The reading we are about to hear belongs to all the ancient traditions of Christmas.   Indeed it belongs to many other traditions as well for it speaks of a virgin birth.   For these traditions as well as early Christianity it was not uncommon to use such an image to give holy and god-like capacity to outstanding human leaders.   Their very origins came from God.

Mind you, there was something creepy about this in those times as well as now.    2000 years ago virgins were 12, 13 yr olds, and there is something spooky about God impregnating such a young woman.    For good reason many today consider such activity [holy or human] to be, not only beyond belief but, well: abhorrent.

But I do not invite you to suspend your beliefs as you listen to this reading.   Please don’t focus on did this/could this really happen…     To do so has some genuine risk of, well, throwing out the baby with the bathwater…. no less.     For, dear people this is not mysterious belief that’s being written about.    Instead it is glorious fantasy.     And I invite you to join me in embracing all dimensions of this stupendous fantasy and stupendous it truly is!

This lesson is designed to let our imaginations BLOW!     And I mean wildly so.     This fantasy is so wild that 2000 years before stem cell interventions and extra-utero conceptions there was a Divine Implant.    And this is the meaning –

• God no longer belongs beyond above the sky, but here in this life
• The hero of the story is not the baby. Nor is it a virile young man who will grow to be emperor.   But a poor 12 yr old    Wow!!     Unheard of.   Miracle indeed
• And thanks to this girl there will be liberation…. From oppression in this case the Roman occupation.

Wait, there’s more…..

This fantasy gets updated every year when people like you and me embrace it, enter into it and look for new ways for the astonishing things to begin.

• The children of Kabul will receive not bullets but food
• The children of Porirua will become experts at violin playing
• Men will become pregnant with hope, joy, love & peace
• Miracles of reconciliation will occur inside Wellington families

Yes what seems the fantasy will be birthed.

And dear people listen most of all to Mary’s response to it all, and make it your own.

Audio of selected readings and reflections

Audio of the complete service