Long ago, a poet-king (David, Psalms 139:14) told us we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." I know I am. Each of us is unique.

 

I want to talk about someone who is most unique, and very wonderfully made. John the Elder talks about his birth in one of his books (Revelations 12:4):

 

“...The dragon stood in front of the woman who was going to have a child, to devour her child as soon as it was born."

 

This is not the familiar nativity scene in a manger that we're all so used to.

 

"She gave birth to a son, a man child, who is to rule all the nations with a scepter of iron. And the child was snatched away and brought to God and to his throne."

 

Some of you might not want to believe it happened that way. And you might find it hard to believe his mother was a virgin. And, if that's the case, I imagine you have an explanation for the reports that he rose from the dead. That's all right. If you want to believe the Holy Bible is a work of inspired fiction, it's all right.

 

What is your favorite book? When I was a kid, I loved reading Mark Twain. I used to imagine myself floating down a river with Tom and Huck. And when I was a teenager, just fixing to head out on my own, I read On the Road by Jack Kerouac. It changed my life. I knew it was fiction. Well, it was probably inspired by actual events.

 

All I'm asking of any of you atheists and agnostics, Buddhists and Baptists, so-called Christianists and ex-Catholics, Darwinists and Dharma Bums, is to accept the fact that the Bible has changed the lives of a lot of people. It could change yours, too.

 

Ever feel like calling on a Higher Power? This is how to do it.

 

Call his name. Tell him what a great guy he is. Tell him what a great job he’s doing. Apologize for anything you’ve done that you’re sorry about. At this point, you can ask for any special favors for yourself or others. Then tell him again what a great guy he is. Say amen.

That's it! Here is a sample of how to talk to a greater power (Matthew 6:9-13):

 

Our landlord, who lives upstairs, you are the greatest.

Your apartment is fantastic.

Your lease agreement is OK for us as it is for you.

Today, we ask you for a break; just like we give the guy down the hall a break.

Don't make it too easy for us to cheat others;

Keep our cars and karma running smooth.

Because you are the best CEO of the most Earth-Friendly corporation we ever saw.

Selah!

 

The man who wrote that died a long time ago. This is just my translation. But he didn't just die. He was lied to. He was betrayed. He was arrested on a false warrant and brought to trial at a kangaroo court.

 

While he was being tortured, he was insulted by passers-by. Even two thieves who were being tortured along with him couldn't resist throwing some insults. And just before he died, he looked down, and there were some jerks throwing dice to see who would ‘win’ his clothes. Christ forgave them all. Then he died.

 

But he didn't stay dead. After three days, he started living again; just like the flowers and greenery around us come to life in the spring. And by striving to be like him, we can have a new life on earth, here and now.

 

If you want to be like the budding trees, and have new growth; if you want to be like the spring flowers, and bloom again; if you want to be part of the ideal universe, unfolding as it should; give the Good Book a second glance.

 

Give it a second chance. Read it for the allegory, the allusions, and the imagery. Look for the metaphors, the motifs, and the archetypes.

 

You may find a second chance too.