John and Jesus
Joyce Voysey

In the marvellous account of the birth of John, his naming, and the wonder of the people far and wide at this historic event, I found a little something of interest.  A very little something in light of the wonderful story being told, but there we have it – my curiosity about minutiae.

Regarding the writing tablet Zacharias used to write the name of his special son, JOHN: it seems that writing tablets were made of wood which was covered with wax. (Bees-wax?)  The picture of these reminds me of eBooks of to-day.  There could be a series of tablets which could be attached to each other to form volumes.  The writing implement was a pointed stylus.

I wonder, did Jesus write on tablets?  We are told he worked as a carpenter.  Did he consult plans drawn on tablets?

 

Anyway, to move on to Jesus.  Chapter 2 (aren’t I really moving on?) has people scurrying all over the country to get to their home town so that they can be taxed in a sort of census.  “Scurrying” is probably not quite accurate for the method of travel in those days.  One would expect that Mary would have had a very uncomfortable time even if she had ridden on an ass, but maybe this was not so.  After all this was no ordinary pregnancy; this was the Christ-child. 

 

One is reminded of Science and Health’s handling of the process of birth on page 463; Isaiah’s wonderful promises: “I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you” (46:4), and “Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child” (66:7); and Mary Baker Eddy’s handling of the birth of a child to one of her students, Miranda Rice.  This is recorded in Mary Baker Eddy Christian Healer Amplified Edition – pp 304-304.  This account appears to have been recorded first in the third edition of Science and Health – pp, 134-135.

 

Interestingly, on a personal note, one of the things that had me thinking before I was introduced to the Science of Christianity was that native women never had the ministrations of medical people when they gave birth.  My thinking didn’t go much deeper than that at the time, but it was a little footstep towards the Science of Life.

 

About the shepherds attending the child Jesus, I have a note in my old Bible that tells me that the flocks of sheep the shepherds were caring for were special ones destined for temple sacrifice; the shepherds were of a special class who could go into the temple.  Angels again providing a prophetic message to the shepherds, which good news they “made known abroad.”

 

Did Luke get it direct from a personal interview with Mary that she thought on these things and pondered them in her heart?  Was she his source for the whole story?  Simeon’s prophecy was not classed as a visit from an angel, but as revelation by the Holy Ghost.  He saw that the child Jesus was come “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.”  Surely this was confirmation for Mary and Joseph; they “marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.”

 

Anna the aged prophetess also spread the good news. 

 

Were Mary and Joseph in awe at the responsibility for this special child having been placed upon them?  Were they feeling burdened?    They certainly do not seem to have understood all his sayings even as a twelve year old.  But Mary pondered them in her heart.