The risks of giving birth are almost unbelievable. So many things have to go just right in the life of the growing baby and in the life of the mother. In the case of Mary of Nazareth she begins her birthing saga as an unwed mother. Joseph is initially a less than certain partner in their union. Jesus’ birth is written as occurring in the most difficult of circumstances and in the lowliest of places. Mary and Joseph are traveling. They are without the security of their own home. They are also alone and without the support of their extended family. Mary is in need and so too Joseph. A barn and a manger will fill their need of a home and support for at least one night.
When we decide to believe in Jesus, we give birth to a most radical and, in truth, an almost unbelievable Mystery. A child, who, if you can believe it, is born in unbelievable circumstances. We celebrate in this holiday the birthing of divinity into humanity, itself unbelievable. Mystery, divinity, is meant for the heavens, a supernatural world of the invisible, not the natural world of that which is vulnerable, that which diminishes and dies. Belief in Jesus means belief that divinity as not born into splendor or might. It means divinity is birthed instead into the marginalization and weakness of a baby born into poverty. There is little else to recommend belief in such divinity other than our own witness. Our belief is born out in our willingness to discern the Real Presence of God within humanity; weak and vulnerable though we are.
Jesus was born outside status and might and convention to be with those of us who are also born outside such margins. He was born to remind those of us born inside them to look beyond the margins. Look beyond the margins we devise, for the fullness of divinity lays beyond. Do I believe that?
Prayer: Spirit of Lowliness, may I live with the same trust as Mary and Joseph.
Question: What would it take for me to believe in the fully graced nature of humanity?
December 22, 2013 Gospel Mt 1:18-24 Fourth Sunday of Advent