Bambi learned yesterday that Pope Francis presented a Vatican nativity exhibit, which featured baby Jesus sleeping wrapped on a kaffiyeh scarf (https://shorturl.at/XVxEk; https://shorturl.at/kzIc2).
The kaffiyeh scarf is not any piece of tissue, given that it is highly charged politically speaking. It is often worn by genuine supporters of the Palestinian cause (some Jewish even). The kaffiyeh scarf is also sadly worn at times by some who may be addicted to virtue signalling, without substance, regardless of the cause of the day. Last but not least, the kaffiyeh scarf is also found around the neck of those whose mouth lately publicly expressed impolite slogans like “F… Israel AND F… Germany”.
Why is the Vatican, or at least its Pope, now politicizing the birth of baby Jesus who was actually Jewish, that is clearly neither Christian nor Muslim? Instead, he was simply referred to as Jesus of Nazareth. Thus, he was surely not linked to neither the State of Israel nor to Palestine (thankfully… and at the same time Jesus is filled with love for all). Stated differently, any biblical reference to Israel is usually meant to be about its meaning of “Chosen people“. Jesus came from this source since his parents were Jewish.
Of note, the birth of Jesus is supposed to be about humanity, love, and potential for redemption for ALL. This means that baby Jesus is surely not about tribalism or narrow-mindedness in historical conflicts.
Decades later, Jesus gave his life on the cross, which was his ultimate gesture of a selfless and unconditional love, to the extent of self-sacrifice, for ALL people.
In other terms, through death and resurrection, at least for those who believe in him as being the Messiah, Jesus made it possible for ALL people to be in an eternal loving relationship with God, if they wish.
Luckily, despite this odd story from the the Vatican, it is reassuring that Pope Francis seems to recall that “Jesus was born, lived, and died as a Jew” (https://shorturl.at/Kd278).
Despite the Jewish identity of Jesus, it would not only be accurate, but also wise, if the Vatican’s Jesus does not wear neither a kippah (also known as a yamaka, yarmulke, and a koppel) nor a kaffiyeh on his baby’s head. He would then be more easily perceived as being at an equal distance from all human beings, including those from the Middle East.
