The Face of God Among Us

“…if there is one true moment of full Incarnation,

then why not Incarnation everywhere?”

Fr. Richard Rohr, OSF, Center for Action and Contemplation~12/2009

 At the risk of sounding heretical to some of you, and irrelevant to the rest, I offer my reflection on those words by Richard Rohr.

Honestly, the sounds and scenes found in Christian churches during this time of year often present images that never fail to underwhelm me. The choir leads the congregation as we half-heartedly sing the hymns of old. A weary Presider retells the story of the Incarnation—the coming of God Among Us—in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, illuminating the view from the pews is an artistic rendition of a thirty-something, immaculately robed, Virgin Mary holding an equally, immaculately swaddled infant. The baby, in turn, is surrounded by very well kept barn animals, twinkling lights, and well-groomed shepherds. 

We, the People of God, are well groomed ourselves and try to remain so despite Mommies wiping baby burp off their shoulders and Daddies trying desperately to hush their tweeners so as not to break the trance brought on by too many Christmas carbs and not enough sleep. 

“Silent night, holy night. All is calm, all is bright.”

I cannot help but wonder: What would happen if we really understood that the event—around which we recreate an annual, liturgical season—is about a teenaged girl who has been named the Mother of God, AND this God is the son of this young human mother?

What would happen? We could find ourselves shouting in amazement, “Holy Mother of God!” Intellectual and theological breakthroughs might occur right in the pews.These Ah-Hah moments would (and should) be loud, noisy, and full of raucous laughter. “Yes, indeed, Holy Mother of God!”

“If,” as Fr. Rohr says, “there is one true moment of full Incarnation, then why not Incarnation everywhere?”  Why not have those seated quietly in the pews jump up and hug their partners, kiss the grandparents, and toss those whiny babies in the air out of sheer ecstasy? Greet the Incarnated, the strangers, those who set foot once a year in our churches with a very impolite, “My God! There you are, and it is so good for us to be together!”

Shout recognition of “God Among Us” to all those who represent the living God Among Us as surely as you and I do. Incarnation is everywhere, in everything, in everyone. That makes it pretty ridiculous not to shelter the homeless, feed the hungry, visit the imprisoned, or clothe the naked.

Have your genteel Christmas services filled with “Oh Holy Nights” and “Round Yon Virgins” if you must. Just remember that sitting right next to you, or sitting on your lap, or standing shyly at the nearest corner of the street is…God Incarnate.

Then your Christmas will not be a polite, cultural event. It will be an “Ah-Hah” moment of the greatest, most profound insight deserving of angels voices rocking the night, filling our houses of worship, and overflowing into our hearts, our homes and our cities.  Peace be in all, Jane