It is important in this season of Advent to be reminded of the GOOD NEWS! And the message is subversive!
“For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
And his mercy is on those who fear Him
From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich he has sent empty away.”
Luke 1 vv.49-53 (NKJV)
It was truly heartening to read of the protest on the steps of Washington’s House office building this past week. As Jim Wallis (of Sojourners and Call To Renewal) points out , so many “Christians” are getting uptight and upset by the thought that “Merry Christmas” is in danger of being supplanted by “Happy Holidays” whilst :
“The real Christmas scandal is the budget proposed by the House of Representatives that cuts food stamps, health care, child support, and educational assistance to low-income families – while further lowering taxes for the wealthiest Americans and increasing the deficit for all of our grandchildren.”
The protest was widely reported, although some accounts emphasised that the religious protest was largely from the ‘Left’. To my way of thought, it is impossible to see any EVANGEL (Good News) coming from the ‘Right’.
It is good that Christians, occasionally, can be seen to challenge the “principalities and powers” compared to their normal role as passive recipients of the Constantinian heritage.
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“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12 v.2 (NKJV)
