On the first day, we say a happy birthday to N. T. Wright, the first bearded bishop and theologian named Nicholas to be celebrated in this season, and surely not the last. Since Anglicans are all about the via media, let's start this off with a lovely answer from Dan which quotes Wright, compares Eastern and Western traditions, and leads us into the Orthodox understanding of the work of Christ and the message of the Gospel. Dan's answer to What happens with a soul after one's death according to Eastern Orthodox doctrine? receives the first bounty of the season. (100 points)
The second of December, 1697, was the date of the consecration of the rebuilt St Paul's Cathedral in London. Since the Church is the Body of Christ, resurrected and hallowed, it is apt that the cathedral's inaugural sermon was on the psalm text I was glad when they said unto me: let us go into the house of the Lord. The apostle Paul's use of body imagery points to our unity in faith and the reality of the Incarnation; and in an answer which is evangelical in every sense of the word, rhetorician gives a perfectly Pauline account of what it means to be 'in' Christ. (100 points)
On the third day comes the feast of St Francis Xavier, a real Catholic superhero. He co-founded of the Society of Jesus, and travelled all over the world in service of Jesus, the High Priest; as a preacher, pastor, and educator, he is emulated by ordained and lay people to this day. On this site, we have Charles Alsobrook, whose contributions display a rigour and clarity that any order - the Jesuits or his own - can admire. Out of the many choices available, his answer to How has the Catholic Church interpreted the tearing of the temple veil? seems a good match for the day, explaining priests as sacerdotes ministeriales dedicated to Jesus. (300 points)
Though the majority of Christians celebrate Christmas, some actually do not, thus, the fourth day is given unto God as any other. But we still appreciate the work one of our newest users, Jeremy, is doing for the site. Jeremy represents Jehovah's Witnesses, a group we all hear a lot about, but usually not from them. The Witnesses have a unique outlook on life that affects every aspect of it. Even down to how fast they build their temples. Jeremy showed exemplary academic prose and answered one of the curiosities of the Jehovah's Witnesses thoroughly and accurately. Though you do not celebrate Christmas, I do know that giving is always Christian. We are happy to have you here and hope that you continue to participate so that we can learn from you, and you from us. (100 points)
The Gospel reading in the Catholic Lectionary for the fifth day concerns the parable of the man who built his house on sand. Jayarathina Madharasan used the existence of this parable in Jesus' teaching to show that no, in fact Our Lord did not spend his hidden life in India (Unlike the hidden life of President Obama, who never has recourse to such parables in his teaching). The same parable is also the subject of this year's VeggieTales release the little house that stood an excellent Christmas purchase for the little ones if I do say so myself. It's a lesson in making good choices and disaster preparedness! (100 Points)
Today is the feast of St. Nicholas of Myra and in honor of the sixth day we consider the begetting of the New Adam and his genealogy. Caleb answered Why is Jesus' genealogy traced through Joseph back when the site was in its infancy. Like St. Nicholas, Caleb hails from Turkey, I was going to call him a Turkish delight, but I don't know that he is Turkish, just chillin' there. And also like St. Nicholas he often visits in the night, leaving us with goodness and moderation. (100 Points)
The seventh day of December is the Eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The eve of the the new Eve as it were. It's a good night to think about the old Eve and Waeshael (whom you should all go an serial upvote each of his posts in the hopes that he comes back to the site) gives an excellent account of what became of the Tree of Life given a suitably metaphorical understanding of Genesis. He also had a comment somewhere on a question concerning another tree, the fig tree which Jesus saw Nathanael standing under. He said that what Jesus meant was that He saw Nathanael's parent conceiving him under the fig tree. That, is the most astounding thing I've read on the site to date (and I can't find it any more, can you?) (100 points)
The eighth day is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. And, in honor of Our Lady's singular grace, I've asked for a 500 pt bounty on the question "Why Did God Choose Mary". Possibly Affable Geek will deign to undelete his very correct answer and expound on it. "Fitting" was the best Pope IX could come up with when he first pronounced the Dogma.
And indeed it was wholly fitting that so wonderful a mother should be ever resplendent with the glory of most sublime holiness and so completely free from all taint of original sin that she would triumph utterly over the ancient serpent.
