Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil. – Hebrews 2:14

Today's Scripture Reading (June 22, 2024): Hebrews 2

I have a problem with the Christmas Carol "Away in a Manger." I know, how dare I take on a seasonal favorite, which is probably why I am struggling with this Christmas song in June rather than December. My problem is with the second verse and the phrase, "No crying he makes." (To be accountable, I rewrote and arranged the song and still left the offending expression in the song.) But I believe that the phrase opens the carol up to charges of Docetism.

Docetism was a heresy that came up in the second century after Christ. The argument that Docetism makes is that the incarnation, this thing that we celebrate every Christmas where God steps out of heaven and comes down to become like us, never really happened. Christmas is a sham. Of course, when the Christian Church discussed Docetism in the second to fourth century, Christmas wasn't celebrated, but that is a different story.

The basic tenet of Docetism is that the incarnation didn't happen; it only appeared to happen. Jesus was never born as a baby; he just seemed to be born as a baby. And, of course, being God himself, Jesus did not suffer and die on the cross; he just appeared to suffer and die on the cross. According to those who held this belief, Jesus is fully God, who only seemed to take on the image of a man.

In the fourth century, the early Church called the Council of Nicaea (325 C.E.) to discuss Docetism, and after they had considered the theology, they rejected it. Jesus Christ was very God and very man. The Word did indeed become flesh, he did not just appear to become similar to flesh.

The writer of Hebrews phrases it this way.

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

                                                                                                Hebrews 2:14-18

"No crying he makes" would seem to agree with Docetism; Jesus was not human, and the Word did not really become flesh; he only appeared to be like us. Part of the problem with incarnation is that it is messy. The barn where the Jesus was born was messy. The animals probably did not respect the baby in the manger; they were likely more than a little annoyed that these humans had invaded their space. It smelled, and I am positive that a baby cried amid all that mess. Because that is what human babies do; it is how fully human babies communicate. The Qur'an contains a story where Jesus speaks to his mother from the manger. But that, too, would not be something a fully human baby would do.

The Nicene Creed responded to Docetism with a creed. It is still a statement of our belief.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, light from light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father [and the Son],
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Hebrews 3