Question 159, from Helen P, United Kingdom

Christmas cards and nativity scenes depict Mary and Joseph being turned away from Inn and seeking sanctuary in a stable, but I was told that Mary and Joseph stayed with ‘family’ and were downstairs with the animals which was quite normal for that time. Which is right?

One problem with harmonising the two nativity stories in Matthew and Luke is that there seems to be some disagreement over where the story begins. Matthew makes no reference to Nazareth until after the family return from Egypt when Joseph settles there for safety (Matthew chapter 2, verse 22-23). In chapter 1, verse 24, it says he (more…)

Question 158, from Tim, United Kingdom

Tim wrote a very long question regarding the discrepancies between the genealogies listed for Jesus in both Matthew and Luke. Here’s a summary of his questions:

Why do the genealogies between David and Jesus differ so much?
Why are there only 12 (or 13 if you count Jesus) generations after the exile in Matthew’s account, when the writer claims there are 14 in each era?
How can the claim that one genealogy reflects Mary’s ancestry be supported?
Are we told anywhere in the Bible that Mary is descended from David?
Does this discrepancy cast doubt on the Bible as ‘the infallible Word of God’?
(more…)

Question 157, from Samantha

Why do Christians have Christmas tree baubles when I’ve heard that they derive from “witch balls”?

Several pre-Christian traditions were reinvented, or ‘Christianised’ as Christmas was established. The date of Christmas was established as the 25 December, partly to supersede the Roman festival of Saturnalia1. And it is notable that even certain elements within the birth stories of Jesus contained in the gospels have parallels in pagan religion2. However, the link between Christmas tree baubles and so-called ‘witch balls’ is harder to prove. (more…)

Question 126 from Matt, United Kingdom
Astrology is wrong… God said it, Daniel was shouted at for it. Why then did the wise men, when looking for the baby Jesus, follow the stars to where he was?

Although astrology, as a form of divination, is specifically condemned in the Old Testament (eg in Leviticus chapter 19, verse 26), this prohibition only extended to the Israelites, as the chosen people who had received the divine law.

The nation of Israel was forbidden to practice astrology because it was closely linked to worship of the stars and other heavenly bodies, which made it a form of idolatry. It also detracted from the divine Law entrusted to Israel, and the fact that Yahweh dwelt among the Israelites in the Temple at Jerusalem. The Old Testament writers placed an emphasis on how Yahweh – and the worship of Yahweh – was meant to be the focus of the Israelite people.

However, there are two important things to be drawn from the story of the wise men visiting Jesus. Firstly, (more…)

In a seasonal vein, freelance theology presents an answer to a question from NG, United Kingdom.

What did the angel Gabriel look like?

Gabriel is the name given to the angel who announced to Mary that she would give birth to Jesus supernaturally (Luke chapter 1, verses 26-38), having already announced the conception of John the Baptist to John’s father Zechariah (Luke chapter 1, verses 11-20). The name was also applied to the angel who interpreted visions for the prophet Daniel in Daniel chapter 8, verses 15-26 and chapter 9, verses 20-27.

The white school nativity outfit complete with a tinsel halo and pretty wings is (more…)