Christmas

[jawnbc]

It being holiday time, means I get to hear my favourite song of all time - Minuit chrétien/O Holy Night - again and again..sometimes even very good versions. And I'm reminded of the Christian narrative that I find most beautiful: the birth of Christ. I've always found the contrast between the peaceful account of Jesus's birth and his violent death so striking.

I guess I just wished the story had a different ending...

Comments

[madknits.livejournal.com]

But Jesus' birth was not peaceful.

"Herod, the King
In his raging,
Charged he hath this day.
His men of might,
In his own sight,
All children young to slay."
(Coventry Carol)

And Jesus and his parents had to flee to Egypt in order to escape the slaughter of the innocents.

[jawnbc]

Birth was. Shortly thereafter not. I stop at the Magii.

Heretically yours,

[madknits.livejournal.com]

I guess I just wished the story had a different ending...

Ah, but if it had a different ending, there would be no redemption and you would be consigned to hell as a sinner who would forever be unredeemed and unredeemable. Even virtuous pagans are consigned to hell.

In all stories of salvific figures, there is a tradeoff. Usually the life of the salvific figure, who somehow comes back to life again.

[mister-don.livejournal.com]

With a Protestant background, and low church at thta, we didn't get Adam's masterpiece as part of our worship. That treat was reserved for adulthood with its broader knowledge of other traditions. I lean towards the Jessye Norman recording myself.

[devcubber.livejournal.com]

Have you ever read the book: Lamb - the Gospel according to Bif, Christ's childhoo pal by Christopher Moore? Lovely, lovely silly book that makes you feel good all over!

[zurcherart.livejournal.com]

I do appreciate, understand and subscribe to the sentiment.

But from now on THIS is my favorite holiday narrative: Who Stole Jesus' Foreskin (http://www.slate.com/id/2155745/fr/rss/)