I have been struck this year by how God came, the length He went through to be us, when He is so other us. To come, I would imagine, as a sperm cell into a young woman He created. Why not just walk in like He usually did in the OT, or fall upon. But to live like one of us from the absolute beginning is astoundingly astounding, and seemingly unnecessary. And to then come out of the birth canal, to gasp for air, to depend on His creation to feed Him and protect Him. Seems crazy. Who would come up with a plan like that. To live a life like ours, albeit short, and allow His own death, with stupefying cruelty. To know such a God as this. To be known by such a God as this. I've rested in this story and have relived my own life in His. To feel safe, even while Herod is after you, knowing you could depend on Mary and Joseph. I don't know. I can't put my finger on it, but it is so brilliant...the light. So pure.
Walter, thank you for sharing your reflection with us. I haven't spent much time before this contemplating the microscopic level of Jesus becoming one of us in the way you describe and it's so compelling and yes, indeed, "brilliant" and "pure." Thank you!
I have been struck this year by how God came, the length He went through to be us, when He is so other us. To come, I would imagine, as a sperm cell into a young woman He created. Why not just walk in like He usually did in the OT, or fall upon. But to live like one of us from the absolute beginning is astoundingly astounding, and seemingly unnecessary. And to then come out of the birth canal, to gasp for air, to depend on His creation to feed Him and protect Him. Seems crazy. Who would come up with a plan like that. To live a life like ours, albeit short, and allow His own death, with stupefying cruelty. To know such a God as this. To be known by such a God as this. I've rested in this story and have relived my own life in His. To feel safe, even while Herod is after you, knowing you could depend on Mary and Joseph. I don't know. I can't put my finger on it, but it is so brilliant...the light. So pure.
Walter, thank you for sharing your reflection with us. I haven't spent much time before this contemplating the microscopic level of Jesus becoming one of us in the way you describe and it's so compelling and yes, indeed, "brilliant" and "pure." Thank you!