No Christians were there at the birth
of Jesus. (For “…disciples were
first called Christians in Antioch”
years later.) But were those who were
there believers? the shepherds, the wise
astrologers, the non-father,
the Blessed mother? Did they see
with eyes of faith, or more like we
do: wonder, ponder, doubt and stare
at the small baby stabled there…?

– Verse “No Christians were there” by Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, December 20, 2013

Editor’s Comment

Sitting at the computer in the second floor study, I watched a van pull up and empty out. Five people with pamphlets. The doorbell rang. Two men, one older, one very young, wanted to talk about the gospel. Impressed by their earnestness and their willingness to go door-to-door in the sweltering heat, I listened for a long time. I finally asked them who Jesus Christ was. “He was the Son of God.” “Okay, but who was Jesus of Nazareth.” Again they answered, “He was the Son of God.” “Let me ask a different question. What was Jesus’ religion?” “He was a Christian,” they answered. “No he wasn’t,” said I, “he was the Christ. You can’t follow yourself! He was a faithful Jew.” They were aghast at the thought. We continued to talk for 45 minutes. There were no Christians at the birth.