This is an especially interesting direction for discussion. We know that there have been many Manifestations of God throughout human existence propelling cultures and civilizations forward. Those of written religious history, we know more about than those of oral cultures. Judaism has the distinction of being one of the few tribal faiths that arose with a written culture with the Book rather than the Word of God having been transmitted orally (here, we might also include some Chinese traditions, perhaps the Egyptians, the Mayans, perhaps others). . . although, of course, there is also an active oral sacred tradition in Judaism . . . most notably retained in the Passover seder rituals and storytelling. Anyway, the Grail. . . . Lately, I've been thinking about Merlin and Arthur. I've been pondering whether, in fact, Merlin might have been a Prophet/Manifestation of God for the Celtic peoples of England with the Message of unification of the various peoples of Great Britain with Arthur as his unifying instrument. All that we have, of course, are stories, variously embellished and fictionalized. In those stories, might the Grail be the holy Sign that fuses both ancient Celtic tribal traditions with the arrival of Christianity? The Holy Grail being the tangible Sign of the Message of Christianity as it was brought from its Middle Eastern origins all the way to England. . . . So much for early Gregorian year musings, Regards to all, Susan
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