Thread by @DrEricLevi

If you stripped away Santa Claus and the flying reindeers, the original Christmas story is much closer to us today than you could imagine if you scratched under the surface a little. (You don’t have to even believe it but just let the story, like any story, wash over you.) 1/

It was a time of geo-political unrest. The “king” was quite an icon. Historians have written about some horrible narcissistic character that was indicative of a poor leader somehow unfit to lead that region. I may be wrong. 2/

A big population census was being undertaken and people had to travel to their home towns. There was significant migratory human movement. In that context, a young peasant couple from a Jewish community had to travel to their country town. 3/

Fully pregnant, this Jewish young mum was due to deliver. Dad had to find a place to sleep but all the hotels were full. As a dad, I can only imagine the stress of not finding an accommodation when wife is fully pregnant. 4/

Life plans were disrupted by this unexpected pregnancy. Pregnancy plans were disrupted by the government orders on travels. Travel plans were disrupted by bookings disaster. Sounds like 2020? 5/

With impending labour and a lack of hospital beds there was no other option but to find a spot, any spot to deliver.

An animal keep became the unlikely spot for this baby to be born. This sounds unbelievable but it is the current plight of millions of displaced refugees. 6/

The first thing that this baby breathed in was not the scent of the hospital sterile air. It was the smell of sheep, lamb, droppings and dirt. Ridiculous? Well, millions of babies are still born in this context today. 7/

That nativity scenes with well dressed Mary & Joseph is far from the reality of dirt, blood and dung.

The poor peasant couple, sitting in the dirt, separated from family is the story of the original Christmas. 8/

Then there were shepherds who visited. Perhaps the least educated and lowest socioeconomic cohort of the day. Then there were the so called learned people who also visited from the east (Chinese Astronomers?) 9/

Then the bright star? Oh look we do have the Christmas Star tonight: Jupiter and Saturn lining up in an event that occurs possibly every 400-800 years. It must have been quite a wonder at that time in Israel without bright city light or telescopes. 10/

From the poorest to the high intellectuals, this original story drew an audience around a poor little displaced family. 11/

Oh, there were also some baby killing at that time. Boys under 2 were killed by the ruler of the day who did not want a baby king as competition. Quite a sad reality that some leaders will hold on to power even if it means death and destruction for many. Sounds like 2020? 12/

Anyways, the reason why I recount this original Christmas story is not because I want you to believe it. Some might. Many won’t.

Stories are therapeutic in many ways. There is something eternal in the Christmas story that goes beyond the picture-perfect nativity scene. 13/

A poor family. A displaced parent. Poverty. Geopolitical instability. Killing and murder. Injustice. Social unrest. Power hungry leaders.

Disrupted plans. Uncertainty. Messed up year. Disappointments, heartaches and yet, in the midst of it all, new life and hope. 14/

There is something in the original that speaks about life in the midst of chaos.

Beyond the jingle bells. Beyond the sparkly trees. Beyond the carols.

Is a story of hope in the midst of disruption. Back then. And now.

May you find your peace, hope and joy this Christmas. End/