Today I was reflecting on the birth of the “Rebel Jesus” after listening to a song titled the same by the self described “heathen and pagan” (according to his song) Jackson Browne.

The song reminds me of how uncomfortably subversive the gospel is.  It has come to us in such a way that the heathen, pagan, tax collectors and prostitutes are often more able to take hold of the Kingdom of God (and the true meaning of Christmas) before the lofty and religious.  I am not sure why this is the case, but perhaps it is simply because they are closer to those on the bottom and can often more easily see and relate to the significance behind God coming to be “with us” in the lowly places of a manger and the cross. Read the rest of this entry »