You truly live and walk with Christ. Through your words, God speaks to all of us. You are a blessing to this world. Thank you for what you do and who you are.
P.P.S. A new Budweiser commercial. A horse and an eagle. No sign of Dylan Mulvaney or the evil that represented.
You are right, EKO. The times have changed. The pendulum is swinging back. You can sense it in the air. Much faster than we thought.
All of us, all of us here anyway, knew that this day would come. We did not know when, or if we would live to see it -- but we knew. Now we should enjoy it, but always remember that as Ronald Reagan once said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free.”
I'm an Orthodox Christian. Your...story, though I hesitate to call it *just* that...disagrees with what our Church teaches in some details (e.g., Joseph is an old man chosen by the other Elders to care for and protect the Theotokos) and agrees in others (we believe that Mary gave birth in a cave used as a stable).
Regardless, this is well written and *powerful*. It brings the Nativity to life.
Appreciate you reading with an open mind. Objective isn't to replace what the Church teaches. It's to get people curious enough to meet Him in the first place.
My church sermon on the magi said the magi arrived when Jesus was about one year old, it took that long for them to come on camels from the east, your story makes much more sense that Mary and Joseph needed the gifts for their journey, so many interpretations to consider. Love all you write EKO and I share with my friends and family!
I’ve been told Jesus was almost 2 when the Magi arrived. And this was from our tour guide. As we stood by where it is believed the manger was. Cave-like. In Bethlehem.
Either way, in Bethlehem anyway, Jesus was not a newborn when the Magi arrived. Not even an infant.
Concur. On my Bethlehem tour, at the place where it is believed that Jesus was born, it is indeed cave-like. And the tour guide said Jesus was about 2 years old when the Magi arrived.
We then saw the spot where it is believed Joseph was visited by the angel in his sleep and told to leave Israel.
Thus, the “standard” nativity scene we see at Christmas time - wood manger, shepherds, the Wise Men, all gathered ‘round newborn Jesus - is incorrect. The Magi weren’t there yet.
"Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words, "in Christ." —Watchman Nee
I went to church as a child half a century ago. As a teen, I was scolded for asking questions and I grew resentful. As a young adult, I wanted nothing to do with church but the spark of faith always burned in me... kept me sane through insane times, trauma, sorrow, grief... I started going to church again recently after Charlie Kirk was murdered. A young father slain for his faith and his willingness to talk to others in an attempt to win hearts and minds, to save souls. I think I found EKO around the same time. I love you too, EKO and thanks!!
Brilliant framing. Ardnon's intel operatve perspective (tracking the star like an asset extraction mission) makes the familiar story visceral in a way sanitized versions never do. The moment when the infant's gaze holds Ardnon and he sees someting predating stars gave me chills.
EKO, I never imagined that gold, frankincense and myrrh could be practical gifts to help Mary and Joseph on their journey. God does weave everything together in the most extraordinary way. I think he weaves your imagination together, along with heart felt creativity. I hope this isn't too personal a question, but do you find yourself crying at the wonder of your story even as it comes out of your hand? That happens to me when I write. I hope you are experiencing as much joy as I am through your writing. Blessings!
The timeline here is wrong. The Magi did not arrive at Jesus’ birth. Our pilgrimage group there at the place in Bethlehem, where it is believed Mary gave birth, was told by our guide that Jesus was about 2 years old when the Magi arrived.
Such fabulous writing. I wish I could write but don't have any patience. I still go to mass every week and I imagine my own interpretations when I hear the readings. I think humans have twisted the story for all religions. We put our own interpretations into everything and the message gets twisted. I have a friend whose daughter married a muslim, and my daughter married an atheist. We had long conversations for a while about whether it was worse for our children to marry a muslim or an atheist, and then we decided it didn't make any difference and that it was all the same anyway. Then we decided that it was really the same god for all the religions, (including the atheists) and that it was humans who messed up the story. And it may seem odd, but I feel that I have a deeper appreciation for the story now that I've removed the religious aspect, and I really enjoy your interpretations EKO. Thank you
Thoughtful, insightful, courageous.
You truly live and walk with Christ. Through your words, God speaks to all of us. You are a blessing to this world. Thank you for what you do and who you are.
P.P.S. A new Budweiser commercial. A horse and an eagle. No sign of Dylan Mulvaney or the evil that represented.
You are right, EKO. The times have changed. The pendulum is swinging back. You can sense it in the air. Much faster than we thought.
All of us, all of us here anyway, knew that this day would come. We did not know when, or if we would live to see it -- but we knew. Now we should enjoy it, but always remember that as Ronald Reagan once said: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States, where men were free.”
