The tradition of miracle births

We Americans find it difficult to understand the political, social and religious framework of the era of Jesus of Nazareth. We only know democracy and democratic processes. In Jesus’ day, all authority was from top down. Democracy demands that authority be passed from bottom up. It is not always easy to shift our thinking into a different era, a different culture, and into different understandings. So it is with Bible reading and especially with the Christmas story and its meaning. We struggle in ignorance to understand.

Giving birth was one of the great miracles of the ancient western world. A newborn taking her/his first breath was the miracle of all miracles. The birth experience in the tradition of Israel and Christianity cannot be over-stated. According to the John gospel, Nicodemus asked Jesus what he must do to inherit a life that never ended. He was taken aback by the Jesus response. “You must be born again.” When Nicodemus heard the answer he responded “I am an old man. Can I return to my mother’s womb and be born all over again?” Jesus put it into mystery and beyond understanding by restating that Nicodemus had to be born from above.

As a born-again Christian, I find over and over again that I see the world and life itself through different eyes. My commitment to the Kingdom of God overrides my commitment to America. It is because of my rebirth.

The roots of Judaism is found in the miracle of the birth of Isaac when his mother was an old woman, well past her age of conceiving. The future of the Israelite clan was preserved in the birth of Moses to a slave mother in Egypt. In the late 8th century B.C.E., when the life of Israel was in complete chaos (three kings were assassinated in a brief period of time), Isaiah in beautiful poetry, said that the hope of the nation was in a child that was to be born to a young woman. Isaiah declared that peace would finally come to Israel only through a son yet to be born.

The phenomenon of change through birth is also a part of American history. We speak often of the “birth” of our nation. There had never been anything like our nation. Speaking symbolically, we have been the child that was given the opportunity to lead the world to its new day. Lincoln in his Gettysburg Address claimed a new “birth” of freedom for the nation. War had decimated our union and our ideals. Lincoln saw a way past the perils of war, killing and hatred. It was the path that is created by a new birth.

I am optimistic about the future, not just for America, but for the whole world because new generations are arriving uncorrupted by the scoundrels that surround them. I have rejoiced with the arrival of all of our grandchildren. In June we rejoiced in the arrival of our first two great-grandchildren (twins). A boy and a girl, named Matthew Benedict Bess and Sarah Scholastica Bess. The world will be OK and will thrive, not because of tired old politicians or because of filthy rich, arrogant and selfish tycoons, but because of the possibilities of the newborn.

The coming of Jesus into the world and the celebrations of that arrival are great reminders of the promise of new life and joy through the phenomenon of new birth. Birth and rebirth are an essential part of Christian faith.

I love the Christmas season. I especially love singing the ageless Christmas carols that bear witness to virgin birth, a manger in an animal barn, a teenager spouting beautiful poetry, sages galloping across the desert on their camels, shepherds listening to heavenly choirs, and a king frightened to death of a new born baby. Please do not require me to believe these events as history. Allow them to stand as witness to one of the fundamentals of Israelite, Muslim and Christian faith. Creative change and a bright future lie in the new births that are built into the very nature of life.

For a child will be born for us, a son given to us.

And he shall be called in purpose wonderful

In battle God-like, Father for all time, Prince of Peace.

Great will be his leadership and his peace will be boundless.

Set on a throne that is firm, he will bring stability.

He will bring justice and righteousness now and for evermore.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.

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