love incarnate

​I must admit that each Christmas I bear a bit of “bah humbug” about the whole holiday scene. Sparkly lights and decorated trees illicit a deep and abiding “meh” from me. It is not that I have a shrunken heart like the Grinch. I think it is more that Christmas – the Incarnation of God in Christ – is so big, so holy, so unimaginably sacred that all the trappings fall short of the glory.

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​Christmas is about love writ large.  
Love that loved before the big bang boomed. 
Love that conjured canyons, molded mountains, and teased trees into existence. 
Love that coaxes the cardinal’s song and inhabits the restless heart of everyone born. 
Love that embraces the existence of all who have lived and died.  

The wonder and joy of God’s love born among us makes me stand in silence, in the cold air of a winter night, and to listen rather than speak. To soak in the light of love instead of making my own. To be overwhelmed by Love. My favorite Christmas hymn, which dates from the 4th century, offers the gravity and grace of Christmas better than I can: 

Of the Father's Love Begotten 

Of the Father's love begotten 
ere the worlds began to be, 
he is Alpha and Omega, 
he the source, the ending he, 
of the things that are, that have been, 
and that future years shall see, 
evermore and evermore. 

Oh, that birth forever blessed, 
when the virgin, full of grace, 
by the Holy Ghost conceiving, 
bore the Savior of our race, 
and the babe, the world's redeemer, 
first revealed his sacred face, 
evermore and evermore. 

This is he whom seers in old time 
chanted of with one accord, 
whom the voices of the prophets 
promised in their faithful word; 
now he shines, the long-expected; 
let creation praise its Lord 
evermore and evermore. 

Let the heights of heav'n adore him; 
angel hosts, his praises sing; 
pow'rs, dominions, bow before him 
and extol our God and King; 
let no tongue on earth be silent, 
ev'ry voice in concert ring 
evermore and evermore. 

Christ, to thee, with God the Father, 
and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, 
hymn and chant and high thanksgiving 
and unwearied praises be: 
honor, glory, and dominion, 
and eternal victory 
evermore and evermore! Amen. 

Text: Marcus Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, 348-413; tr. composite 

Merry Christmas to all. 

Pax Christi,  
Tim Olson – Lead Pastor