965 television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas." As the Peanuts gang works on its Christmas program, and Charlie Brown is perplexed over the materialism that accompanies the season, a question arises: "Does anyone know what Christmas is about?"
Linus then relates the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus, repeating the message of the Christmas angel to the shepherds, "Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord."
The best Christmas movies, from "It's a Wonderful Life," to "Christmas Vacation," find in them a moment of redemption, a feeling which all people can share at Christmas and every day of the year.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays to all.
- Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
Over the years I've seen interpretations of this story retold time-and-time again during Christmas programs. While living in Viroqua and being a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, I watched my son participate in the program, usually playing the part of a shepherd or reading as a narrator. Watching children participate in this play is wonderful and there are plenty of camera- and video-worthy moments. When I served as a Sunday School teacher it seemed like preparing for the Christmas program was a crazy, anxiety-filled time. But, as long as everyone at the program stays healthy, any thing off cue is usually adorable.
While I was a child, I participated in a similar Christmas program at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Janesville. I didn't directly have to play a role as I was a member of the children's choir, which sang special music during the performance. I can remember gathering with the choir - my mom was the director - and singing Christmas songs. "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" is my favorite, because it's a song that's best sang joyfully loud.
The portions of the story we focus on retelling on Christmas Eve come from Matthew 2 and Luke 2. The book of Luke talks about Jesus being born and nearby shepherds being told of the good news and sent to rejoice at the birth. The book of Matthew tells the story of the Three Kings being led by dreams to worship and give gifts to Jesus under a star they followed.
"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed," according to Matthew. "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh."
The book of Luke is more descriptive, telling the story starting from Joshua taking Mary to Jerusalem due to a census. The story said they went to Bethlehem as they were searching for a place to stay.
"...As they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night," Luke continues. "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.'"
Then, according to Luke, the shepherds talked about what they had witnessed and went to go see the baby for themselves. The shepherds found Joseph, Mary and the baby in the manger. When they left they "spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child."
We have used our imaginations to lay out a scene of Joseph, Mary and Jesus in a manger, that is brightly lit and all of the animals surrounding them. And in the scene, there are three kings from far-away lands who are presenting gifts to Jesus. They are surrounded by shepherds from the lands nearby, who are there to see what the angel had told them. And above them all is a bright star in the sky.
This scene has been envisioned countless times, rendered in art by masters through the last 1,800 years.
Viewing images of paintings related to the nativity is a study in different types of art through the ages. I found the interpretations to be enlightening. Just as a person can get in the Christmas spirit by decorating, preparing gifts and planning family events, looking at these paintings helps awaken the spirit.
The earliest known nativity image dates to the second or third century and is located in the Catacomb of Priscilla in Rome. The rust-colored painting depicts Mary holding Jesus with an angel pointing to a star in the background. It is a very simple painting, especially when compared to Renaissance pieces done 1,000-plus years later.
Many paintings of the scene are incredibly elaborate depicting a heavenly host above the manger, which is filled with the three kings, shepherds, angels and Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
From simple to glowing and glorified, the birth of Jesus has been depicted in seemingly every way.
Today the Biblical importance of the birth of Jesus is recognized in entertainment.
Every year I watch the replaying of the 1965 television special "A Charlie Brown Christmas." As the Peanuts gang works on its Christmas program, and Charlie Brown is perplexed over the materialism that accompanies the season, a question arises: "Does anyone know what Christmas is about?"
Linus then relates the Biblical account of the birth of Jesus, repeating the message of the Christmas angel to the shepherds, "Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a savior, which is Christ the Lord."
The best Christmas movies, from "It's a Wonderful Life," to "Christmas Vacation," find in them a moment of redemption, a feeling which all people can share at Christmas and every day of the year.
Merry Christmas. Happy Holidays to all.
- Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.
