Category: Christmas

And the Word Became Flesh

December 26, 2021

St. Gregory of Nyssa called Christmas the “festival of re-creation.” It is God giving God’s own life to his people. It is as if God said, “I want humanity to see my face. I want them to hear my voice. I want them to touch me. I want them to smell my sweat. I want them to eat my body. I want to live their life. I want them to live my life.” “And the word became flesh and lived among us.” This is God in the flesh, the divine human, holy humanity. … More And the Word Became Flesh

In the beginning was the Word

December 25, 2021

So I was thinking, maybe we could do that, too. Maybe we could bear witness to the light that comes from the Word who was with God, who was God in the beginning. Maybe we could be like John so that others might believe through us and the light, which enlightens everyone, might shine forth on everyone.

This, I was thinking, is exactly what Christmas invites us to be and to do, to bear witness to the light. And we are asked to do all in our power to help others do so as well. This is what is meant by seeking and serving Christ, the Word, the Logos, in all persons, everywhere, at all times. … More In the beginning was the Word

The Gamble of the Incarnation

December 24, 2021

They themselves became the image of the incarnation, where humanity and divinity become one.

At the incarnation, with the birth of Jesus, in the Word become flesh, God disarms completely. It was an absolutely insane and risky thing to do: trusting a people with such a horrible track record of violence and war with the birth of the son of God. But, that is precisely what God does! God gambles on us. It’s an incredulous, risky gamble when God bets on us, pushing all the chips in and saying, “No matter what I’m holding and no matter what you’re holding, no matter the cards left in the deck. I’m all here. I’m all in. I’m with you.” … More The Gamble of the Incarnation

Good News!

December 25, 2019

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY (Christmas I)
The challenge for us in the world is to find ways to acknowledge the presence of God in the ordinary and to celebrate God’s presence in the everyday. Maybe we can find God in the smile of a friend, in sharing a meal, in the beauty of art and music. That’s the challenge of Christmas, to keep it alive all year round – to make sure that we expect God’s inbreaking as part of our ordinary lives. … More Good News!

Light in the Darkness

December 30, 2018

1st SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS (Year C)
The incarnation of God demonstrates an alternative way of seeing life and living in the world. Creation is good! The world we live in is good! Our bodies are good! We are “original blessings.” And as original blessings, we are invited to live with love and justice with the rest of the created order. We are invited to be fully human, fully alive – not just marginally human and somewhat alive. As Matthew Fox reminds us, “Being alive is not the same as going shopping or making a nest in which to escape the suffering of others. Living has something to do with love of life, and the love of other’s lives and the other’s rights to life and dignity.” … More Light in the Darkness