Queering Christmas

We’re queering Christmas for this episode of the podcast! First, we’re gonna explore the queer and political aspects of Christmas by examining the gospel of Luke and Matthew from the Bible. Then we discuss the meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus, emphasizing the radical and political nature of the story. Finally, we really dive into the birth narratives in both of these books of Luke and Matthew, highlighting the differences and the theological and political messages conveyed in each. This conversation explores the significance of the shepherds and the Magi, as well as the political implications of the angel’s message. We also get into the personal and pastoral relevance of Christmas for queer and trans individuals, emphasizing the importance of chosen family and the call to challenge unjust structures in society.

Takeaways

• Christmas has a radical and political nature that is often overlooked in the consumer-driven culture.
• The birth narratives in the books of Luke and Matthew offer different perspectives and emphasize different theological and political messages.
• The shepherds and the Magi represent marginalized and powerful individuals, respectively, who recognize the significance of Jesus’ birth.
• Christmas holds personal and pastoral significance for queer and trans individuals, providing an opportunity to reimagine traditions and challenge unjust structures.

Chapters

(0:00) Introduction and Meaning of Christmas

(5:54) A few points about the two scriptures that need to be said

(11:41) Diving into Scripture: Luke

(23:26) Diving into Scripture: Matthew

(25:20) Comparing the Birth Stories

(32:33) The Radical Nature of Christmas

(35:44) Personal and Pastoral Significance of Christmas

(38:31) Outro

Resources:

• Set up your account on our new resource platform: https://my.queertheology.com/home  
• Join Spiritual Study Hall to access Reclaim the Bible 
• Join the community at Sanctuary Collective. 

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