Rev elations

Public Domain   The Flight into Egypt  File: Adam Elsheimer - Die Flucht nach Ägypten (Alte Pinakothek) 2.jpg Created: 31 December 1608 Which of the Gospel writers include an account of the birth of Jesus? When were they writing, for what audience? Mark’s Gospel is almost universally considered to be the earliest Gospel and it’s understood that both Matthew and Luke used it as a source text. But Mark has no account of the birth of Jesus, he begins with John the Baptist and Jesus’ baptism. Only Matthew and Luke have birth narratives and they are different whilst sharing some common features: Mary and Joseph are to be married and there’s a miraculous virgin birth in Bethlehem. But that’s about it. Jesus is born in a house in Matthew’s account whilst he is placed in a manger in Luke’s because there’s ‘no room at the inn’. Mary’s thoughts and feelings are not mentioned in Matthew at all, whilst from Luke we get the story of the Visitation, Annunciation and the wonderful radical

'One who is more powerful is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.’ I wonder if you are someone who has always wanted to be the headliner, the main act, the charismatic leader? All of us undoubtedly have at least some desire to be the first - the one that has got ahead, proved themselves, won the race, become successful. Our culture is great at celebrating the ones who achieve poll position: the winners of Strictly, the Apprentice, Master Chef - everything is a competition to find the best.  Yet, there are many faithful number 2s and 3s and 4s - those willing to be in the shadows but nonetheless influencing the action. Their stories are not so often told. John the Baptist is known as the forerunner, the one who prepared the Way, making the paths straight - creating an environment in which it would be easier for others to receive Jesus and his message. An itinerant p