more fire

Jesus, conceived by a miracle of the Holy Spirit, was delivered from a very human womb into a hostile world. Mary’s painful birth, a result of Eve’s punishment for her part in the Fall, initiated Christ into the suffering of humankind. Although Jesus entered the world in a very real and very common way, he remained sinless throughout his earthly existence.

During Jesus’ life on earth, he faced temptation and overcame it. He hungered, wept, even defecated and, because he was fully man, he surely desired the company of a woman. The beauty of Christ is that he came into the world not to succumb to sin and ignorance, but to be the Overcomer so that all might live a more abundant life and, ultimately, have victory in him.

During this Christmastide, it is important to remember the reality of Christ. He came from light into darkness, humbled himself even unto death, and was so good that he asked forgiveness for those who persecuted him. Praise Jesus Christ, who takes away the sin of the world, and follow him in action and not just word.

It’s been a busy Advent season and I hope to soon share with you about my trip to the homeless in New Orleans. Until then, I’d like to share some culture from Ethiopia with you.

There’s an interesting article on the Smithsonian website about the ark of the covenant in Ethiopia. Check it out here. On a similar note, last night I watched an amazing video about Ethiopian Jews. The documentary, called Falasha: Exile of the Black Jews, is from 1983, but it’s very interesting and still relevant.

Since I’m on an Ethiopian kick, let me include a link to the Christmas speech of former Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie on this post. You can check it out on my new site at Conquering Lion. This new site is part of a ministry to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the Rastafarian community.

Check out the St. Nicholas Center to learn the history of St. Nicholas and the origin of Santa Claus. It’s a very interesting site with many resources.

(This was originally posted exactly one year ago to date. You can read it here. Since we are in the midst of the Christmas season, it seemed apt to repost it. Also, check out Kevin’s post about the history of the Christmas tree over at Massive Truth.)

Let me first say that there is a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in my living room. (This year we actually don’t have a tree, but we do hope to at least put up a wreath.) It’s wonderfully festive. And now I’m about to drink a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy some holiday music (Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir’s “Light of the World“).

I don’t want to ba-hum-bug anyone’s Christmas spirit, but having read Jeremiah 10:3-4 the sparkle of my Christmas tree’s glitter has somewhat faded.

“For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.”

What do you think? Could the prophet be talking about the Christmas tree?

(L to R: Vonetta, Jason, Shane Claiborne, Shakir, Greg, Alissa and Melinda)

On Sunday night six of the fourteen members of the Radical Living Christian Community attended a Faith & Justice discussion at All Angels Episcopal Church on the Upper West Side to hear keynote speaker Shane Claiborne discuss antipoverty, active pacifism, and intentional living. Claiborne is author of Irresistible Revolution and a founder of The Simple Way.

The previous Sunday Alissa, Vonetta and I heard Rob Bell speak at Nokia Theatre in Times Square. It’s been a rather edifying last few Sundays.