e-zine for December 14, 2006
Which Christmas Story Do You Read?

“You have to know your body as the home of God. This is the purpose of Christmas.” ~Rebecca Parker

Christmas Is Born In Us
By Ian Lawton

The Christmas story has stood the test of time. But which story?

Is it the romantic myth of a virgin conception by the Holy Spirit, or the stark reality of a young couple trying to make the best of a confusing situation?

Is it the sugar-coated story of a silent, meek and mild baby, or the reality of a blood red baby and a scared young girl, both weeping?

Is it the fanciful story of angels with golden wings and ruby cheeks floating in from outer space with divine messages, or the reality of a frightened couple trying to follow their instincts and discern some meaning in their struggle?

Is it the quaint tale of a backwater inn surrounded by cute and cuddly animals, or the socio-political reality of a young couple running for their lives?

Most of us don’t live sugar-coated lives. The sickly sweet fairytale Christmas story that is often presented offers little to the stark reality of our lives; teenage pregnancies, unwanted pregnancies, ethnic genocide, religious rivalry, family betrayals, gender inequality and personal anguish.

On the other hand, the historical context which paints a more accurate backdrop to the beginnings of a social revolutionary’s life might just say something profound to the stuff of life. It just might make a difference.

The life of Jesus began in oppression, proceeded in frailty and ended in execution. From the time Mary became pregnant, to the decisions of a family living in poverty, to the life of a struggling revolutionary, this was a story of survival against the odds.

The Christmas Mary, instead of being the epitome of purity and otherworldly submission, should be revered as symbol of persistent activism in the face of oppression. The Christmas Mary is honoured every time an abused wife, a displaced Sudanese woman or a frightened teenager, is empowered to find liberation.

The Christmas Jesus, instead of being the bearer of salvation from the cares of this world, should be revered as the social radical who sought to reverse the injustices of this world. The Christmas Jesus is honoured every time we stand in solidarity with those who have had their voice taken away.

We need be in no doubt; the sugar-coated Christmas story is not just quaint and harmless. The tradition that needs an undefiled mother to deliver Jesus to the world as the Son of God, that needs angels to be of another world and body, that teaches that people are sinful and need the salvation of this Son of God, is insidious. When taken to extremes this tradition justifies racial genocide on the basis that Jewish deaths are less significant than other human deaths. When taken to extremes, it is the same ideology which says to people, “Don’t trust your instincts, don’t seek professional help; rather, just pray and look to another world for supernatural intervention.”

Christmas calls us to revere our bodies as the dwelling place of God. The Christmas star calls us to follow our bliss with confidence. The birth of the Christ child speaks to us of nurturing the vulnerable child within. The murderous Herod challenges our unresolved anger and bitterness. The angels question our ability to still be surprised by the kindness of strangers, and to be the face of Christ for others.

With Christmas eyes, we see our own poverty, born out of tragedy and sorrow, out of which our true power can emerge. With Christmas eyes and out of the humility of our own poverty, we see others with possibility and humanity.

The Christmas call is to be the change we want to see in the world.

Oscar Romero, the courageous Salvadoran Catholic Archbishop, described Christmas like this:

No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud, those who, because they have everything, look down on others, those who have no need even of God - for them there will be no Christmas. Only the poor, the hungry, those who need someone to come on their behalf, will have that someone. That someone is God, Emmanuel, God-with-us. Without poverty of spirit there can be no abundance of God.

That was the life Jesus was born into. It's also the tradition we inherit, a deeply felt passion to stand in solidarity with all people. Poverty is not just an economic reality. The poverty we all endure is a poverty of spirit, the resistance of abundance.

As we hear the ever popular Christmas story one more time this year, may we name the stark reality of our own lives and our world. May we hear in the raw, the real, the radical, the earthy struggles of the family of Jesus, echoes of life as we know it to be. May we be surprised to find ourselves angels as we share in moments of activism and compassion. May we be the birth of revolution which dwells in all possibility.

Did You Miss Bishop Spong's trip to Western Michigan?

If you are looking for a new way to experience Christmas you will not want this incredible DVD set as Bishop Spong uncovers the magic beneath the myths of the traditional Christmas story.

Christmas can be a time of great confusion for many Christians. Just as children inevitably question if Santa Claus could really travel around the whole world in one night on a sleigh led by flying reindeer; similarly our adult intellect questions how a baby could be born from a virgin, if God guides us using stars, and whether heavenly angels bring messages to us.

