[Uucf-bible] Christmas around the UU world

[kmcarson at aol.com]

What's going on where you are?? blessings, Ron? Robinson

At First Unitarian in Providence, RI Rev. Nichols' sermon for this Sunday is "Filling in the Manger --?The story of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem is a perfect paradigm of our lives, which is why we treasure it."??We'll have two services on Christmas Eve that mostly consists of readings and carol singing.? The later service is my favorite because we distribute candles to everyone and lower the lights in the Meeting House as the flame is passed from person to person.? Last year, we ran out of candles at over 200, so we are stocked with about 350 this year!

Our Re-imagining Religion group led by Tom Hall, an editor and long-time supporter of the Jesus Seminar, is studying Matthew this month and looking at the birth narrative in particular.? We read an interesting article on Matthew by JS Fellow Robert J. Miller who argues that Matthew's version does not include a "virgin" birth for Jesus.? Rather, he says that the?role of the "Holy Spirit" in conception was understood more metaphorically by Matthew's audience.? Perhaps "love child" may suggest a modern interpretation, but that's not quite?in the same spirit.??A better example might be?pre-Christian?Europe where children born?after?the Beltane festival, which featured a relaxation of marital fidelity rules, were said to be "Children of Beltane" and were not stigmatized by questionable?paternity.

However He got here, I'm just thankful for the wisdom of Jesus!

Merry Christmas and Peace On Earth,

Kevin?
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