Emmanuel

Part of God's beutiful creation (Malta)

We use the term ‘Emmanuel’ for Jesus particularly at this time of year – God with us.  Some seem to think that this means that God is ‘out there’ somewhere above and beyond and in humility comes ‘down here’ to humanity on planet Earth.  Others like St Francis see through their love of nature that God’s ‘footprints’ are everywhere in His creation.  It seems that the whole of God’s creation has a part of His DNA as it were.  You can see the likeness.  I quote from Fr Richard Rohr:

When God gives of God’s self, one of two things happens: either flesh is inspirited or spirit is enfleshed.  It is really very clear. I am somewhat amazed that more have not recognized this simple pattern: God’s will is incarnation.  And against all of our godly expectations, it appears that for God, matter really matters.  God, who is Spirit, chose to materialize!  We call it the Christ Mystery. Michael Angelo's 'Creation of Adam' This Creator of ours is patiently determined to put matter and spirit together, almost as if the one were not complete without the other.  This Lord of life seems to desire a perfect, but free, unification between body and soul.  So much so, in fact, that God appears to be willing to wait for the creatures to will and choose this unity for themselves - or it does not fully happen.  Our ‘yes’ really matters, just like Mary’s did. Adapted from Near Occasions of Grace, p. 5   In Genesis we learn that God created all things and He created humanity.  He breathed life into His creation – the Holy Spirit brooded over and breathed life into all things.  It has always been His desire to join together body and spirit – incarnation of Himself in humanity.  Sadly, we messed up and so in love, He sent His own Son to show us what He meant and make a way back for us.  Paul in his letter to the Romans says, “Do not tell yourself that you have to bring Christ down!” (10:6). And again I quote Fr Richard Rohr: He (Paul) knew that God had overcome the human-divine gap in the Christ Mystery. The issues of space and time have been overcome once and for all. God is here, not there.  The mystery of the Incarnation is precisely the repositioning of God in the material world once and forever. He is here!  All we have to do is accept and enjoy His presence. Happy Christmas!