Originally published on Forbes.com.
With all the talk about the sheep and the wise guys and the drummer boy, its hard to believe that Christmas is a tax story, but it really is. Here is what Luke has to say about it.
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. ( And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn
So the reason that Jesus was born in Bethlehem was that his parents were tax compliant.
And Those Tax Collectors They Are Not So Bad
That might account for the kindness Jesus had for tax collectors (known as “publicans”), who, believe it or not, were even more disliked back in the day than they are now.
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?”And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.
And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Pay Your Taxes
And then there is that enigmatic advice that he gave, which is generally taken as an injunction in favor of tax compliance, although I have heard other takes on it.
Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said,Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them,Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them,Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
About Translation
I favor the King James translation, because it plays such an important role in the development of modern English and it sounds so, you know, biblical. Some of my blogging buddies like Rudy Davis and Deborah Henderson believe that King James is God’s word to the English speaking people and anything after that is not so good. It is a little uncharitable of me to reflect that the King James only view lets you be a Bible scholar without learning Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic, but there it is. At Xavier High School in 1968 after marching up country with Xenophon – an oddly appropriate tale for young lads in pseudo Army uniforms about an army unable to complete its mission that must fight its way home, especially in 1968 – Mr. Hands SJ got us into the New Testament, which was a lot harder. So I can see the attraction of a God that also spoke English.
Anyway, other translations, like the Jerusalem Bible and the NIV say that Augustus Caesar had a census going and that is why Joseph and Mary had to go to Bethlehem. That indicates they were law abiding, but does not seem to say anything specific about tax compliance. I needed a little help on that, but I had some resources.
A Delayed Vocation
One of the staff accountants from my CCR and GT days is currently in seminary to become a Catholic priest. This is not the first time I have had this experience, one of my guys from the nineties went into the ministry. And there were a couple who went the other way. At any rate, I asked him about the translation issue. Being a Catholic and all he does not have a great fondness for King James, but here is what he told me.
The difference in wording is because while they had to go to Bethlehem for the census, probably around 4 BC actually, the whole point to the census was so that a tax could be properly levied later on, around 9 AD I think. I think the KJV is a little inaccurate to say it was for the tax since that happened 10 years later.
That answered my question pretty well. Even if it was just a census, it was still about taxes down the road. He added some theology, which I probably should include.
Reflection wise, think about this, we celebrate it as the birth of Christ but if you think about it what really happened is that God himself condescended to enter into time and space as the weakest and most vulnerable among us. He came not as a great warrior king but as a shepherd to his people, born of a virgin, the son of a humble carpenter. As Catholics we celebrate the birth of Christ but it also reminds us that he promised to return.
He was really good with the tax software, so I am going to take what he has to say on other matters seriously.
About That Render Unto Caesar.
There are a lot scholars who think that if we could ask Jesus about his sayings, he would like Yogi Berra say “I really didn’t say everything I said. The Jesus Seminar which was a long term project on this issue that involved scholars voting with different colored beads puts the percentage of things he said that he didn’t say at 82%. The render unto Caesar thing which shows up in some form in Matthew, Mark and Luke (all three synopitc gospels) and Thomas (Thomas was dug up in 1945, too late for old King James to look at it), however, is rated very high among the things that he probably did say – It is number eight. At the top of the list is turning the other cheek. Just saying.
Final Christmas Thought
My sister used to visit me every Christmas and one of our traditions became Midnight Mass at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Worcester. Sadly, she is not able to travel anymore. My covivant and I might go to support our partner who sings in the choir or we may just rest after preparing to celebrate Christmas with a heavily atheist crowd tomorrow. One of the features that stuck in my mind was the prayer that would be said for our leaders. It makes me think of someone who I fear I may have been too harsh with on this platform.
My accountant turned priest to be friend told me there is not a fixed form to it, but it will probably be said in most Catholic churches not long after midnight tonight. Here is a version I found.
God of power and might, wisdom and justice, through you authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed. Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitude the President and other government leaders of these United States.May they always seek the ways of righteousness, justice and mercy. Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protection to lead our country with honesty and integrity. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Making whatever theological adjustments you might need to make, I think it is a good sentiment for both believers and nonbelievers.
Note
I realize that in my mentioning that the Gospel of Thomas being found in 1945 and thus unavailable for King James to look at, I was implying that King James actually did the translation that is named for him. You and I both know that is not the case and I was being ironic, but you have to consider the other readers. The other thing I might mention that I find troubling is that many people who are not believers have never cracked open a Bible. If you live in the United States or really any English speaking country (among others), familiarity with the Bible is a matter of basic cultural literacy. If you have never cracked it open, you really should at least read the Gospels, which in my Jerusalem Bible translation take up less than 150 pages.
Update 2018
I decided to not do a special Christmas post for 2018. This one may be as good as I am going to get it.
A sad note for this Christmas is that a month after this piece was posted, Sister Kathleen Reilly passed way. Father Robert Sandoz, President of Cristo Rey Newark High School which “provides a quality, Catholic, college-preparatory education to urban young people with limited economic resources and educational options”, spoke at her funeral about her support of the school’s mission. She taught science there. Father Bob wrote me that he is sure that Sister Kathleen is intervening for us, so there is that.