[Editor’s note. A friend sent me the following in an email. It isn’t particularly profound, but I must admit I was intrigued by it. --RWP]
I had a dream, Joseph. I don’t really understand it, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our son, Jesus. Yes, I think that was what it was all about. People all around the world had been preparing for it for over six weeks. They went about decorating their homes both inside and out. They shopped till they dropped! But it was also peculiar, though, because the presents weren’t for our son, but for their children and each other! They wrapped them in beautiful paper and tied them with lovely bows and then stacked them under a tree. Yes, a tree, Joseph, standing in their homes! They even decorated the tree. The branches were full of glowing lights and sparkling ornaments, and they placed a figure on top of the tree. It looked like an angel might look. Oh, it was all so beautiful. But doesn’t it seem strange for all this preparation for someone’s birthday and yet no one even mentioned his name. I had the strangest feeling, Joseph, if Jesus had gone to this celebration, he would have been intruding! How sad for our son not to be wanted at his own birthday celebration! I’m glad it was only a dream. How terrible, Joseph, if it had been real.
You know of course that I grew up in the Church of Christ, a church that says that Christmas' pagan origins makes it something that Christians should avoid. This never seemed to stand in anyone's way of celebrating it quietly at home, although not even the least recognition would be given to it at church.
ReplyDeleteThis Episcopal church I'm going to classes at is, like most Episcopal churches, goes all out to celebrate Christmas AS A CHRISTIAN HOLIDAY. I really should have grown up as an Episcopalian because I longed for that kind of ritual from my earliest memories.
Aha, and I wonder if she also dreamt that she might need to explain a little more detail about immaculate conception.
ReplyDeletePeace and kind wishes, Gary
Snowbrush, the Episcopalians have their faults, but they do Advent and Christmas really well, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteklahanie/Gary, I think you have immaculate conception (a Catholic dogma concerning the birth of Mary, that she was conceived without sin) confused with the events that led up to (or caused) the Incarnation (birth of Christ -- behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel, God with us).
In Europe the pagan Yuletide festival was stolen by Christians when cynically they grafted their Christmas legend on to our mid-winter celebrations so personally I am glad that many of us don't think about the so-called "nativity" at this time of year. We should be feasting, drinking and making merry... perhaps dancing naked round a burning Yule log wearing crowns of holly and ivy - just as our pre-Christian ancestors did.
ReplyDeleteIn today's world Mary could indeed have had a baby without sex and thus immaculate conception. Since we don't know, we should take it at her word that she was a pure girl with a pure heart.
ReplyDelete"Since we don't know, we should take it at her word that she was a pure girl with a pure heart."
ReplyDeleteGiving her the benefit of the doubt would require an acceptance of miracles. I think that the only people who could do as you advised are those who already believe in the possibility (if not the actuality) of virgin birth. I also think that, if Mary is to be given the benefit of the doubt, then others should be given the same benefit.
i anam wundering ifin they shopped till they dropped is anywhere ANYWHERE in the scriptures, the four gospels , book of mormon or doctrine in covenants????????????????????????????????????????????
ReplyDelete"i anam wundering ifin they shopped till they dropped is anywhere ANYWHERE in the scriptures, the four gospels , book of mormon or doctrine in covenants?????"
ReplyDeleteHave you checked the Apocrypha and the Gospel of Thomas?
Snow Brush - You are missing the point. These details and arguments are not important. You either believe or you don't. The scriptures are there to tell a story and it is a beautiful story about peace, gentleness and love.
ReplyDeleteMen look for reasons to create war,fear and argument but if you follow the word of God, you will see he promotes no wars or fear nor fighting.No one needs to fight in his name or for him. He doesn't need to prove to you that miracles exist.He doesn't reward you for killing in his name.In the end it will be just between your soul and him, like the story of Dorian Gray,
your soul will show him who you are.
and Babies are miracles. Every birth, regardless of how it was conceived, is a miracle.
Mary was a pregnant virgin.You want to call it a miracle?? Fine. You don't want to call it a miracle, that's fine too. The miracle is in the story and it's survival after so many years.People need to believe in good ness and the mercy and goodness we require for self preservation, does not come from man.
It comes from a force beyond our control or understanding, which has some say in what happens to man in the future.