Jeesy Creesy

Rowan Williams has got into a bit of bother about his description of the Nativity. He was interviewed on the Simon Mayo show, and here is a transcript. He was quoted by the Telegraph as saying the whole thing was a 'legend', although I don't think thats quite what he said. He did however say that there weren't three wise men (although they were bearing three gifts there is no indication of their number or gender, and indeed Williams argues they probably weren't there at all, and the idea they were is a conflation of two seperate stories). He also casts doubt on the idea it was in december, that there was snow and that there were animals around.

I have to say, I'm quite interested in who Christ was as a historical figure. And I really would like to know when he was born what he did and so on. My understaning is that he was born between 4 and 6 BC, was Jewish as were most of the people around him, and was basically a philosopher.

The thing is there's just so much nonsense spoken about it its hard to get to the real historical facts of the matter. I think very few historians would accept the validity of the Bible as a written source given the list of miracles and other irrational or unlikely events it contains. Nonetheless, Christ as a historical figure is clearly of interest and importance.

Ricky Gervais on the same programme Rowan Williams was on said that being taught about the nativity was a form of indoctrination, and compared the nativity to Father Christmas. While I agree with him to an extent about it being a form of indoctrination, I think that it is a story that has come part of our tradition.

Theres some information on the people who wrote the bible here, from the Straight Dope's website, based on the Chicago Reader column. This book looks quite interesting too.

NB the title of the post is from an Eddie Izzard sketch.