JOKE-OGRAPHY:
1. Jewish laws have a lot of stuff about impurities and uncleanliness. After giving birth, for example, a mother becomes impure for a time (forty days after having a boy, or eighty for a girl). During this time, the mother can't enter temples (dwelling places of God) or touch anything sacred.
2. In this cartoon, Joseph reads about the above impurity laws from a brochure. At first, it seems like he's just informing his beloved wife of their religious duties, but in fact, he's only using it to build up an argument of why HE should be the one holding the new Baby Jesus. After all, if Mary is legally impure, doesn't that mean she can't hold Jesus, since He's sacred? Of course, by that logic, the manger could be considered a temple, since it's the current dwelling place of God-made-Man, but Joseph wisely avoids arguing this point.
Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus Christ. Christmas celebration has been cancelled for Palestinian Christians this year and the infant Christ has been placed in rubble in a powerful statement.
Doesn’t the baby Jesus give gifts in some parts of Europe during Christmas. What’s the explanation for that in the other folk canon
Who do you think got Nick into the whole toymaking gig?
I really like the Christkind's design. My headcanon explanation for how Jesus comes back every Christmas Eve as a white blond-haired female-presenting angelic gift-giver is that the Christkind is a manifestation/personification of his childlike wonder. I'm all for this golden transfem!Jesus.
"If you cannot afford a lamb, one will be appointed to you."
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JOKE-OGRAPHY:
1. Joseph continues reading about Jewish law from his brochure (continued from last week's cartoon). In Jewish tradition, the sacrifice for a newborn boy was typically one yearling lamb (for the sin offering) and one turtledove (for the burnt offering). As Mary and Joseph discuss this, the Holy Spirit (a dove, but not for sacrifice) shows up to give a knowing glance at Baby Jesus. You see, Jesus is called the "Lamb of God," and His mission is to be sacrificed for our sins, so it's ironic that His parents are required to sacrifice a lamb for HIM under Jewish law.
2. A few commenters last week were concerned about Mary and Joseph sleeping too close together in their blanket fort, as it challenges the perpetual virginity of Mary (a core Catholic belief). I argue that Mary and Joseph are a poor married couple sleeping in a barn that's open to the cold and creatures of nature, so the chaste and honorable Joseph would probably stay near his Holy Family for their protection, instead of sleeping apart and leaving them vulnerable. No scandal here!
3. A few commenters last week argued about the perpetual virginity of Mary (the belief that she remained a virgin after Jesus's birth; a belief held by the early Church even before the Bible was canonized). I just wanted to say that I'm thrilled and honored that my comics appeal to people of all religions, including other Christian denominations. It moves me every time I get a comment from someone who isn't Catholic but loves my work. That said, I AM Catholic, so please understand that my comics follow the canon of Catholicism when I can help it. No hard feelings. Of course, you're all welcome to continue giving me suggestions and debating in the comments (good-naturedly, of course). I've learned so much by listening and looking into your apologetics.
“The Nativity” [marginalia.05] // Deluxe Paint IV, 2023 // Based on the crèche at the Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, in the West Bank, set up by Rev. Munther Ishaq
I think this is the most delicate piece I've ever made! I am not christian, but I respect all religions and when one of my childhood friends commissioned this I got super excited! The detail levels of this doll is absurdly amazing and I loved crochetting every stitch of it! I did my own tweaks on the original pattern and used a glittery yarn on her veil, that gave it such a delicate touch! I'm very, VERY proud of this one, for sure!
Pattern by Rosi Guimarães (Art de Luxo)