- not primarily biographical but are theological statements about the human beginnings of Jesus - found only in Matthew and Luke - full of references to the Old Testament in order to establish that Jesus is the fulfilment of the expectations of Israel - exquisite portrayal of Gods shaping of history begun in Israel and completed in Christ and the Church INFANCY NARRATIVES Little is known about the infancy of Jesus. It was not of primordial interest to the early Christians. It is important to know the evangelists: 1. were not eye-witnesses of Christs birth 2. their accounts were written after the resurrection 3. the stories were written in the light of their faith in the risen and glorified Christ The infancy narratives are attempts to describe Jesus Christ through an imaginative story regarding his origins (Midrash) Thus, the stories of Christs birth were not written to tell us the exact chronology of events, or the actual events that took place. Rather, the authors wrote the infancy narratives to tell us who Christ is.
MATTHEW LUKE Figure of Joseph who comes from the tribe of David Mary who is always shown as pivotal in the scenes Manifest independent sources and tradition
MATTHEW Serve as preparation for the main narrative of Jesus public ministry 4 parts: o Genealogy of Jesus o Announcement to Joseph and the birth of Jesus o Episode of the Magi, with the portent of the star and their encounter with Herod o Flight from Massacre Grounds in the Old Testament passages to demonstrate Christs continuity with Israels past and fulfilment of Gods promises
LUKE Highlighting: o the parallelism between John and Jesus o angelic pre-announcement of the birth o a hymn celebrates the event o birth happened by the hand of God gives the Roman imperial census as context for the journey to Bethlehem at the angels binding (not a star), it was the shepherds (not magi) who visited the new born child there is no flight in Egypt no massacre Peculiar scenes: o Jesus circumcision o Presentation at the temple o Adolescent Jesus finding at the temple
CRUCIAL COMMON POINTS Joseph and Mary were his known parents An angel announced Jesus birth (to Joseph, according to Matthew; to Mary, according to Luke) He was virginally conceived through the Holy Spirit Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in Judea Jesus grew up in Nazareth
Jesus Hidden Years - Brought about the sanctification of family life work ordinary life (Matthew) Temporary sojourn in Egypt Eventual settlement in Nazareth in Galilee
Consists of growing up in a family: Where he learned to love and obey his parents Where he learned to exercise a craft and trade Where he learned the Word of God The hidden life at Nazareth allows everyone to enter into fellowship with Jesus by the most ordinary events of daily life. Pope Paul VI home of Nazareth school of Gospel, home of the Carpenters Son POINTS OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE TWO ACCOUNTS Jesus parents are Mary and Joseph Mary and Jesus are engaged but not married at the time of Jesus conception Joseph is of the Davidic line Mary conceives through the Holy Spirit An angel directs that the child should be named Jesus The angel says that Jesus is to be a savior Jesus is born in Bethlehem at the time of Herod the Great Jesus is raised in Nazareth
2 Distinct Stories: 1. Matthew 2. Luke MATTHEW - Presents Jesus as the New Moses - The fulfilment of the promised Messiah - Used Old Testament of the promised Messiah KEY FEATURES OF MATTHEWS INFANCY NARRATIVE 1. Genealogy of Jesus - Matthews account begins with a genealogy to attest to this fact: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of David, the beginning of new creation 2. The Announcement to Joseph - The Angel appears to Joseph in a dream (perhaps evoking the memory of Joseph, the Dreamer) 3. Birth in a house in Bethlehem - Mary and Joseph live in Bethlehem - Child was born in a house, because he is a king - Jesus has to be born in Bethlehem (Davids city) 4. The Star - Numbers 2:17 Star person Messiah who leads to himself all those who seek Him with a pure and sincere heart 5. The Visitation of the Magi - Jesus is the Son of God = frankincense - Jesus is the Messianic King = gold - Jesus is the Suffering Servant = myrrh 6. The Massacre of Infants - How Jesus was rejected by Jewish power accepted by the Gentiles (nonJews) 7. The Flight into Egypt - Symbolic fashion how in Jesus the people achieved Exodus 8. The Return to Nazareth - The Kingdom of God is at last open
LUKES INFANCY NARRATIVES - For the Gentiles - Jesus is a man who came for all
1. The Announcement to Mary - The Annunciation - Mary lowly of Israel (arawim) - Eagerly awaited the coming of the Messiah 2. Visitation - (Mary) poor not merely beneficiaries of Good News but bearers of Good News - Marys Magnificat song of Hannah in the Old Testament Gods preferential option/love for the lowly and the poor