20 years ago — December 29, 1997
“Each of the three monotheistic religions has a ‘Christmas story.’ That is, each has a story in which heaven touches earth with heaven’s glory. In Judaism there are a number of such great moments. One can point to the call of Abraham, the sacrifice of Isaac and the burning bush. Islam affirms such a moment in the revelation of the opening sura of the Quran to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel. For us it is a babe in a manger … . This season invites us to reflect… on incarnation!
“Authentic incarnation always includes vulnerability and in the Gospel story that vulnerability appears as a two-sided coin: a manger and a cross, incarnation and atonement, a beginning with a slaughter that foreshadows the end, a babe in the arms of an old man and a sword that pierces the heart.” This vulnerability informed Paul’s visit at Philippi. Even though he was a Roman citizen and protected from beatings, Paul allowed himself to be arrested and beaten. When he revealed he was a citizen, the magistrates apologized. But Paul went further taking the magistrates to the church at Lydia’s home. His silence about the mistreatment secured the church’s protection from harm. His vulnerability brought home the message of incarnation to this young church.
From “Incarnational vulnerability: Jesus and St. Paul” by Kenneth E. Bailey
