November 29, 2009: Worse Than a Bastard – Michael Hidalgo

When we look at the Nativity Scene, it seems so perfect. Mary looks great. Joseph looks like a proud Papa. Jesus, although presumably only a few hours old, even seems to have a little smile on his pudgy baby face (he also may and may not include) a halo. It is the perfect story. Mom, Dad, and a baby – why not make this beautiful?

 

What we forget is that they were in a place for animals, and Jesus was in a place where those animals ate and probably slobbered. And the reason Joseph and Mary were alone? Because it seems that their extended family did not even want them around … they did not even want them to stay in the guest room in their own home. So they, as a new family, are relegated to animals. And this makes sense … Mary is pregnant, and no one knows who the father is. Jesus, was a mamzer, a child who was worse than a bastard … for he was represented what was a threat to God’s people.

 

This is something that followed Jesus the rest of his life (John 8). Suspicion, doubt, and even name calling directed toward him. Jesus birth was a time of joy, but also a time of pain and probably doubt. For his mother, was a woman who was to have her soul pierced as she knew her son, would continually have to endure a reputation that was simply untrue. But in this, we find something beautiful … a God who became something worse than a bastard. To help us, bastards ourselves.