CHRISTMAS 1: they found the baby, lying in a manger
To 21st century ears, the story of a baby in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, sounds exotic and special. It summons up the notion that Jesus was unusual - extraordinary. Normal babies have cots and clothes, but Jesus had swaddling clothes and hay. Ergo, he is not like us, but something special and different.
But the point the gospel writers were making was precisely the opposite. The baby was wrapped in swaddling clothes because that was common, everyday practice for ordinary people...
for more, see my book Beginnings and Endings
I believe we had a Moses basket :) Merry Christmas and God bless you (with lots of added hugs!)
Posted by: Serena | 26/12/2004 at 23:59
Maggi love, that is just exactly what I told my lot on Christmas morning at the Family service. Then I told them the legend of the glow worm and sent them out to shine, having been touched by God. I don't think anyone had ever told them a story in church before...the effect was really rather startling :-)
Posted by: Kathryn | 27/12/2004 at 17:52
the legend of the glow worm? do tell...
Posted by: maggi | 27/12/2004 at 17:54
Maybe this?
http://www.christmasarchives.com/legends.html
I hadn't heard of it either. Amazing what people will dream up :)
Posted by: dave paisley | 28/12/2004 at 02:01