“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.”
I leaned over to my daughter during the worship service and whispered, “So the announcement of God’s coming is made to a bunch of dirty scumbags. And to a group of foreigners.”
I love the upside-down nature of God’s kingdom! It confounds those with supposed wisdom, whether we’re talking religious wisdom or anti-religious wisdom. It reminds me that God’s ways are so unlike our own, and that to follow Jesus, I have to “free my mind.”
For all my friends — Christian, atheist, and otherwise — I give you a blessing:
May the coming year bring you freeing of your minds.
May you experience wholeness and purpose.
May your relationships be healed.
May you begin to know the depth of Papa’s love for you.
God has moved into the neighborhood! Merry Christmas!
Comic by David Hayward, a.k.a. nakedpastor
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Amazing how we boil down the amazing, life altering significance of Christ coming in humble, gritty human form and make it all so cute and pretty with bows, ribbons and paper. God has moved into the neighbourhood indeed!
Peace,
Peter, it’s funny how even creche scenes are stylized. Very safe, very clean. It’s why I prefer the original version of the cartoon above over its G-rated version.
Thankyou John for your New Years Wish. To the point as ever your blog! Love it and am sharing it!
Thanks, Nicky!
Oh and meant to add, yes Mary’s message in Luke-about toppling the crowns off of those in throwns etc, pretty revolutionary stuff, no wonder it gets suppressed and twisted the message!
Our Advent series focused on how Christ is “untameable.” The image was Christ on one side, and Caesar on the other. One of the messages focused specifically on Mary’s song. Her social ranking put her at the bottom of the ladder. Speaking against those in power was a bold & risky move!