Preparing the Way in a Desert That Knows How to Tell the Truth

"I read a story about a group of atheists who put up huge billboards to celebrate Christmas. Well, maybe not celebrate, but comment on Christmas. The billboards featured a large picture of Santa Claus with the words “Keep the merry” and a picture of the crucified Jesus with the words “Dump the myth.” “Go ahead and enjoy a happy winter holiday,” these billboards seem to say, “but don’t fool yourself with any fantasies that a god might be involved in it.” Infuriating as this may be, sometimes you can almost understand why atheists would look at some of our Gospel stories and decide that they seem fantastic, mythical, unrealistic. Today’s beloved story of the three Wise Men, for instance, evokes outlandish, improbable pictures in our minds of men on camels wearing exotic turbans and silken robes, carrying bejeweled boxes full of inappropriate baby gifts. And looking at this very odd story, we too might even be tempted to throw up our hands and say, “Such a strange story couldn’t possibly be true.” But before we dismiss this Wise Men story as quaint pageantry, we should maybe explore what’s here and why Matthew wanted to tell us the story. So we have four Gospels, one of which doesn’t tell us a Christmas story at all, and three of which tell the Christmas story in very different ways. And we need to understand that while all three versions carry truth, each of these Gospel writers chose to tell us about different things to make points of their own. On Christmas Eve, we hear Luke’s Gospel story with angels and shepherds and a manger, with all the soft edges and sweet carols that we associate with Christmas. Luke’s Gospel is Christmas for the poor and the lonely and those who are aching for love. On Christmas Day, we hear John’s version, which doesn’t mention Bethlehem or Mary or Joseph or the birth of a child at all, but rather soars off into the doctrine of creation and the divine light that existed with God before time began, the light of and for all people. This is Christmas for theologians. Well, today, we come crashing down to Earth again with Matthew’s version of how Christ was born… That’s why Jesus was born. That’s why the whole world brings gifts to his door. That’s why God lives among us still and empowers us to change this world. That’s why God rose from the dead and still lives in us today. And that story is true."

On January 4, 2026 , St. Barnabas Episcopal Church welcomed The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook , Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego , for a Sunday afternoon service marked by celebration, welcome, and shared purpose. Before the service began, The Ven. Cindy Campos , Archdeacon of the Diocese of San Diego, introduced herself and shared brief updates on diocesan ministry. She spoke about work beyond the border, including Comunidad de Luz in Tijuana, which serves migrant women and children through education, care, and support. She also highlighted the Emergency Air Conditioning program, a St. Barnabas initiative serving the Borrego Valley with support from a diocesan grant. Ahead of the service, Bishop Susan met with those being baptized and received, offering guidance on how the service would unfold and setting a welcoming, pastoral tone for the afternoon. During the 3:00 PM service, one person was baptized and seven individuals were received into the Episcopal Church. As clouds moved across the sky outside, moments of sunlight filtered into the sanctuary, gently brightening the space as the service progressed. Bishop Susan delivered the sermon which emphasized the ways that hope springs from times of extreme distress. She welcomed the new members, and celebrated communion, joined by Fr. David L. Madsen, Rector, Fr. Michael Plekon and lay leaders Jan Naragon Llouise Jee and Paula Huls, reflecting the shared leadership of the parish. St. Barnabas choral musicians provided music throughout the joyful service, supporting congregational worship and bringing tears to more than one person’s eyes. The ensemble was led by Naomi Madsen and included Sherry Harapat, Dick Helvig, Jeanne Plekon, and Llouise Jee.  Following the service, the celebration continued with a shared meal, conversation, and time together, marking a meaningful day in the life of the St. Barnabas community. Photos © Susan Forsburg. All rights reserved.

"I read a story about a group of atheists who put up huge billboards to celebrate Christmas. Well, maybe not celebrate, but comment on Christmas. The billboards featured a large picture of Santa Claus with the words “Keep the merry” and a picture of the crucified Jesus with the words “Dump the myth.” “Go ahead and enjoy a happy winter holiday,” these billboards seem to say, “but don’t fool yourself with any fantasies that a god might be involved in it.” Infuriating as this may be, sometimes you can almost understand why atheists would look at some of our Gospel stories and decide that they seem fantastic, mythical, unrealistic. Today’s beloved story of the three Wise Men, for instance, evokes outlandish, improbable pictures in our minds of men on camels wearing exotic turbans and silken robes, carrying bejeweled boxes full of inappropriate baby gifts. And looking at this very odd story, we too might even be tempted to throw up our hands and say, “Such a strange story couldn’t possibly be true.” But before we dismiss this Wise Men story as quaint pageantry, we should maybe explore what’s here and why Matthew wanted to tell us the story. So we have four Gospels, one of which doesn’t tell us a Christmas story at all, and three of which tell the Christmas story in very different ways. And we need to understand that while all three versions carry truth, each of these Gospel writers chose to tell us about different things to make points of their own. On Christmas Eve, we hear Luke’s Gospel story with angels and shepherds and a manger, with all the soft edges and sweet carols that we associate with Christmas. Luke’s Gospel is Christmas for the poor and the lonely and those who are aching for love. On Christmas Day, we hear John’s version, which doesn’t mention Bethlehem or Mary or Joseph or the birth of a child at all, but rather soars off into the doctrine of creation and the divine light that existed with God before time began, the light of and for all people. This is Christmas for theologians. Well, today, we come crashing down to Earth again with Matthew’s version of how Christ was born… That’s why Jesus was born. That’s why the whole world brings gifts to his door. That’s why God lives among us still and empowers us to change this world. That’s why God rose from the dead and still lives in us today. And that story is true."

On January 4, 2026 , St. Barnabas Episcopal Church welcomed The Rt. Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook , Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego , for a Sunday afternoon service marked by celebration, welcome, and shared purpose. Before the service began, The Ven. Cindy Campos , Archdeacon of the Diocese of San Diego, introduced herself and shared brief updates on diocesan ministry. She spoke about work beyond the border, including Comunidad de Luz in Tijuana, which serves migrant women and children through education, care, and support. She also highlighted the Emergency Air Conditioning program, a St. Barnabas initiative serving the Borrego Valley with support from a diocesan grant. Ahead of the service, Bishop Susan met with those being baptized and received, offering guidance on how the service would unfold and setting a welcoming, pastoral tone for the afternoon. During the 3:00 PM service, one person was baptized and seven individuals were received into the Episcopal Church. As clouds moved across the sky outside, moments of sunlight filtered into the sanctuary, gently brightening the space as the service progressed. Bishop Susan delivered the sermon which emphasized the ways that hope springs from times of extreme distress. She welcomed the new members, and celebrated communion, joined by Fr. David L. Madsen, Rector, Fr. Michael Plekon and lay leaders Jan Naragon Llouise Jee and Paula Huls, reflecting the shared leadership of the parish. St. Barnabas choral musicians provided music throughout the joyful service, supporting congregational worship and bringing tears to more than one person’s eyes. The ensemble was led by Naomi Madsen and included Sherry Harapat, Dick Helvig, Jeanne Plekon, and Llouise Jee.  Following the service, the celebration continued with a shared meal, conversation, and time together, marking a meaningful day in the life of the St. Barnabas community. Photos © Susan Forsburg. All rights reserved.