There are so many myths- many of which are of valued importance to us. And yet there are so many things thaty we believe are simply not truth. There are even more metaphors that embody more truths than the facts that we think are so important. Remember, metaphors are “more than true“. The Christmas season fits in to all of that.
So as we celebrate this Christmas season, may we embrace the reality and not the hype!
Rowan Williams is no slacker when it comes to spiritual matters. Rowan Douglas Williams, DD, PC, FBA, is the 104th and current Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England, senior archbishop of the Church of England and the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
So, when he recently said that portions of the Christmas story “legend,” American Christian leaders shied away from attacking Rowan Williams or calling his comments offensive. In an interview with BBC Radio, Archbishop Williams debunked various details Christians have come to associate with the birth of Jesus Christ — including the number of wise men, whether they were kings, the snowy weather and the Dec. 25 date.
But, most people are aware that Jesus was not born December 25th!
Exactly when is highly debated with September being the more obvious month. Williams wnet on to say that it was “very unlikely” that there was snow on the ground, as is often shown on Christmas cards and in other portrayals of the nativity, and that we don’t even know whether Christ’s birthday is Dec. 25 as the Gospels don’t tell us what time of year it was.”
Rowan also tip-toed through the virgin birth land mine.
Williams said further, “Christmas is the time it is because it fitted very well with the winter festival. The date of Christ’s birth has actually long been the subject of debate among Biblical scholars, with many theorizing that Jesus was actually born in the fall, closer to the start of the Jewish New Year in September, when the Census was taken.
The day, the month, the year isn’t as important as is the understanding of the purpose and impact of the life of Jesus, who became the ‘Christ”. Unfortunately, we’ve made Christmas about consummerism, credit cards, and other cards. There will be football games, grandioise floats, and un-ending food that will force many into physical new year resolutions.
The Light (Jesus) came and brightened the path, the way, for all of humanity.
Are you on the path, the way, or stuck in a religious traffic jam?
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