Josh Hatcher's Blog

Labels: advent conspiracy, christmas

This is an abbreviation of a much longer concept that is in my head... maybe it will be a book someday...

A friend at a local church here in town has a nativity out front every year, and for several years in a row, Baby Jesus was stolen from the manger.

The ended up driving a rod into the ground, and chaining the infant deity to the stake, so no one would take off with him.

After a little research, I've found this is a common problem... Baby Jesus is being stolen from nativities all over the country!

It really makes me think. I'm sure there's a little bit of playfullness and mischeif involved in ripping off the little Ancient of Days....

but it's actually a trend I've seen a lot.

My church uses myspace a lot to help get the word out about what's happening, and how the community can get involved.
A woman sent me a message that said something liek this...

"You keep sending me messages telling me that your church will welcome me with 'Open Arms', but I'm pretty sure I would not be welcome. You see, I'm a polytheistic pagan. I believe in and worship many gods and goddesses. I actually do worship Jesus. I love his teachings, and I try to follow them and live by them, to be honest, he's my favorite god. I worship others as well, but I do love and respect Jesus."

This woman stole Baby Jesus!

See, she wanted Jesus.... but she didn't want what comes with Him. She didn't need the manger, or Mary, or the church the nativity was parked in front of.

It makes me wonder a number of things.

Are there things that Christians do that make people want to steal Jesus?
Taking Him, without the "additives"?

Are we adding so much to the story, putting requirements on people to dress a certain way, listen to a certain kind of music, or even BELIEVE a certain way?

I think people won't even walk in the door of a church, because those that have gone before us have set such a good example of passing judgment and damnation out with their communion cups.

Sure, there are exceptions. Many Christians have done it right... but if you ask Joe Schmoe on the street what he thinks about Jesus... you'll find that they look at Jesus as someone they like... and his followers as someone he doesn't.

"Well, he didn't try MY church." you might say.

My son thinks homemade macaroni and cheese tastes gross. He only tasted it once... when he was four. Three years later, he is NOT gong to try it again.

Will he like it more if I cram it down his throat? Will he like it someday? Will he like it if it is someone else's recipe? Probably not. He won't try it until he is ready.


People aren't going to try your church, just because you say it tastes good. In fact, they might even go with you to church, and find it's just not their flavor.

To be honest, our modern concept of a "church service" is a long way off from what they did in the new testament anyway! We've added an order of service, and all these traditions. Even our modern services are steeped in tradition, whether they are our own new traditions, or modified old ones.

I think if people knew they could have JESUS... pure, simple, straight, JESUS... the promises He offers, the hope He gives, the power over sin and death, the atonement.... the connection to a community of other people that loved them.... the beautiful, simple gospel, unadorned by tradition, style, preference, and cofusing theology....

if they knew they could get that.. i think they wouldn't feel they have to steal him.

They would start getting to know Him, and us Christians, and if we play our cards right.. they would start to feel like they "belonged".... maybe they're theology isn't perfect.... maybe they still worship other gods and goddesses... but if they really feel like the belong, and they start to see the POWER of Christ to change lives, and the love and compassion of Christ through us... maybe they would actually come to "believe"



anyway.. just a few crazy thought about "stealing baby jesus"....
thoughts?

More things you don't see every day

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Things you dont see often

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Grace.Compassion

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