The Manger Child

The Manger Child: A Christmas Sonnet

The Story once was full of joy

With Angel’s songs and Wise Men’s toys.

“Good News to All and Peace on earth”

A child was born of holy worth.

The Story spread on acts of love,

But Power soon added a glove

And Force became a common part

To bring conversions to the hearts.

The Story struggles yet again

There is a hero without sin

Who maybe asks if you’ve been nice

Yet seems to give without a price.

What happened to the Manger Child?

He’s been replaced by Santa mild.

rick brand, 2013

One for Pope Francis

     I have not seen it or read all of it. I have only heard reports about what it said, but I celebrate the message I heard. I heard that the new Pope, Francis, has issued an 80 page analysis of economic realities. In it he has indicated that he did not believe capitalism is an economic system that was compatible with the Christian faith.  I think that that needs to be said more and more.  The unregulated pursuit of profit is not an approach to life which those of us who want to follow Jesus ought to support. Even the regulated form of capitalism is not very attractive.   There is a reason why so many of the other countries have something called Christian socialism.
     Because I have not had a chance to read the whole thing, I do not know what all the major points are that are brought to bear against capitalism, but I would argue that capitalism is built on two major evils: the sin of greed and the sin of selfishness.  Capitalism pushes for more and more profits. CEO's set profit goals and eliminate activities that do not reach those goals.  One commercial for a bank once had the line "I think my money ought to be making more."  More, More, More.  In our small town we have seen a number of large company outlets closed; not because they were losing money, merely because they were not growing their profits at the targeted magic number of some CEO in some far away place.  Good jobs and nice stores closed because they were not making "more." The movie that had the line "Greed is good" may be an extreme but that is what capitalism pushes for.  Why would the wealth want tax shelters in small islands if they were not greedy to keep what they have and want to make more.
     Greed and selfishness may be part of the same evil, but the selfishness is manifested in the fact that one only cares about what I make and not what happens to you.  Capitalism is focused on each person being out for their own advancement and not caring what happens to others. In fact, the competition in capitalism means that I want to eliminate you or weaken you so that I can make more.
     Pope Francis is right, and he has already been vilified by a host of people. Condemned by radio conservative people.  There is too much of our American Christian community wrapped up in our flag, our country and our capitalism for there to be too much acceptance or appreciation of what Pope Francis says, but he is right