a living nativity...

Last weekend,
the community that I have become a part of,
was asked to put on a live nativity for the whole city to see.

It looked something like this.....

What does Christmas look like to you?...

the best trinity explanation...

Have you read "the shack"?

Some people say this explains, far better than any other book (besides the Bible of course) the relation of the trinity.

I, on the other hand, have recently read something better--























pg. 116 of A Severe Mercy

'You seem the believe that Jesus was, at the same time, completely a man - and completely God.  In the name of common sense, how could he be?  You Christians always take refuge in mysteries.'
'Not at all,' I said.  'We aren't hiding behind a mystery in this, at least.'
'Well,' said Richard.  'Explain it in some way that makes sense.'
Julian began to say something about a Persons of God, and I could see that Richard wasn't finding it helpful.  Then I thought of the novel Davy and I had been talking about and mumured to Davy 'I've got it!'
'It's still not good,' said Richard when Julian had done.
'Look, Richard,' I said.  'This afternoon Dave and I were talking about writing a novel of Oxford with the studio in it, and us, and everybody.  Now assuming we could do it-''
'Assuming you could do it,' said Richard, 'I'd buy a copy.  Not more than five shillings, though.'
'Listen,' I said.  'We're talking about the Incarnation.  Okay, suppose I write it - it's too complicated with two authors -  and I put myself in it.  There I am, walking down, the High, wearing a Jesus tie - in the book.  And let's say I make up a lot of characters, not using real people for the fear of hurting their feelings.  But I am in it, and I, the character, say whatever I would say in various situations that occur in my plot.'
'What about the incarnation?' said Richard.
'That's what I'm telling you, stupid fellow,' I said with a grin.
'Don't you see?  I am incarnate in my book.  I am out here writing it, so I'm like God the Father.  But really it's me in the book, too, isn't it?'  So that's Jesus, the Son, right?  The me in the book speaks my words -  and yet they are speeches that I've probably never made in real life, not being in those situations.  And yet can't you see that it's really me?'
'Um,' said Richard.  'Yes, right.  I see.  Go on.'
'Well,' I said.  'All right.  I'm out here being "the Author of all things" and I'm in the book, taking part in scenes of "drammer".  Incarnate in my book.  Now, the man in the book:  he's all me, isn't he?  And he's all character, too, isn't he?  Like the doctrine:  All God and All man.  It makes sense, doesn't it?  And on more thing:  suppose the characters run away with the story - authors are always saying that that happens.  It might be necessary, whatever I had originally intended, for me to get killed - um, crucified...
Anyhow - you see?'
'You win,' said Richard.  'It does make sense that way.  I'll have to think about it.'


thoughts--?