Not since a monolith was found on the surface of the moon in Stanley Kubrick's classic "2001: A Space Odyssey" has a mystery object confounded the greatest minds of our generation.

Mysterious metal monolith found in remote part of Utah by state officials counting sheep. The object, which is estimated to be around 10-12 feet (3-3.6 metres) tall, was found planted in the ground.

Advent begins today, when we pay homage to the Lamb of God and the Lord our Shepherd. Though such meek metaphors surely contradict the belief in our uniqueness that western culture also teaches us.