Christmas Apples in the Kraut Barrel

In our last post we used the expression 'Supply Side Jesus' which comes from a cartoon by Sen. Al Frankin. We had intended to link to it on Youtube but have not mastered the trick. It is called 'The Gospel of Supply Side Jesus' and it is worth finding and having a look-see.

Our 'Dutch' ancestors liked sauerkraut. It was a way to preserve cabbage through the winter and beyond. Sometimes they would place apples inside the kraut barrel for a special treat at Christmas.

We rinse our kraut, mix in a shredded apple, and add some brown sugar to sweeten it. We cook it in Reisling seasoned with bacon drippings and add a shot of gin for the taste of juniper. This is a good side dish to go with our bratwurst steamed in beer and bay leaf. Some mashed 'pratters' with bacon gravy to finish the plate. Serve with dark beer and pumpernickle.

Political Correctness is found on both sides of the political spectrum. During World War I it was not politically correct to use German at all. Sauerkraut became 'Liberty Cabbage,' something like, when the Republicans tried to rename french fries by calling them 'freedom' fries. We think that this sort of nonsense is just silly. We have never liked having folks tell us what words we must use; or what words should, or should not be, considered as offensive. We'll be the judge of that! Thank you very much!

In the E.L.C.A. they would like for all of us to use 'gender-neutral' or 'inclusive' language. If you go to the headquarters on Higgin's Road in Chicago, and happen to refer to the Holy Trinity as the Father, Son and Holy Ghost; someone might get a case of the vapors!

Gender neutral language ends up using abstractions; and God is not an abstraction. He is a Person. He may even be eccentric. He may be a bit romantic about this morality play that we call history. He may consider the old chivalry to be a jewel in His crown. It is not at all pious to speculate about such things. This is precisely the reason that we should confine ourselves to what is revealed. We call Him 'Father' because Jesus taught us so to do. As Luther might put it, we should so fear and love God, as not to put word's in His mouth, but rather, to take Him at His Word Alone!

We prefer that the sacred be treated as though it were,... well, sacred! We prefer;and ought to prefer, that the liturgy and hymns be intoned, said and sung as they were written, Faithfully translated that we might understand their meaning. We do not find in all of this 'liberty cabbage' of inclusive language any apples of goodness for our Christ's Mass!



We think that feminists are rather prudish in their own way. They remind me of the high priest, Caiaphas, who rent his garments when Jesus referred to Himself as the 'Son' of God. He thought it so offensive, that he handed Him over to the Roman Governor to have Him executed. Pilate presented the Jews with, not one, but two,' Sons of the Father'. Jesus and Barabbas, the later name meaning, 'son of the father'. Jesus was accused of nothing more than using offensive language. Barabbas was guilty of 'theft' or as it might be translated, 'terrorism'. It is possible that Barabbas was a Jewish terrorist. Pilate gave the Jews a choice for release. The crowd drunk on the liberation theology of their day chose Barabbas! Jesus could be said to have been crucified for not being politically correct. He was certainly not gender neutral in His choice of words. We can only wish that these feminists were as zealous in His cause as they are in their own! Like the proverbial virgin sensitive to the pea under her mattress; so sensitive are they, as to the use of the pro-noun 'he', that they will not rest until it is rooted out of their worship. That pea has been there for two-thousand years disturbing the peace of no one. It is only in our day that skin has been found so sensitive as to cry out for it's removal. Theirs is not the Christian faith of always and everywhere. It is not catholic. It is a thin-skinned faith; and that is why it will not last.

Even so, we should live and let live. Then, let them worship God in their own way; and let us worship God in His!

May He help us all to be good apples in this sour world, and may He preserve us for the Feast to come! Let us put aside all our disagreements and worship the Heavenly Babe for Whom the Herald Angels sang , Gloria in excelsis Deo! Peace and Goodwill to all!