Ep 56: “The Temple Roots of Christmas” with Dr. Margaret Barker

Margaret joins me once again for a lively discussion! Questions include: Christmas is centered on the Incarnation. Is incarnational theology foreign to Jewish thought, or does Temple Theology pave the way for the doctrine of the incarnation? If so, how? It is often claimed that the dating of Christmas to either December 25 in the West, or January 7 in the East, is based on consideration of pagan rituals, deities, and festivals. Is this accurate? How important is the Virgin Mary to the Christmas story? Because the NT says "little about her,” many claim she is a mere vessel to bring God into the world. How can and should we better appreciate the role of Mary in the Christmas story? Can you explain how Mary making the Son of God present in the NT is the fulfillment of the Lady making her Son present in the OT? Could we better appreciate the Christmas tree by seeing it as a symbol of Mary, adorned with divine glory (light), under whom we find the gift or present of Christ's presence?