I'm an Orthodox Christian. Your...story, though I hesitate to call it *just* that...disagrees with what our Church teaches in some details (e.g., Joseph is an old man chosen by the other Elders to care for and protect the Theotokos) and agrees in others (we believe that Mary gave birth in a cave used as a stable).
Regardless, this is well written and *powerful*. It brings the Nativity to life.
I look forward to the next episodes!
Appreciate you reading with an open mind. Objective isn't to replace what the Church teaches. It's to get people curious enough to meet Him in the first place.
Looking forward to sharing the rest with you.
I mean, you’re obviously taking dramatic liberties. And that’s okay!
The fear Joseph feels is palpable when the magi arrive, etc.
My church sermon on the magi said the magi arrived when Jesus was about one year old, it took that long for them to come on camels from the east, your story makes much more sense that Mary and Joseph needed the gifts for their journey, so many interpretations to consider. Love all you write EKO and I share with my friends and family!
I’ve been told Jesus was almost 2 when the Magi arrived. And this was from our tour guide. As we stood by where it is believed the manger was. Cave-like. In Bethlehem.
Either way, in Bethlehem anyway, Jesus was not a newborn when the Magi arrived. Not even an infant.
Concur. On my Bethlehem tour, at the place where it is believed that Jesus was born, it is indeed cave-like. And the tour guide said Jesus was about 2 years old when the Magi arrived.
We then saw the spot where it is believed Joseph was visited by the angel in his sleep and told to leave Israel.
Thus, the “standard” nativity scene we see at Christmas time - wood manger, shepherds, the Wise Men, all gathered ‘round newborn Jesus - is incorrect. The Magi weren’t there yet.
Makes some sense that Jesus would be around 2, since Herod ordered the murder of all males 2 and under.
EXACTLY!!!
"Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words, "in Christ." —Watchman Nee
I went to church as a child half a century ago. As a teen, I was scolded for asking questions and I grew resentful. As a young adult, I wanted nothing to do with church but the spark of faith always burned in me... kept me sane through insane times, trauma, sorrow, grief... I started going to church again recently after Charlie Kirk was murdered. A young father slain for his faith and his willingness to talk to others in an attempt to win hearts and minds, to save souls. I think I found EKO around the same time. I love you too, EKO and thanks!!
So many, both young and old, will love this and learn. Bless you, EKO
I’m planning 100 episodes
Again. You’ve transformed the story- probably so much closer to the truth- so much more real than the sanitized versions. Thank you
EKO you are an amazing writer <3 Your words take me there, to that place and time. I can't wait for the next episode.
I have a love/hate relationship with Christian fiction, but I am in awe of the gift God gave you for writing it.
Good to see you, DP
Brilliant framing. Ardnon's intel operatve perspective (tracking the star like an asset extraction mission) makes the familiar story visceral in a way sanitized versions never do. The moment when the infant's gaze holds Ardnon and he sees someting predating stars gave me chills.
Nice job.
Your writing is full of love and knowing. Thank you, for putting into words the things we know but, can never express.
In that instant, he had not seen a child who would become a king.
He had seen the King, who had, for a time, become a child.
These lines are almost beyond comprehension unless you know Christ.
EKO, I never imagined that gold, frankincense and myrrh could be practical gifts to help Mary and Joseph on their journey. God does weave everything together in the most extraordinary way. I think he weaves your imagination together, along with heart felt creativity. I hope this isn't too personal a question, but do you find yourself crying at the wonder of your story even as it comes out of your hand? That happens to me when I write. I hope you are experiencing as much joy as I am through your writing. Blessings!
Where are the shepherds in this? Love the narrative but didn’t the shepherds tell what they had seen as well?
The timeline here is wrong. The Magi did not arrive at Jesus’ birth. Our pilgrimage group there at the place in Bethlehem, where it is believed Mary gave birth, was told by our guide that Jesus was about 2 years old when the Magi arrived.
Such fabulous writing. I wish I could write but don't have any patience. I still go to mass every week and I imagine my own interpretations when I hear the readings. I think humans have twisted the story for all religions. We put our own interpretations into everything and the message gets twisted. I have a friend whose daughter married a muslim, and my daughter married an atheist. We had long conversations for a while about whether it was worse for our children to marry a muslim or an atheist, and then we decided it didn't make any difference and that it was all the same anyway. Then we decided that it was really the same god for all the religions, (including the atheists) and that it was humans who messed up the story. And it may seem odd, but I feel that I have a deeper appreciation for the story now that I've removed the religious aspect, and I really enjoy your interpretations EKO. Thank you
Another fantastic read.