THE CHARACTERS OF CHRISTMAS: the Modern Audience as Participant (a sermon to be preached on Dec. 27, 2015, at Kenwood Church in Livonia, MI)

The audience is a central figure in the way we understand literature today.  We focus not only on who wrote what but who would read what.

This ancient gospel is a story for the modern reader as much as the original recipients.  We are the audience.  We are the ones intended to grapple with this difficult story just as much as the people in ancient Israel.  

What are your thoughts as you read the story?   What does the story compel you to do?  Who do you connect with in the narrative?  How has the gospel changed you?