Christmas - an event for everyone!

I was taken by a line in the message translation of the bible - 'an event for everyone'. Not part of the scripture though, it was a title for the response of the shepherds to the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:8 -20). It is obviously Eugene Peterson's - the author of 'the message' - interpretation of the Christmas story. The right one too, I think.

It is easy in christian circles to criticise all the 'secular' carol services going on in our communities. Not to mention, the santas, trees, elves and the Frank & Dino Christmas c.d's in the shopping malls. 'Put Christ back into Christmas' is a slogan we often use. But just maybe people are really looking for the Christ of Christmas but don't find him too readily in our christian communities. So the 'consumerist' one will have to do. But lets face it, don't we in the churches do exactly the same thing as we hope people will buy our product this year rather than the other church's across the road: and, yes, clergy will look at attendance figures to see whether sales are up or down this year.

As I look at people's faces as they sing carols at these 'secular' events - which I am now fond of doing - I see written on them joy, hope, peace, innocence and a longing for something mystical mixed in with the 'etchings' of life (pain, disappointment, suffering, loneliness, depression...) Christmas is for everyone because Jesus Christ is for everyone. This Christmas I'm dropping the slogans and seeking to meet people at the point of their searching. Maybe, on the other hand, the real slogan should be put Christ back into the christian churches!

Chris

Prepare the way of the Lord - Christmas

At connecT we are spending two weeks with John the Baptist. We are pondering over Mark 1: 1 -8 and what this prophetic 'crazy dude' might have to say to us. Last Sunday we gave some thought to 'preparing the way of the Lord' this christmas and how we might do that as a community. Some thoughts that came up - prayer & christmas cards given out to our communities, singing carols in aged care facilities & hospitals, a lavish connecT christmas party with nativity and being a christian presence at the office christmas party, especially when we have a had few drinks and the gossip starts!

It was good to see the connecT group thinking of ways to be with our wider community this christmas. How do we prepare ourselves and others to experience Jesus this christmas? What do you think?

God with us - Immanuel.

‘ For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace’ (Isaiah 9:18)

In advent we not only prepare for Christ's return - look busy!- but we, obviously, get ready for Christmas. Spending time with the prophets helps us to do that: these characters who reflected on God's activity in their midst and called others to catch a glimpse of their theocentric vision. God with us (Immanuel - Isa 7:14) is Isaiah's concern and he wants others to share it. Prophets pointed to God and in this sense the church follows their lead. Advent is a time for catching a glimpse of Jesus who is with us and yet, is still to come. As the Christmas trees go up it is our time to point to Jesus, the one behind it all. But more than that, it is timely to remind ourselves and others that God's reign will be accompanied by justice and mercy.

But how do we as the church engage the culture around us yet remain prophetic? How do we celebrate with others around the trees but remind them that more is at stake?

Chris

Mary - ignored, used and abused?

Another person we will be spending some time in advent with is Mary, mother of Jesus. Mary is a highly - albeit, unintentionally - divisive woman. Ignored, largely, by protestants. One mention of Mary and most protestants run a mile. An odd response to the one who the Bible calls 'blessed'(Lk. 1:42).

Mary on the other hand is loved by catholics including anglican ones. But it seems to me that much of the catholic piety is just ridiculous(e.g the perpetual virginity of Mary). Mary just can't be a woman in her own right. She needs to be a submissive and virginal one, forever! Contemporary catholic Marian piety is often just a disguise for patriarchy. Many of the anglican - catholic clergy who will seek to be associated with Rome will tell you they honour Mary and perhaps even pray to her; yet they can't accept the ministry of women. No brainer...

Yet, at the same time, many find in Mary a model of a strong woman who listens and is obedient to God's call. Mary was given the ultimate responsibility and ministry of bringing God's 'word made flesh' into the world.

So where does Mary fit? How do we honour her without the nonsense?

Chris

'Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me?' (Lk 1: 42).

He's back!

Another Advent theme we will be exploring at connecT is the second coming of Jesus. This is a tough one, isn't it? It's part of the faith and so I accept it. But how long are we supposed to wait or have I missed something?

'Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail' (Rev 1:7)

Chris

John the Baptist - crazy dude?

At connecT we are having a 2 month advent. We thought it would be good to stay a little longer with the advent themes. One character who will be stretching our thought is John the Baptist. Now what can I say, one crazy dude (cf. Matt 3: 4) I have always imagined he looked a bit like Charles Manson with out the 'dark side'. But honestly, can we handle prophets like John? How many prophets have we really met, do they sit in our churches and sing quaint hymns and take their turn on the morning tea roster? How do we make sense of John - a crazy dude with something to say?

'You brood of vipers who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?' (Matt 3: 7)

Ruth - and the moral of the story is?

It seems to me that there is a bit of a punch line to the story of Ruth in chapter 4, when we are told that Ruth gives birth to Obed, the grand-father of David. Is that the only reason Ruth is in the Bible? A bit of a prequel to the real story - David. But so much is lost isn't there to that simple masculine focus. I love the relationship between the women - Naomi, Orpah and Ruth (1:14); Orpah departed with a kiss but Ruth clung to Naomi. Naomi cares for her daughter in law like her own child and then nurses the infant Obed. The women of the neighbourhood join in giving the name to the child. A model of community, I think. A feminine gift to a masculine world.

Chris