I feel that we miss so much of what Luke was trying to communicate about Jesus because:
- We have insisted on harmonizing the two accounts of the birth that we have (Matthew 1 and Luke 2) in a way that strips both of them of their unique perspectives on the meaning of the birth of Christ.
- We have not struggled in constructive ways with some of the problematic elements in Luke's story like
- The description of the census (which does not fit with what we know about Roman policy and practice).
- The reasons for the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem which are not sufficiently explained.
- The historical and political situation that Luke describes at the time of the birth that is obviously very meaningful to him but that we have neglected because it is inconvenient to us.
- We have not taken into account Luke's use of Old Testament ideas and imagery in his Nativity Story.
Writing this book has made me love Luke's nativity story - a true story - all the more and I have decided that it is time to share what I have learned with a larger audience. For this reason, I am publishing my book with the title, "Caesar's Census, God's Jubilee."
It will be published as a ebook only. (Sorry to all of you know do not own a reading device but physical book publishing is a whole other matter, I'm afraid). Soon, if all goes well, it will be available at online ebook retailers everywhere (including Amazon, Kobo, iBooks etc.) When that happens, I'll certainly be announcing it here and everywhere I can!
It is a scary thing to do but I am glad to be finally sharing this book that God gave to me.
