The Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ

Published by

on


“What can we bring you, O Christ, for having been born for us on earth as a man? Each creature, the work of your hands, offers you a sign of gratitude: the angels, their hymn; the heavens, the star; the magi, their gifts; the shepherds, their admiration; the earth, a cave; the desert, the manger; and all mankind, we offer you a virgin mother.” (Hymn from the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church).

Jesus was able to become human because Mary, on our behalf, gave him that possibility. She gives him humanity even as he gives us divinity. The early church fathers said that God became human in order that humanity might become divine.
In reflecting on this great mystery Meister Eckhart, a fourteenth century German monk, asked a profound question in one of his sermons. “What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the son of God fourteen hundred years ago and I do not give birth to the son of God in my time and in my culture?”

Christmas is not just something we celebrate. It is something in which we participate. So how will we give birth to the Son of God in our time and in our culture? How will we give birth to the Son of God here in our community, in our schools and workplaces, in our families, in our church, in meeting the needs of the poor, in speaking for justice, in our relationships, in our brokenness and pain, in our joys and celebrations?

© Michael K. Marsh and Interrupting the Silence, 2009-2024, all rights reserved.

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.