The Romans had their Sol invictus, the invincible sun god. The Teutons celebrated the winter solstice. Christians still remember their Jesus and the myths that surround him at Christmas. But can this memory still make a difference in the 21st century?
The Jews Jesus ben Joseph really existed. Critical historians also agree on this. What is uncertain, however, is what he said. He didn’t write anything down. People who did not know him personally have reported about his actions. The accounts of his birth read like a fairy tale. So is Jesus just a figure of fantasy after all? No! As a young man he brought a solid program into the world and lived it, with all the consequences. He was convincing, created humane conditions wherever he appeared. The myths about him emerged only after his death. With them his followers wanted to express that people at all times and in all parts of the world can be inspired by the deeds of Jesus. Myths are not just entertaining chats, however. Rather, they tell of primeval human issues, questions and longings and urge them to be dealt with in the real world.
There is an adjective that sums up one of Jesus’ central concerns. It already appears with the birth legends. What is meant is the word “curious”. The expression develops a strong force. If you are curious, you leave the traditional, long for new experiences, and initiate a development. A curious person is open and communicative.
Jesus was also interested in a special person. In the city of Jericho lived Zacchaeus, a tax collector. Because of his collaboration with the hated Romans, he was far below the favor of pious Jews. Besides, he took far too many customs duties from people. Word got around that Jesus was in town. A crowd puller. Everyone wanted to see him. Zacchaeus too. Because he was short, he climbed a sycamore fig tree. Jesus discovered him. He was curious about the tax collector, called him down from the tree and stopped by to find out why Zacchaeus is cheating. Jesus got involved with him. In an open conversation, the two discovered the cause of the customs officer’s crooked business. That had consequences. Zacchaeus distributed the crooked money among the poor. Conclusion: Jesus does not knit the usual mesh of division into good and bad. It’s not about pointing the blame. He is curious to discover why Zacchaeus is cheating. In the end, this curiosity leads to the healing of the tax collector.
Back to the myth of the birth of Jesus. According to legend, it was shepherds who were the first to be curious about the birth of an extraordinary person. The historical Jesus will later turn mainly to simple people like shepherds. Sages from the east also appeared. The myth tells that they were interested in a particular planetary constellation. As representatives of a different culture, they were just as excited to see what kind of new worldview was breaking through in Palestine with this legendary birth. King Herod also saw himself driven by curiosity. His curiosity, however, arose from a completely different motive. He aimed it directly at the destruction of a potential competitor. The mean interest of King Herod shows that being curious does not always give a positive result. The creation of humane conditions is decisive for the legitimacy of curiosity.
The question remains: why should we still be curious today? This property is currently of paramount importance. The pandemic is also overshadowing the upcoming Christmas festival. It divides society. Block thinking prevents united action against the virus. Conspiracy theorists remain stuck in their spiritual bunker. Loyalty to the government is hardening accordingly. Conversations between the blocks fall silent. Unrest is rampant. But those who do not move are miles away from being curious about the considerations of those who think differently. But this is exactly what would literally change the need. Anyone who creates space for the myth of the birth of Jesus, despite all the justified Christmas celebrations, will discover the powerful word “curious” there. This inconspicuous property could develop a dynamic that was thought to be almost impossible. Who doesn’t long for a joint pacification of the pandemic?
You may think: These are beautiful thoughts. But you have no chance. I ask: what is the alternative? Even! The well-known: division, selfishness, righteousness, hatred …
The peace that is much invoked every year at Christmas does not just fall from the sky. We would have to work it out ourselves. And not even the Christians alone are challenged.
* Josef Hochstrasser (74) was a Roman Catholic priest until his marriage. Since then he has been a reformed pastor. Hochstrasser has written several books, the most recent being «The Church Can Kill Itself – Ten Theses After 500 Years of Reformation», published by Zytglogge Verlag in 2017.