Christmas is a magical time. Happiness abounds, families are reunited, and celebrations are ubiquitous. It may well be no exaggeration to say it is the most wonderful time of the year.
Unless, of course, you are one of the infant children slaughtered by King Herod in the Gospel of Matthew. Or a young pregnant woman forced to travel some ninety miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Or a family forced to flee to Egypt to escape royal persecution.
The story of the nativity is not exactly, in its entirety, a wholesome, family-friendly tale. It contains at least one of the New Testament’s darkest moments, and in doing so may reveal something about the literary intentions of whoever came up with (or decided to recount) this Biblical episode.
I am joined today by New Testament scholar and return guest Bart Ehrman, whose latest online course, “The Dark Side of Christmas,” brings these stories into focus, just in time for the ceremonial anniversary of the events which allegedly inspired them.
I’m looking forward, as ever, to your early feedback, and thank you for your continued support of my work.
