I'll be reading that passage from Luke at our Christmas Eve service. I'm so tempted to end it with, instead of "The Gospel of the Lord," "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Once again, you write wonderful fodder for a sermon ... this time, for the one I will preach Christmas Eve. Thank you. Some of us are not at all surprised that Anne Lamott says your writing is filled "with both spiritual insight and beautiful writing. She is a brilliant scholar and a wonderful storyteller, charming and devout, erudite and deeply human."
Diana, I made this same reference that A Charlie Brown Christmas was many people's earliest introduction to the nativity story in a radio interview yesterday, and I heard one of the interviewers giggle at its truth. I first heard the words of Luke 2 from the proclamation of Linus Van Pelt. As you so eloquently write, I have embraced it differently at different times in my life. I'm looking forward to your book.
My childhood was marked with a blue neon cross hanging above and behind the central pulpit of our Presbyterian church. I have entitled my memoir "Blue Neon Cross" because for me it symbolizes an ancient faith in the modern world. (Shameless self-promotion, I know.) I also connect with your focus on the title "Savior," because I had to go to seminary to figure out a meaning that made sense to me: salvation is to be made whole, which opened a door to many interpretations and much understanding. At six and after "Savior" only puzzled me -- How do you get from his birth and death to me and my sins? Moving the modern world of technology into the world of metaphor and symbol is the hard part.
Thank you for this. Every time I say out loud that "Jesus is my teacher," I feel that the phrase carries little weight, like oh, he's just your teacher? Not your savior? So, I am fascinated to learn/realize that "Rabbi" was used often in scripture, "savior" only twice. Of course, but I never noticed! I've always loved Linus' recitation. I love the challenge to re-imagine the word "savior," and the true meaning(s) it might hold. Again, thanks.
I'll be reading that passage from Luke at our Christmas Eve service. I'm so tempted to end it with, instead of "The Gospel of the Lord," "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown."
Once again, you write wonderful fodder for a sermon ... this time, for the one I will preach Christmas Eve. Thank you. Some of us are not at all surprised that Anne Lamott says your writing is filled "with both spiritual insight and beautiful writing. She is a brilliant scholar and a wonderful storyteller, charming and devout, erudite and deeply human."
Thanks for sharing this memory.
Diana, I made this same reference that A Charlie Brown Christmas was many people's earliest introduction to the nativity story in a radio interview yesterday, and I heard one of the interviewers giggle at its truth. I first heard the words of Luke 2 from the proclamation of Linus Van Pelt. As you so eloquently write, I have embraced it differently at different times in my life. I'm looking forward to your book.
My childhood was marked with a blue neon cross hanging above and behind the central pulpit of our Presbyterian church. I have entitled my memoir "Blue Neon Cross" because for me it symbolizes an ancient faith in the modern world. (Shameless self-promotion, I know.) I also connect with your focus on the title "Savior," because I had to go to seminary to figure out a meaning that made sense to me: salvation is to be made whole, which opened a door to many interpretations and much understanding. At six and after "Savior" only puzzled me -- How do you get from his birth and death to me and my sins? Moving the modern world of technology into the world of metaphor and symbol is the hard part.
Thank you for this. Every time I say out loud that "Jesus is my teacher," I feel that the phrase carries little weight, like oh, he's just your teacher? Not your savior? So, I am fascinated to learn/realize that "Rabbi" was used often in scripture, "savior" only twice. Of course, but I never noticed! I've always loved Linus' recitation. I love the challenge to re-imagine the word "savior," and the true meaning(s) it might hold. Again, thanks.