At an intersection in time nearly 2000 years ago, four gospels were developed by the early Christian community. Among the three synoptic gospels—synoptic means "to see together"—Mark came first, around 70 A.D., followed by Luke and Matthew (c80-90 A.D.), and then John, written closer to 100 A.D. Taken together, all four of the evangelists tell us about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Mark, whose mother was a leader of the church in Jerusalem, learned most of his information first-hand from the apostle Peter. Luke, who was Paul’s physician, traveled with and listened to Paul tell his version of the story. Matthew may have been one of the original 12 disciples, though most biblical scholars believe it was another person who wrote his account. And John, the author of the fourth and final gospel, pieced together his report from other first century sources.

All these years later, we might go off in the wrong direction, as the sign in Texas described it, if we tried to gerrymander all of the gospels so that they would say exactly the same thing. The ancient biblical editors who put the New Testament together didn’t make that mistake. Instead, they let the stories stand as they were written, sometimes similar, sometimes different, which attests, I think, to their original content and veracity.

But the strange thing is, there’s no mention of Jesus’ birth in the gospel of Mark. Surely, some of those editors must have been tempted to insert into Mark’s version the angels and the star in the sky, resting over Joseph, Mary and the little baby in Bethlehem. However, they didn’t do it, which leaves us with the question "Why? Why is there no Christmas story in Mark?"

One biblical commentator, Dr. David McKenna, offers this answer: "Mark’s gospel speaks to the needs of Roman Christians who are suffering persecution and death at the hands of Nero . . . so Mark begins his story with the announcement that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and is the suffering Servant who is with them in their time of trial . . . in fact, almost one half of Mark’s gospel is dedicated to the passion of our Lord . . ." (The Communicator’s Commentary, the Gospel of Mark by Dr. David L. McKenna, Word Books, 1982, pages 19 and 27)

In other words, Mark focused his story on Jesus’ adult life and ministry, leading toward His arrest, His trial, His crucifixion and His resurrection. That’s what Mark believed those persecuted Christians needed to hear about, more than the account of Jesus’ birth.

Another commentator, William Barclay, adds this insight: "Mark uses the words ‘immediately’ and ‘straightaway’ nearly 30 times in his gospel . . . with a sense of urgency to make the story as vivid to others as it was to him" (The Daily Study Bible, the Gospel of Mark by William Barclay, pages 20-21). From Barclay’s perspective, Mark was so anxious to move toward Christ’s death and resurrection that he passed over the incarnation!

This past week, I called Dr. Will Ormand, the retired New Testament scholar from Columbia Seminary, to ask his opinion. He thought for a moment, and then replied, "Well, Mark, like his mentor Peter, who told him most of the stories, seems to be in such a hurry to get on with it. But it just might have been that the Christmas story had not circulated enough among those early Christians by 65 or 70 A.D., and Mark wasn’t as familiar with it as we would think."

With all of that said, the truth is, we don’t know for sure why there is no manger scene in the gospel of Mark. But of this we can be certain: if Mark’s intention was to speak words of healing and hope to first century Christians who were suffering from persecution, then this gospel is uniquely suited to those of us who do not feel joyful or upbeat with the approach of Christmas.

And if that is where you are today, let me suggest that you read on through the rest of Mark’s story to discover a Savior who loves you, who suffered and died for your sins and who rose from the dead to bring you abundant life on this earth and the promise of eternal life in heaven. That is the good news of Mark’s gospel, and I pray that it will minister to your heart and soul during these Advent days of November and December.

You see, in the midst of His urgency to lead us toward Calvary’s cross and Easter’s empty tomb, Mark made it clear from the outset of his story that Jesus was and is the Son of God. Even though he skipped over the angels and Joseph and Mary, and the wise men who came to visit the Child born in Bethlehem which Matthew and Luke would soon thereafter describe, Mark lifted up the one thing which was essential in order for the Christian faith to survive: Jesus was and is God’s Only Begotten Son! And through Him, said Mark, we have been offered the gifts of forgiveness and salvation.

My friends, as we begin our Advent journey, let us not be in such a hurry that we miss the one thing which matters the most—the reason for this holy season!

A Baptist pastor up in Massachusetts told about a mother who was so terribly rushed, so completely caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas that she lost sight of her three-year-old son on a shopping trip. All of a sudden, she realized that his little mittened hand was no longer clutched in hers.

Two blocks back on the street, she saw him. He was standing there with his nose pressed against the frosted plate glass shop window, looking at a manger scene. Hearing his mother’s impatient call, he turned and shouted out joyfully, "Mommy, come and see! It’s Jesus, Baby Jesus in the manger!" She shook her head, grabbed his hand, and muttered under her breath, "C’mon. We don’t have time for that today."

Christian people, let’s not make that same mistake this Advent Season! Look for the Christ Child, and you will find Him! Listen for the voice which still says This is my beloved Son! And let all of us wait with great expectation, watching for His arrival through the eyes of the Gospels . . . and He will come!

In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

ADVENT THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPELS

DR. GEORGE BRYANT WIRTH

The First Sunday in Advent

November 28, 1999