Christmas, humanity and divinity of Jesus, and mystery

I'm holding two things together as I walk through this Christmas season. It's also something we are intentionally holding together in this new church- The Bridge- that is beginning.

The two things go something like this: the confession about nature of Jesus' humanity and divinity and how mystery enfolds this very truth.

On the one hand, I believe and live out of the reality that the Church has said in all traditions and in all of history: God became flesh and blood in Jesus- God, the Son (and our new church has also been built on "orthodox" Christian teachings and beliefs). This is the meaning of the Incarnation: God becoming flesh. Yes, we say, Jesus is fully human. And, yes, we say, Jesus is fully divine.

Historically, those in the more conservative stream have backed away or have had fear in naming the humanity of Jesus. Some in more liberal streams have been hesitant or reject acknowledging the full divinity of Jesus. The Church, throughout history, has said both.

I readily acknowledge this truth.

And...I also live with mystery in attempting to grasp this marvel that has changed my life and countless others. I echo the feelings of Madeleine L'Engle, "Don't try to explain the Incarnation to me! It is further from being explainable than the furthest star in the furthest galaxy." I am uncomfortable when we try to explain this, robbing this truth of its mystery.

But, this are not mutually exclusive: the truth that God became flesh in Jesus of Nazareth (God in flesh and blood) and that we can't explain this entirely. We live with this grand mystery that has changed our lives forever!

This is a mystery. A wonderful, powerful mystery! And, I pray words like the Church throughout history about The Story in which we are living our stories. Prayers like these, that are in "The Divine Hours" (Phyllis Tickle, p. 431) as part of my daily prayer: "Purify my conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in me a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

"Joy to the world! The Lord is come!"