Togo Goes Storytelling: The Nativity

As you know, I am a top-rated investigative journalist. If you didn’t know that it’s because I’m a stealthy top-rated investigative journalist. And in the business, we call the journals we keep “stories.”

Several big stories are out there right now, but I don’t want to tell you about the ineptness of Congress or about wars and people dying. Those are important stories. This time of year, my personal attention is drawn to the story of the birth of a Jewish lad named Jesus. The story is often known as the Nativity — another word for birth.

Before I go there, did you know that there are three major holidays celebrated in the month of December: Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa? Each one has their story along with many traditional twists and turns. And some disagreement even among faith members about some of the details and exactly what they mean.

I know mostly about Christmas and the birth of Jesus. I’ve heard the Nativity story many times. Momma even has a little Nativity scene with tiny carvings that were very tempting to me as a young pup. Much of what we traditionally hold as the Nativity story is built on rich traditions about this and that. However, the definitive source, the Bible, has very few facts to draw from.

The gist of the biblical story is that Joseph and Mary were engaged. Mary was visited by an angel, Gabriel, who told her that she was pregnant, and that her baby was the son of God. Even though Mary was a virgin, she was, indeed, pregnant. Thus, this story is also called “The Miraculous Birth.” If you know your biology and Hebrew prophecy, you also know that there were a whole lot of miraculous things happening here — not just the birth itself.

Joseph and Mary had to travel to Bethlehem to be counted in a Roman census and, since Joseph was a descendant of David, they had to appear in the City of David, Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, there were no rooms available. I was quite surprised, but evidently Priceline wasn’t a thing back then. I’m pretty sure that William Shatner was and I can’t really think of one without the other.

Now the story is often told that a kind innkeeper, recognizing the plight of a traveller and a very pregnant wife, allowed them to stay in a stable in the back of the inn. Actually, there’s no actual report verifying that. And Daddy, being the lawyer in the family, says that any innkeeper would be wary of the possibility of hosting a birth in an unsanitary facility like a stable. Most likely, the innkeepers simply sent them away.

But remember that Joseph’s family members are everywhere in Bethlehem. And so it is likely that Joseph took Mary to a cousin’s house, and it was there they stayed. And the baby Jesus was born. And from varying accounts we learn that angels appeared to shepherds out with their flocks and to wise men in a foreign country.

Some Christmas songs take us back to the stable. There’s an honest explanation for that. The Bible does say that the child was wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in a manger. A manger is a trough where food is spread to feed large animals — sheep, cows, and horses. So it was an easy jump to say that Jesus was born in a barn. But another word for manger is “crib.” Food was stored in cribs not only for animals, but for a family (e.g., a “corn crib”).

Giving birth in a stable is a nice twist to the story. The little baby comes into the world hearing the lowing of a cow, the bleating of a lamb, and the neighing of a horse.

The story tellers conveniently neglect that whether a stable or a cousin’s kitchen, you can bet that there was a dog there. Sometimes I’ve imagined that I was there and assisted with the birth. Non-medical help, of course. Like fetching hot water and clean towels. Wearing a vest and offering emotional support. Those kinds of help.

The bottom line is that Jesus was born and his coming changed the world. And that’s why Christians celebrate Christmas.

There are many stories in the traditions and religions that people hold. In the stories I’ve heard, most often there is a calling toward hope and peace. And there is most certainly that quiet voice of God calling us in the story of Jesus.

I’ll admit I’m not the best story teller. But sometime in this month of December and in the midst of joyous holidays, I hope that you will listen to a faith story. That you will be touched in your heart to do good for others. I trust you will experience the presence of a higher authority. And peace and hope.

And never, ever forget . . . there is always a dog in the story, somewhere.

Merry Christmas!