On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me
four calling birds…

(Originally colly birds—blackbirds—later becoming calling birds.)

These four are said to represent the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—four distinct tellings of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

“In the beginning was the Word…”
— John 1:1

The Gospels do not speak with one voice. They disagree on details. They emphasise different moments. They shape the story for different communities. And yet, together, they testify to something deeper than factual precision: encounter.

In a world saturated with commentary, opinion, and constant reaction, the calling birds remind us that the heart of the Christian faith is not explanation, but proclamation. Not control of the narrative, but witness.

Each Gospel calls out in its own way:

• To the poor and marginalised
• To the grieving and the sick
• To the powerful and the complicit
• To the hopeful and the afraid

Broken Theology listens for these voices not as weapons, but as invitations. The Gospels do not flatten Jesus into a single image. They let him remain disruptive, compassionate, misunderstood, and free.

In times when public truth feels contested and trust feels fragile, perhaps what we need is not a louder voice—but a clearer call. One that draws us back to love enacted, mercy embodied, and hope spoken aloud.

The birds do not shout.
They call.

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May love’s voice find you
calling through the noise and fear—
truth spoken in grace.