The Glorious Impossible: God come to be one of us!
THE NATIVITY
And so he was born, this gloriously impossible baby, in a stable in Bethlehem.
Mary and Joseph had to leave home because of the general census ordered by Rome; so Joseph took his young, pregnant wife to register in Bethlehem, because he was of the house of David.
Little Bethlehem was crowded, overcrowded with people coming to register. There was no room in the inn, no place for Joseph to take Mary, whose labor was beginning.
How terrifying for Mary to be wracked with pain while Joseph tried helplessly to find someplace for them to stay. Finally they were guided to a cave where animals were lodged. There Mary gave birth to the infant Jesus, surrounded by lowing cattle, by donkeys and oxen. Exhausted, but filled with joy, she laid him in a manger.
Nearby, some shepherds were out in a field with their flocks when suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared before them and the glory of the Lord shone brilliantly all around them. And they were terrified.
"FEAR NOT!" the angel cried and told them of the birth of the child who would bring joy to all people. They were told that they would find this holy child wrapped in linen cloths and lying in a manger.
Suddenly the angel was surrounded by a host of heavenly angels, singing in a mighty chorus to the glory of God.
When the angels left and the shepherds were able to speak, they hurried to Bethlehem. There they found Mary and Joseph, just as the angel had said, and the baby lying in a manger. They told Mary and Joseph about the angels, and Mary listened and treasured their words. Gently the shepherds placed simple gifts-a lamb, a woolen wrap, a ball-by the baby and then Mary and Joseph were left alone with the child, marveling.
Holding the child in her arms, rocking, singing, Mary wondered what was going to happen to him, this sweet innocent creature who had been conceived by the incredible love of God and who had been born as all human babies are born.
God, come to be one of us.
from Madeline L'Engle's The Glorious Impossible
Comments