Today’s thought has had a plethora of inspirations. The new Some Girls Remastered Deluxe Edition is on my Christmas list so the Rolling Stones were on my radar. Then my congregation’s biggest Stones fan brought me a heap of the classic albums on vinyl. After that one of my Gospel According To... conspirators, Gary Burnett, suggested we could never do a Gospel According To... The Rolling Stones! I reckon we could but it would be a push and I’m still trawling through a huge catalogue for six songs! Finally, my Youth Director, Christopher Hunter did an inventive Children’s Address in Fitzroy and then at a local Primary School comparing Santa Claus and Jesus. When it came to their contrasts Chris suggested that Santa gives us what we want but Jesus gives us what we need! Hey presto... Christmas According To... The Rolling Stones:
“You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need...”
Chris is onto something and the Stones are singing the refrain. It is not difficult to contrast our western Christmas with the picture of that first nativity. In this manger scene there is no wasteful decadence, no spoiled child or parent. The image is actually suggesting the exact opposite; a God who emptied himself of the safety and security of heaven for germs, cold and death squads on the prowl. The gift that is centre stage wasn’t exactly prayed for. Mary didn’t ask for the scandal and the King on the throne had no desire to be usurped, even if it is God’s chosen one! Did humanity want a revolutionary baby who would challenge our selfish self indulgence and model a way of radical selfless and sacrificial service. No, we didn’t get what we wanted but we did get what we needed; a Redeemer, a Saviour, a Way to live.
It reminds me of the words of Kendall Payne too:
“May your blessings be many but not what you hoped they'd be”
Mick and Keef got it; the difference between Santa and Jesus!
Regarding a Gospel according to.... Stones night, foresight re further similar nights after that might require that you include
"Well this could be the last time
This could be the last time
Maybe the last time
I don't know. Oh no. Oh no."
Only joking of course. Who gets to be Keef? and who's gonna strut like Mick? Will Jack Daniels sponsor the event??
Posted by: John T | 22/12/2011 at 02:35 PM