Airbrushing the Nativity
“Never ruin a good story for the want of a bit of exaggeration”, my best friend always says. Or as old rugby players say, “The older I get, the better I was.” The same is often true about historical events. There have been questions raised in recent times about the Gallipoli campaign and others in
“Never ruin a good story for the want of a bit of exaggeration”, my best friend always says. Or as old rugby players say, “The older I get, the better I was.”
The same is often true about historical events. There have been questions raised in recent times about the Gallipoli campaign and others in the First World War, as we try to respect those who served. Sometimes respect becomes something more, as brave soldiers become heroes and heroes become saviours, and real grasp of what has happened is obscured by a kind of worship. 
What about our re-telling of the Christmas story?
Perhaps we imagine a serene, twenty-something woman surprised by an angel, with the news of her immediate pregnancy being handled with all the professionalism of a seasoned actor. Can we conceive (accidental pun) the challenges a pregnant, unmarried, teenager faced in those days, as the accusations flowed?
Have we let our minds wander to Mary’s parents, as they came to terms with what must have been almost impossible to believe? We may want to smooth this by saying it was all in God’s hands, but it is nowhere recorded how they dealt with this unexpected (unwanted?) time of their daughter’s life.
Mary’s courage and faith are apparent from the first moment. Everybody else? Joseph was fearful for Mary – and for himself. Rather than risking her and her baby’s life, he resolves to “put her away” quietly. Mary could have been stoned for adultery, so Joseph seeks a way to protect her. Another angel is needed to strengthen Joseph’s courage, but the way can’t have been easy.
We talked in our Xmas Conversations about the dangers and challenges of travelling – by donkey, cart, or foot – when you are nine months pregnant.
And then we realised 
the humanness of the story – suddenly pregnant, families caring and supporting, partner unsure and then certain, struggles with issues we can’t control and the wonder which awaits.
We lose the wonder when Mary, then Joseph, become perfect, when the whole story is smooth and simple.
The wonder is found first (and there is always more wonder to be found) that a woman and a man are chosen to be the family of God, that God breaks into the world as every one of us has.
When we smooth the story’s edges, we can airbrush some of the wonder of a God who sings yes to all creation, through human beings just like we are.
Journey well to this wonderful moment!