Weekly News
December 21, 2025
Birth Stories: The Nativity and Theological Imagination
In this time of moving from Advent into the actual twelve days of Christmas, we’re continuing to explore the nativity. We’ve considered what Jesus’ birth was like as a historical event and how that differs from the biblical accounts of it, and now we’re going to look at what nativities do and the stories they tell - and the stories they could tell. Which elements that we commonly see in nativities are historically accurate? Which are not, and where do those aspects come from? What mythic truths (timeless larger narratives) do nativities speak to, and how do they help or hinder our journey to love God and people?
And in that line, what mythic truths could nativities speak to that help us to love God and people - what creative elements might we add to nativity scenes to express them? What modern stories need to be told as we welcome baby Jesus into our midst?
Father Nathan Monk, the Naked Pastor (did you know you can purchase his cartoons for ethical usage?), helps us think about who we see as well as who we don’t in most manger scenes. Where were the “important” people? He reminds us to consider who was and was not important in Jesus’ time in the cartoon and its accompanying post: “The Nativity Scene and the Powerless.”
Additionally, if we are to look at nativity scenes with our eyes toward the liberation of marginalized people we need to make sure to consider the roles of women in the story. Patriarchy has written women out of this and other biblical stories; in “A Womanist Midrash by Wilda Gafney” Beth Allison Barr highlights ways that the Rev. Dr. Wilda Gafney searches for clues to women’s presences as well as techniques to accurately write them back into stories in her Womanist Midrash books. Regarding the nativity, Barr notes, “Female shepherds are present in Scripture. Not only does this challenge our androcentric perspective of shepherds (such as potentially in the nativity of Jesus), but it also challenges our assumptions about biblical women.”
Mac Loftin’s Christian Century article “All Nativities Are Political” explores these questions through the lens of some creative nativities that speak to the precarious nature of Jesus’ birth and early life, especially his family’s refugee status, through the appearance of ICE in them. Adding these anachronistic elements to an already mythic mish-mash of confusing stories helps us not only to think about what birth and life were like in Jesus’ time - they remind us that rather than merely dying to save us from our sins, he was born and lived as he did to give us life abundant, and he did so not from a privileged place, but from the margins of society! When we study who Jesus was from a historical perspective (the historical Jesus) and learn about the contexts into which he was born and lived, we learn that he was truly human, which is what makes his life and ministry all the more compelling. He really is “one of us!” And at the same time he was truly one of us, he got this whole “life” and “God” thing right.
He lived in a time of deep sociopolitical tension. His Way - the kingdom, kindom, realm, reign, or empire of God was an alternative to the Roman Empire, which made him unpopular with Roman leadership - including the religious leaders of his time who were in unholy alliance with the Roman Empire. Nativities too often gloss over the realities of being born into an inhospitable world, making it overly precious, sentimental, and unrelatable to our own time and place. What happens when we add modern mythic elements such as ICE’s presence? What other modern mythic elements would you add to make a more truthful nativity? What of your own life do you need to bring into the nativity?
It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it? We will explore these and other themes on Saturday! Bring something you would add to a nativity to express a truth that aligns with Jesus, his life, his Way, and what these mean to us today. See you Saturday!
- Rev. Rebecca
What’s Next
| Dec 21-27 | Daily Bible Reading Genesis 49-50 - Exodus 11-12 |
| Sat, Dec 27, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2723 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering lunch, a real creative nativity |
| Fri, Jan 9, 6:30pm Power Creative 3221 Oak Hill Ave., StL, 63116 | Compton Heights Christian Church Open Mic Night bring your talent and your fam and friends to an appreciative audience! |
| Sat, Jan 10, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2723 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering lunch, Epiphany: following that yonder star |
| Sun, Jan 12, 5-6:30pm Amen House 4111 Connecticut St, StL 63116 | South City Youth Group Kickoff Middle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to come enjoy fun activities and pizza |
| Sat, Jan 24, 12:30pm Think+Pray+Act 2723 S Jefferson Ave, StL, 63118 | T+P+A Gathering lunch, worship, activity in community |
| Sun, Jan 12, 5-6:30pm Amen House 4111 Connecticut St, StL 63116 | South City Youth Group meeting Middle schoolers and high schoolers are invited to come enjoy fun activities and pizza |
South City Youth Group Kickoff Meeting
Do you know that Think+Pray+Act is part of the South City Youth Group with Compton Heights Christian Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Oak Hill Presbyterian Church? The youth group’s first meeting is on January 11 from 5-6:30pm at Amen House at Oak Hill Presbyterian Church, 4111 Connecticut Ave, StL!
Think+Pray+Act in Space and Times
As we continue to get settled into our new space at 2723 S Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118, we appreciate your continued prayers. We’ve been getting required inspections done, putting books on the shelves and getting the rest of the space in order, and learning more about the Benton Park, Benton Park West, and other surrounding neighborhoods, and listening for their needs.
Please stop by and visit during our open hours and join us for our 2nd and 4th Saturday 12:30pm gatherings:
Mon - Thurs: 2-6pm
Fri: 2-4:30pm
2nd and 4th Saturdays: noon-3pm
Supporting the Mission of Think+Pray+Act
We are passionate at Think+Pray+Act about being and building the future of church: intellectually honest Christianity that takes the Bible too seriously to take it literally, prays like we mean it, and leans into genuine and authentic community through being together and working together to build powerful change in the community. We have moved to a new location at 2723 S Jefferson Ave, which in addition to giving us space to host our regular gatherings and the People’s Theological Library, also allows us to host regular groups and activities for our spiritual well-being, including building spiritual growth and community through things like writing, arts and crafts, and music.
Like any worthwhile endeavor these things happen through intentional work and commitment - through both your presence, ideas, and financial gifts. As we reach the end of this year, would you prayerfully consider blessing Think+Pray+Act with your presence at our gatherings or other activities, or a financial gift? For financial support, we are able to take checks and online payments to Venmo, Paypal, and Cashapp. Thank you very much for however you can be a part of Think+Pray+Act’s work to build and reveal the kindom of God!
If you’re not on our email list and would like to be, please join us HERE
Have newsletter items? Please email them to [email protected] by Fridays at 4pm
© Think+Pray+Act
2723 S Jefferson Ave., St. Louis, MO 63118
[email protected] / 314-690-1693
FB / IG / BlueSky: thinkprayact