A different 'take' on the birth of Jesus / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

November 23, 2025 7:23pm CST

Bishop Salvado established the monastery town of New Norcia and I’ve written quite a few discussions about it. The aborigines he worked with and educated were not so much primitive but completely uninformed about what was outside their own environment. So Jesus’ birth in a stable surrounded by donkeys, cows and sheep meant nothing to them. However, they could relate to a baby born under grass-trees with kangaroos, kookaburras and emus looking on. This fresco is one of several on the walls of part of the church. All have an Australian flavour.

2 people like this

2 responses

Amber

@AmbiePam (106858)

• United States

I understand that bit of thought. Not Biblical, but a lot of cultures take liberties. I remember my dad telling me once he went to a Korean church, and in paintings shown there Jesus was portrayed as Korean. Then, I attended a primarily African American church, and Jesus was portrayed as black. It’s an odd thing since Jesus was Jewish and that is well documented.

Gayle Harrelson

@2ndchances24 (11158)

• Cloverdale, Indiana

I don't get it?? "So Jesus’ birth in a stable surrounded by donkeys, cows and sheep meant nothing to them. "but they could relate to a baby born under grass-trees with kangaroos, kookaburras and emus looking on" ??