On the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, 1
Part One of Five
An examination of the Orthodox story of Christ’s Nativity, how and why this differs from the Western story, and what the significance is of the same.
Introduction
Last year at Christmastime I read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson to my daughter. I have previously blogged about this, but for completeness, I’ll recap my experience here. Like the other times I had read it I was quite moved by the story. This time, however, two things struck me. First, the Herdmans, the villainous clan of kids who terrorize the rest of the characters, really got it. They heard the Gospel and were saved.
Second, and more important to this essay, for the first time I was struck by the falsity (as I perceived it) of the details of the Pageant. The Pageant in the book is the basic Western image of The Nativity. Mary and Joseph are young and poor. They have traveled a long way and are tired and feeling a little lost. (The narrator even comments that “Ralph and Imogene looked like refugees, which Joseph and Mary were, if you think about it.”)
This is not the Orthodox icon of the Nativity. (I use the word icon in the broad sense of “image.” When used to refer to an Icon in the strict sense, it will be made clear.) How are the Western and the Orthodox icons of The Nativity different? Why are they so? Does it matter? I believe the Western and Orthodox icons of The Nativity are profoundly different, largely arising from changes in the post-Schism West, and have a subtle, but unfortunate consequence in an appreciation of the Incarnation.
A note about sources: I will make some attempt to cite sources for the varied information herein. Unfortunately my only means of researching this article is the Internet. Therefore, some references may be to less than ideal sources. Nonetheless, I believe my thesis is sound.
I hope this pique’s your interest. This represents the first time I’ve tried to write anything like an academic essay in several years, so the gears are a little rusty.
It does indeed pique my interest! Looking forward to reading it. God bless and guide you.
Off to read your previous article…
Oooooo, this looks really interesting! I can’t wait to read the rest of your posts. I’m going to have to save them for future reading too.
Any sources will be fine. They help to inform the reader and, at least in my case, will spur me to find others.
I’m nuts that way ya know!
Deb says:
This does look very interesting and I can’t wait to read more.
can I link to my blog??
I’m with Ian and Philippa, my interest is piqued as well.
It’s been a long time since I read that book.
Deb,
Link if you wish.