In the ancient Church, and until rather recently, we genuflected at the two references to the incarnation in the Mass: at the Creed and at the Last Gospel (John 1). Why did we do this? It was explained to me that the mystery was so deep that one could only fall in silent reverence.
There are many paradoxes and seeming impossibilities in the incarnation. As mysteries they cannot be fully solved, so they claim our reverence. We genuflected in the past, and we bow today at the mention of the incarnation in the creed for it is a deep mystery.
As we approach Christmas I would like to list some of the paradoxes of Christmas. I want to say as little of them as possible, just enough to make the paradox clear. This paucity of words, not common with me, is in reverence to the mystery and also to invite your own reflection.
- The Infinite One becomes an infant.
- An antiphon for the Christmas season says, How can we find words to praise your dignity O Virgin Mary, for he whom the very heavens cannot contain, you carried in your womb.
- An old Latin Carol (in Dulci Jublio) says, Alpha et O, Matris in Gremio – (Alpha and Omega, sitting in mommy’s lap).
- He who looks down on all creation looks up to see his mother. The most high looks up from a cradle. Of this moment even the pagans wrote with longing and tenderness: Incipe, parve puer, risu cognoscere matrem….ipsa tibi blandos fundent cunabula flores, occidet et serpens, et fallax herba veneni occidet (Begin, little boy to recognize the face of your mother with a smile….For you, your own cradle will bear delightful flowers; the serpent will die, and the plant that hides its venom) – Virgil 4th Eclogue.
- He who indwells all creation is born in homelessness.
- He to whom all things in heaven and on earth belong, is born in poverty and neediness.
- He is the mighty Word through whom all things were made. He is the very utterance of God, the Voice which summons all creation into existence. Of this Word, this Utterance, this Voice, Scritpure says, The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful, the voice of the LORD is full of majesty….The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness …The voice of the LORD makes the oaks to whirl, and strips the forests bare; and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” (Ps. 29). Yet, this voice is now heard as the cooing and crying of an infant.
- His infant hand squeezes his mother’s finger, as infants do. From that same hand, the universe trumbled into existence. That same hand is steering the stars in their courses.
- He who holds all creation together in himself (Col 1:17) is now held by his mother.
- He who is the Bread of Life is born in Bethlehem (House of Bread) and lies in a feeding trough (manger).
- He who is our sustainer and our food, is now hungry and fed by his mother.
- Angels and Archangels may have gathered there, Cherubim and Seraphim thronged the air! But only his mother in her maiden bliss, could worship the beloved with a kiss. (Christina Rosetti “Ere the Bleak Mid Winter”).
Each of these is meant to be a meditation as Christmas approaches. Please add to this list!
Remember the word paradox means something that defies intuition or the common way of thinking. It unsettles or startles us to make us think more deeply. It comes from the Greek: para- + dokein. Para usually meaning “beside, off to the side,” sometimes “above,” and dokein meaning “to think or seem.” Hence a paradox is something off to the side of the usual way of seeing things or thinking about them. If you are going to relate to God you’re going to deal with a lot of paradox, for God’s ways and thinking often defy and confound human ways and thinking. God is not irrational but He often acts in ways that do not conform with worldly expectations.
This Christmas consider these paradoxes and learn from them. Remember too, mysteries are to be lived more than solved. Reverence is more proper to mystery than excessive curiosity. Here, more is learned in silence than by many words.
In all these paradox, I see the huge risk God takes to save me. What can I say than Thank you Lord.
The Son God rejoices to be son of man
He that have been receiving the worship of Angels now has only the Shepherds to come and adore him.
The Saviour now depends on the one who needs salvation for survival.
The ‘Creator’ needs ‘created’ for growth
“The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air, nests: but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
A paradox that would make anyone sad.
A little over an hour ago I attended a weekly half hour evening bible study at a street mission and, afterward, we went to another room for the traditional “day old” baking and coffee or fruit juice for a bit post discussion fellowship.
Suddenly an anecdote came to me and I shared it and, couldn’t really tell much about how the others there felt about it but, here it is;
Some days before the first Christmas it was announced in the angelic courts of heaven that the sky would need to be filled with angels for the nativity and that a sign up sheet would be on the main bulletin board.
There were hundreds of times of more angels than it would take to fill the sky over the new born Messiah so, as one might expect, there was a rush to get to the bulletin board and sign up. Of course, this being angels, everyone lined up in turn and waited to sign their names in proper order of arrival at the bulletin board.
Once all interested parties in the ranks of the angels had signed Michael took the list and flew up to where he would be over all the courts of heaven to read off the names of those who would be present.
Even though Michael was at a great height over the courts the list in his hand trailed downward to the standing levels and piled up in a great heap. The ones who had signed the second half (or even the second to sixth sevenths) weren’t all that happy because they didn’t see much chance of being picked for this special job.
There was a hush when Michael announced that he was about to read out the names of the ones who’d been selected. Then he paused as he passed the paper hand over hand until he reached the bottom and said, “As you know the policy here is that the last shall be first.” and started to read off names starting at the bottom of the list and heading toward the top.
The chocolate muffins with the chocolate chips were very delicious.
The Holy family was not homeless. Joseph and Mary had a home. They were simply away from home.
As for poverty. As askilled carpender Joseph would have certainly been able to provide adequatly for his family.
He would have probably been what we call working class or middle class today. They stayed in the stable not from lack of funds for the Inn but because the Inn was full. I doubt that they were the only family in such circumstances that night.
Not sure why you’re reacting as strongly as you. These are brief bullets rather than a fully developed historical analysis. I developed the issues you describe more fully here: http://blog.adw.org/2011/12/on-the-poverty-of-the-first-christmas-and-the-gift-to-love-the-poor/
I understand your overall concerns but the fact is that Joseph and Mary, along with Jesus did experience the vicissitudes of life in the time surrounding the Nativity. I would stake out a position a little less sanguine than yours while fully admitting that the Holy Family was destitute, rather they were in the laboring class. Not sire if there was a middle class per se at that time, more likely the merchant class/land owners and the working class who today we might term the working poor.
Even though we often want to be held in God’s arms, He too desired to be held in human arms.
May I publish this Paradox blog (Dec 23) on our website (duluthbenedictines.org) with source information, of course. I noted that you have a copyright notice for photos and graphics but do not mention creative material. And this is a good reflection for the Christmas season. My usual writers are unusually busy with the duties of ther callings this season.
Whether yes or no, I thank you for this blog. Thought provoking and awe awakening.
Andi