In "The Magic of Myth" Bishop Spong leads us to see how just as children move beyond the literal story of Santa Claus to a view of Santa as a personification of the spirit of joy and giving; similarly in looking beyond the literal Christmas story we are opened to new and expanding views of Jesus.

This incredible 4-disc DVD set includes:

Lecture 1: "Separating Myth from Reality" + Q & A
Lecture 2: "A Progressive Perspective on Christmas" + Q & A
Sunday Sermon: "The Four Shady Ladies" + Q & A
PLUS: An exclusive casual conversation with Bishop Spong

Order your "Magic of Myth" DVD package for just $40!

Download this Sunday's Progressive Advent Liturgy

Check out the bulletin for our third Advent gathering. This Sunday's gathering will include the second part in Ian's sermon series on Revelation, music from the Sanctuary Choir, and our incredibly cute C3/CCC Children's Concert. This week we also light the third Advent candle, the candle of wisdom.

The lighting of the candles of Vision, Justice, and Wisdom.

One: Today we light the third Advent candle, the Wisdom candle. This candle stands for the wisdom of water, the deep knowledge that comes not from books or classrooms alone, but from contemplation of our inner currents and awareness of our immersion in the divine. Today we rededicate ourselves to deepening our wisdom and passing on what we have learned to others.

All: We light this candle to honor the spirit of wisdom in us all.

Whether or not you will be with us in attendance on Sunday, may you feel the spirit of wisdom deep within you all week.

Download this Sunday's Bulletin

Advent and Christmas Eve Gatherings at C3/CCC

Wednesday, December 20
A mid-week Advent Gathering and potluck will take place in the parlour. The potluck begins at 6:00 p.m. Please sign up for the potluck in the narthex or by calling the church office. The Advent service begins at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 24
Please note:
There will ONLY be one morning gathering this morning at 9:30 a.m.

This Christmas Eve morning, Ian Lawton will wrap up his Advent series on Revelation. This wonderful Advent gathering will also featuring the Sanctuary Choir and some wonderful Christmas Carols.

Christmas Eve family gathering -- 7:00 p.m.
Join our family-friendly service featuring the drama “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.” This service will be a fun, family celebration with lively music, and lots of participation. This service will be a great experience for families to look beyond all the commercial trappings of Christmas to the birth of hope in every person. Invite your friends and family for a wonderful spirited family gathering.

Christmas Eve service of carols -- 9:00 p.m.
Join us for a nostalgic Christmas Eve gathering featuring inspirational music from our Sanctuary choir, classic Christmas carols, Celebration of the Eucharist, and traditional and contemporary Christmas readings. This gathering will bring the warmth and comfort of Christmas while inspiring you to experience joy and possibility in whole new ways.

The Alternative Christmas Market was a Huge Success!

On December 10 the Alternative Christmas Market, complete with live birds, belly dancers, and fabulous food, was not only a wonderful awareness builder for particpants and families, but also raised over $6,000 which will be translated into almost $20,000 for people and projects around the world.

If you missed the Alternative Market at C3/CCC check our more information below, and visit the AGI website to purchase gifts or learn how you can host a market of your own!

The Alternative Gifts Market at C3/CCC is an annual event run in conjunction with Alternative Gifts International (AGI). AGI is a nonprofit, interfaith agency. AGI provides education for people of all ages about global needs and raises funds each year in its Alternative Gift Markets and from individual donors to respond to those needs. Designated grants then are sent to the established international projects of several reputable nonprofit agencies for relief and development.

Alternative Gifts Markets provide an appropriate non-profit response to consumerism, which can become very excessive at Christmas time. Gifts such as providing therapeutic feeding for Indonesian children or purchasing a solar-powered computer for a rural school in Honduras, can be made in honor of family and friends at this festive and celebratory market setting.

The market is designed for people of all ages and can be a perfect opportunity for parents to bring a global consciousness to their family's traditions. Feel good this Christmas as your spending goes to making the world and better place while getting your Christmas shopping done early without having to fight the crowds at the malls!

Alternative Gifts International website

You Can Help Sustain the Evolution of Progressive Christianity

Christ Community Church is an independent church supported solely by members and friends of the community.

C3/CCC is a unique community offering a message of progressive Christianity to those who seek an alternative to church as usual.

Your donation will help this evolving community continue to be an active voice for progressive Christianity in our world today.

It is very simple to donate to C3/Christ Community Church, through the Network For Good.

The Network For Good is a secure and safe online donations collection center for non-profit organizations. Please consider giving today!

Thank you, we couldn't do this work without you!

Donate to Christ Community Church now

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