Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Welcoming the Christmas Baby

English: One of the corridors on the lower lev...
English: One of the corridors on the lower level of the cloister with statues of the God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At the Viceregal Museum in Zinacantepec, Mexico State (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
One of my small Muslim students once told me, (with great amusement), that God has no relatives.

***

The Christian God is a Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, (aka Wisdom or Sophia).

God's human relatives are Mary, the Mother of God, Joseph who would be, (and this is the only palatable relationship), God's step-father and if you happen to be Protestant then the siblings of Jesus would be God's half brothers and sisters.

And of course there were probably cousins of God.

That's quite a gang around the cosmic dinner table

and I had never seen it through someone else's eyes until that moment.

How absurd Christianity must seem to non-Christians.
Especially to the children.

 
I threw back my head and laughed until the tears came.

***

I believe there are many good paths that one can follow in this life

however,
(speaking of Christianity), 
there is one path that begins next week -
in the darkest, coldest, dead of winter.

The birth of a child.

A child who comes every year
and brings light and renewed hope to our deeply troubled world


***

and I hope that no matter what your path is,
or how strange it may seem,
that you take time this week

to welcome Him.

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9 comments:

Introverted Art said...

oh Francie what a spirited post. On my first year studying Psychology, a senior explained to me that all school of thoughts lead to the human being, that in response to the constant battle between Gestalt therapy, person centered, behaviorism, etc.
That's how I see religion, just different paths leading to one goal which is G-d or kindness if one is atheist. Just different ways to look at one thing... so I still don't grasp all the fighting *sighs*

Jane said...

So beautiful Francie :) I did not know that according to many traditions Wisdom was personified in the form of a goddess. Fascinating!

The Dancing Crone said...

Interesting, Jane. I've never thought of Sophia/Wisdom as being the Goddess though. She is part of the Trinity, which is a mystery and can't be explained. (Got out of that one, didn't I?? ha ha)

I see Mary as the way the Goddess has been preserved and protected in Christianity.

Just my opinion though.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

In pre-monotheistic days, Sophia would probably have been characterized as Jehovah's consort. And the Jews DID have pre-monotheistic days and remained prone to worshipping multiple deities well into Jehovah's era. That's why Jehovah is a jealous god who demands no other gods before him, LOL!

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

Beautiful post, Francie. I see all different types of beliefs the same way as Ana --- different ways to head toward the same destination. The word Sophia is well known to me since it means wisdom in Greek; it's a very beautiful, soft word in that language with a lot of meaning. Trouble is, not all of us attain the wisdom needed to grow as human beings and make this a peaceful world!

The Dancing Crone said...

I gather your background is Greek, Martha! Thanks for adding to my understanding of Sophia and yes I agree with your last statement. May She bring us all a little more wisdom in the coming year.

Jane said...

Hi again Francie, the 'Sophia' link I followed referred to Sophia/Wisdom as a goddess...

"Sophia is honored as a goddess of wisdom by Gnostic Christians, as well as by some Neopagan, New Age, and feminist-inspired Goddess spirituality groups."

Which I was surprised to learn, unless I'm not reading it correctly.

The Dancing Crone said...

Yes I saw that, Jane. I was surprised too because I've always thought of the Holy Spirit/Sophia as formless. I would have a hard time linking Her to the Goddess. Much easier for me to see the Virgin as the Goddess.

Pandorah's Box said...

I hope your Christmas was merry and bright Francie!! xoxox