When Politics and Christmas Collide







A careful reading of the Gospels reveals that the birth of Jesus takes place amid dark political machinations. Despite generations of Christian efforts to make the story suitable for children in cheerful Christmas pageants, Christmas has a menacing subtext of  poverty, marginalization, the threat of an honor killing, angel warnings, bold escapes from danger, a ruthless tyrant, and the actual killing of countless baby boys. 

Epiphany marks the final episode of the Christmas story: the magi’s visit to the Christ child. By the time we reach this day on the calendar, the holidays are over, kids are back in school, and with a sense of relief we’re packing up Christmas decorations and settling back into our normal routine.

Taking one last look back at events surrounding Jesus’ birth seems almost anticlimactic.

Yet to close the books for another year’s round of Christmas celebrations is to miss the point. 
Read more at https://carolyncustisjames.com/2019/01/06/when-politics-and-christmas-collide/?fbclid=IwAR1fOV3v1oUpg7N79dfx1R9HbDQwwFRgCIZLTqkgecC_aTuEGNf6bqxao3w

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