Many years ago, I taught an English course at Gilroy High School
entitled
”
The Bible as Literature.
”
It was a very fine course, helping students learn about stories
and characters from the Bible that have become the basis for so
many European and American works of literature, music and visual
art.
Many years ago, I taught an English course at Gilroy High School entitled “The Bible as Literature.” It was a very fine course, helping students learn about stories and characters from the Bible that have become the basis for so many European and American works of literature, music and visual art.
Critic Northrup Fry once noted that the Bible was “the most important influence in the imaginative tradition of Western Literature,” and it’s always amazing to find how many students don’t have a clue to the meaning of such phrases as “the patience of Job,” “the writing on the wall,” or “a doubting Thomas.” Such allusions are lost on them as the Bible seems to be rarely taught in school or read in the home these days.
Unfortunately, the class eventually fell victim to a frenzy of curriculum reform, but I’m reminded of it now as I sit down to write this column.
One concept our textbook discussed was “myth.” It used this term in a special sense, to refer to stories that had importance quite apart from whether their events actually took place at some particular place and time. Myths are stories, often symbolic in nature, that reflect a glimpse of reality beyond historical accuracy.
Most of us are all familiar with the New Testament account of the first Christmas. But this great Christmas “myth” goes beyond these literal details right into the core of our human experience to point out timeless truths.
One of my favorite examples of the power inherent in the Christmas story comes from Leo Buscaglia, professor, author, and public television personality. Years ago he spent a Christmas in Indonesia, an experience which gave him a whole new perspective on this familiar holiday.
When he arrived at a village in Bali, he discovered that the residents were Muslims who had never heard the nativity narrative, so at their request he retold the story from St. Luke’s Gospel.
He summarized how Joseph, a poor carpenter, and his pregnant wife, Mary, journeyed from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be counted in a census ordered by the Roman Emperor. Arriving in Bethlehem, they found all the inns full and had to spend the night in a stable. In those humble circumstances was born the one Christians consider the Son of God.
When he finished the story, one of the listeners asked why Mary and Joseph were not allowed into an inn. Buscaglia replied that all the rooms were full.
“But that’s impossible,” said the villager. “There’s always more room. We would never let anyone stay in a stable.”
Becoming defensive, Buscaglia explained, “They didn’t know that Mary was to give birth to a savior.”
“What has that got to do with it? They were alone and in need. There’s always room for one more!”
Of course there are many themes inherent in the ancient Christmas story. And it is the power of “myth” that enables modern readers (Christian and non-Christian) to recognize and apply these great truths to their own lives.
A couple of video notes for the our readers:
• The worship services of Gilroy’s First Baptist Church are available for the public’s viewing each week on Charter Cable Channel 20: Saturday at 7pm, Tuesday at 10am, and Wednesday at 3pm.
• “Songs of the Season,” a concert of favorite Christmas music presented by noted the choirs and musicians at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral, will be telecast on KRON channel 4 Dec. 24 at 10pm and Dec. 25 at 8 and 11am, and 10pm.
