A nativity story...

We went to see the Christmas Windows and stopped that the Nativity in front of the cathedral. 

Daughter: Where's God?

Me: He's not there. Just Jesus.

Daughter: I thought he was Jesus's dad?

Me: He is, but so was Joseph. He's there.

Daughter: So Jesus had two dads?

Me: Yes, sort of. 

Pause.

Daughter: So just like in Daddy's Home 2....

Given we have just been through the Marriage Equality fiasco, and given my daughter came home the other day excited that lesbian friends of ours might get married now (I had to point out that as they're lived together for 20 years, they may not feel the need to get married, but it was important that they have the right to do so, if they wished), I was surprised that she still took the two dads as the divorced situation not the gay couple situation.

Yes, think of the children; they're not as stupid as we think.

Perhaps in our fearful persecution of others to 'protect our freedoms', we need to do the Christian thing of actually thinking of others. 

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

I listen to these so called 'Christians' spouting their hate and wonder how they justify sitting in judgement of others when the Bible is so clearly telling them that is a sin? 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 

If we are in lead up to the celebration of the birth of Christ, perhaps we need to think a little closely about our own actions. Imagine if Joseph had bailed on Mary as she was pregnant with someone else's child? Imagine if the Inn Keeper had sent them on their way because they weren't officially married? The whole birth of Christ story required us to park our judgement (as dictated in the Bible, ironically) and celebrate the people involved 2000 years ago. Why can't Christians do the same with the LBGTQI community today?

As a postscript, after I wrote this, Father Rod put up this article, and it is well worth a read. Shame on us. The church leaders campaign against marriage equality harms those who are already hurt.

Linking with #IBOT