Advent Reflection Week 4

I wonder who else perceived a glimpse of the hidden glory of God on earth in those first nine months. Did Mary’s parents notice? Did Joseph, the local religious leaders or even the Roman soldiers notice? Did the stars in their heavenly courses, the heavenly host on their delivery schedules, the sheep in the hills or the camels on the plains sense that something awesome was about to happen.

And how aware was the heavenly infant himself of all that he was about to encounter. Was he really ready for the stark reality of an asylum seeker’s poverty and transience? For his childhood growing up among a conquered people ruled by an emperor in a distant land. For his enrobing by human flesh which, as his mother had experienced, would mask the heavenly glory within. Was he aware of the inability of humanity to pause and so encounter his hidden glory until he was well into adulthood?

In this final week of Advent, we are given the opportunity to ponder these big questions. Opening our hearts, minds and spiritual eyes to catch a glimpse – just a small hint – of the glory to come. Preparing ourselves to greet all the glory of God in such a vulnerable human bundle of delight. It is so easy to leap to the traditional annual celebrations both secular and within our churches without really allowing ourselves to truly take in the awesomeness of this birth, this incarnation. The everyday normality of a newborn child and all the glory of creation and beyond as one and the same.

Although we can never fully grasp the vastness of this miracle beyond miracles, we are able to catch a glimpse which will vastly enhance all that this joyous season brings.

With all my love and prayers for this Advent and Christmas time

Revd Sandra

 

 

 Incarnation

 This is the emptying.

The release of heaven.

The descent

into the warmth

of a young girl’s womb.

Vitally yoked

to her heartbeat and life.

Sharing the scandal

and embarrassment of flesh.

A covenant of love

sealed in ligament and bone.

Glory

to God in the Highest.

Glory

here in straw and blood.

RICHARD BECK