Ineffabilis Deus - Pope Pius IX
(500 points)
The ninth day is the day the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is actually supposed to be observed, so why not extend the Marian theme one more day and consider whether it's better to be happy or blessed. Mike Tever had a good answer concerning the etymologies of the words. Happy or blessed, Mary must have been getting pretty nervous about now a couple thousand years ago. (100 points)
I've no idea what happened on the tenth day but I do want to reward an answer to my What happened to the tribe of Dan in Revelation? question. This is something that had bothered me - was there a typo / mistake in The Revelation? Bob Black posted this excellent reply about Dan and Ephraim's idol worship. (100 points)
For the eleventh day I want to reward an answer to another one of my questions, this time an answer by James T who has initiated this excellent advent bounty idea. The question is Has any prominent theologian ever explained why Jesus let a thief be in charge of the money?. James T's answer is well researched and well written and explains Jesus' wonderful example of even reaching out to Judas, who would ultimately betray Him. (100 points)
On the twelfth day, I'd like to reward Neil Meyer's answer to Take away the gospels, and how do we know that Jesus did what he was recorded to have done in terms of miracles?. Early on, while we were still figuring out how to combat low quality content, he provided a measured, high quality answer to a question that was quite unpopular. Providing good, constructive answers to potentially non-constructive questions, in a respectful, professional manner should be rewarded, so my first Christmas gift of 100 points goes to Neil. (100 points)
On day thirteen, I'd like to extend my thanks to Caleb for addressing some nagging doubts I had. For How do we know Paul wasn't a false Apostle?, he provided an answer that, while not particularly well-sourced, it was dead on. His answer contained enough claims to send me back to Scripture looking for supporting verses, which resulted in a surer faith for me than if he'd provided the verses for me. As answers go, the value wasn't in being well-sourced and documented, but in answering in such a way as to give me the push in the right direction. Such answers are often the most helpful ones, because they encourage us to learn on our own. It also armed me for various similar questions that have been asked since. Thank you, Caleb, and Merry Christmas. (100 points)
On the fourteenth day, I'm giving 300 points to fredsbend's answer to What were the Nephilim, and what role did they play in the Bible beyond just being mentioned? as one of the most thorough answers I've ever seen. 'nuff said.
Rejoice in the Lord alway! Paul and Purcell teach us about the joy of sharing the Gospel on this fifteenth day, Gaudete Sunday. The Revised Common Lectionary gives us Isaiah 35:10, "the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away." H3br3wHamm3r81 explains Why did early Christians in Acts still go to the Jewish temple every day? and it is with great joy that I reward a bounty. (300 points)
Double bounty day! - (1) I wanted to find a post related to the prophet for whom today's feast day is named (Haggai), this answer to a question related to the Bride of Christ make an excellent reference to Haggai and his wife as a picture of our marriage to Christ. (300 points) (2) On the sixteenth day I like to remember what the Holy Father said "Our life must be centred on what is essential, on Jesus Christ. Everything else is secondary," and with great joy I reward a bounty to the David Stratton's answer to What exactly does it mean that Jesus Christ is the son of God?, which answers such a fundamental question. (100 points)
On the seventeenth day, since we are in the novena days, I want to reward the answer to What is the Catholic concept of grace?, which explains the concept of grace (100 points)
The Psalm reading for the eighteenth day comes from Psalm 72:
O God, endow the king with Your judgments,
the king’s son with Your righteousness;
that he may judge Your people rightly,
Your lowly ones, justly.—Psalm 72:1b-2 (NJPS)
During Advent, we look forward to the second coming of our King who will judge His people rightly. I'm awarding a bounty to David Stratton for reminding us that we must get right with other people before we can hope to be right with God. (100 points)
The Psalm reading for the nineteenth day comes from Psalm 71:
Be a sheltering rock for me to which I may always repair;
decree my deliverance,
for You are my rock and my fortress.—Psalm 73:3 (NJPS)
Therefore, I award today's bounty to Thomas Shields for reminding us that Christ is our Rock who was struck to be a blessing to us. Let us sing a hymn of praise to our God for sheltering us. (100 points)
The Psalm reading for the twentieth day comes from Psalm 24:
O gates, lift up your heads!
Lift them up, you everlasting doors,
so the King of glory may come in!—Psalm 24:8(NJPS)
The King who first came as an infant will fling open the doors of heaven and unite His Holy Church. I award today's bounty to Jas 3.1 for reminding us that division in the church plays a redemptive part in God's plan. (100 points)
Today's lectionary comes from Zechariah, and while it isn't the same Zachariah as Eric talks about, this is still an important part of the Christmas story. In giving this wonderful answer into the difference between Zachariah and Mary, Eric shows what good theology does - it looks to the source material and seeks to ascertain the motivations behind them. (100 points)
Paul didn't write much in a biographical way about Jesus. The whole Christmas story comes from the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. We love to focus on the infant son of Mary, but that part of the story must have been the most scandalous bit originally. Instead the early Church focused on how the life and death of Jesus fulfilled the ancient prophecies. Before the New Testament was written, God's plan was already evident in Scripture.
I'm awarding a bounty to Affable Geek for his answer to What are the 'Scriptures' mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15? (100 points)
To be awarded
Merry Christmas everyone! David reminds us of God's incalcuable love in deigning to dwell with us here. A smelly diaper for the King of Kings. That's our God.
To be awarded
