INSISTING ABOUT THE NATIVITY

   Although, in my opinion, the issue of whether inside of the alleged stable of Bethlehem, where the Christian tradition places the birth of Jesus, had or not a ox, donkey, shepherds, star, etc., is  not, even remotely, between the main problems that currently have the Catholic Church, it seems that the current holder of the Chair of St. Peter, Benedict XVI, has a predilection for this issue, which, not without some controversy, already had avowed on several occasions.

   On the occasion of Christmas 2007, the Pope Ratzinger, had installed at the Vatican a birth that was diametrically away from the traditional concept, placing the event in Nazareth, within a traditional family of the time, stripped of all the classic ingredients with which is identifies  this celebration throughout the world; issue that caused great surprise and abundant controversy. Now, with the recent publication of his book "Childhood of Jesus", returns to delve into the same issue, although changing some nuances, for to be again subject of comment in all media of comunication.

   From the respect and consideration that is due to a person of such high social importance, as is the case of the Pope, I think, in this case, he is committing a great mistake. Trying to change habits and manners so ingrained in the Catholic heritage, without an obvious reason for this, is causing much discrepancy without provide any benefit. If, surreptitiously, the aim of this is to divert attention from the real problems that have in this Institution, I think this is not the best method nor the best route to get it.

Note. - In connection with this issue, which has returned to occupy a place on the latest news, herewith the article published in the newspaper "The New Spain" of Oviedo, dated January 12, 2008, entitled "GOODBYE TO THE BETHLEHEM".

C. Díaz Fdez.

Oviedo, November 23, 2012

¡GOODBYE TO THE BETHLEHEM!   

       

   As a regular reader of New Spain, I read with particular care, and some astonishment, the article published in this newspaper, date 27/12/07, on its last page, under the heading: "The Pope revolutionizes the bethlehem."

   In these times, in which science and research have been commissioned to question, even eliminate,  some old taboos and beliefs that were deeply rooted in the popular tradition, and in which unstoppable process, not infrequently,  the Catholic Church has been involved, it seems surprising that the maximum current representative of this institution, Benedict XVI, wants to enter in this dynamic, with the alleged intention to change, it is not known if the historical facts, but if the tradition of centuries, the place and atmosphere in that Catholics always have identified as the birthplace of Jesus. It is truth that, not infrequently, was discussed Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, placing the happening in Nazareth, but so is the fact that there is no historical data for to place this event in this town of Galilee. What is new is that a Pope, for actively or passively, try changing what until now had been admitted by almost all, and that, moreover, is so deeply rooted in the Christian community.

   It is noteworthy, that the historical accounts known, and the Gospels, are not exactly clear and specific with regard to the birth of Jesus, both on place and at the date. The prophet Micah pointed out, in the eighth century. BC., that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. The Gospels also contemplate Bethlehem as the birthplace and, particularly, that of Luke 2:1 ff mentions the forced displacement of Jesus' family to this town for census reasons. As for the date, considering the historical works of Josephus, if we must place him as contemporary of the, supposedly pitiless, Herod the Great, necessarily had to occur, paradoxically, before the beginning of the Christian era. The astronomer Kepler, who linked the so-called star of Bethlehem with a visible astral conjunction in first-century Palestine, places this event in year 7 BC. The date of December 25 is also widely questioned, taking more force, among others, some most close to the spring.

   Given the above, and given the apparent confusion in the interpretation of all matters relating to this issue, I think, in my humble opinion, that it would be more appropriate and sensible to leave things as they are now. If from as high ecclesiastical level, it is suggested that we must let and forget, among other things, the traditional nativity scenes: manger, donkey, ox, shepherds, kings, etc., including  those endearing carols that, for obvious reasons, would lose their sense, and that such devotion and emotion elicited, sure it will hurt more than a feeling and will have some cost in terms of faith; probably the theological virtue less plentiful than the Catholic Church currently have. If, little by little, we are going to removing of this tradition, I fear that we will end up giving the reason to those that,from the most radical secularism, are proposing  change the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ by the "solstice of  winter" (in our Northern Hemisphere), returning again to the customs of the ancient Roman and Celtic cultures, who celebrating, on that date, the return of the sun, before the Catholic Church would have changed it by current. At least, the latter being an astronomical fact unquestionable, will not generate controversy.

Constantino Diaz Fernandez

Oviedo, January 12, 2008