Incarnation in a Covid Christmas

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! I wonder what looks like this year. Too many of us are tired. Delta shifted the goal post and the rules changed. This has left many feeling confused and stressed. People are increasingly frustrated, impatient, annoyed, even angry with those they disagree with, and those they blame for what is happening. It can be hard to even find ways to talk. And still covid rages on and the future remains very uncertain. Merry Christmas!

I recently read Daniel Ladinsky’s poem “God Would Kneel Down”[1]. 

I think God might be a little prejudiced.

For once He asked me to join Him on a walk
through this world,

and we gazed into every heart on this earth,
and I noticed He lingered a bit longer
before any face that was
weeping,

and before any eyes that were
laughing.

 

And sometimes when we passed
a soul in worship

God too would kneel
down.

I have come to learn: God
adores His
creation.

For the great Franciscan theologian John Dunne Scottus, this is what Christmas is all about. Not to fix anything or to save anyone, but God being born in a food trough as a statement of how much God adores God’s creation. God loves and is committed to every part of this world and every person. Christmas is a dangerous story filled with hope, love, joy and God’s covenant love. I would invite you to find ways of sharing all this with those in need this Christmas. I especially invite you to support the CWS Christmas Appeal

So I hope this Christmas you can find some quiet to reflect on how this story reminds you that God adores this world. What does God desire for you and this world this Christmas? What do you hope for you family and those you love?

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[1] From ‘Love Poems From God‘ by Daniel Ladinsky.