One of my favorite Christmas carols is “In the Bleak Midwinter.” It was written by 19th century English poet, Christina Rossetti. Living in 19th century England as a single women, Rossetti knew something about bleakness. Her haunting poem speaks to the stillness into which Christ was born - “a stable place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.” I love the juxtaposition of the grandeur of God not being able to be contained in all of heaven and earth with the tangible mortality of the mean estate of humanity.
Over the course of Christian history, we have struggled to put Christ’s two natures into words that come close to describing the divine mystery of the Incarnation. We have argued, declared one another as heretics, and held Church council after Church council to settle this debate. Yet, I cannot help but be reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The mystery of God is hard to translate into the human vernacular. And, our best attempts are often communicated in juxtaposed lines of poetry like this one penned so long ago.
In hearing and singing this song, I am reminded that the miracle of Christmas goes beyond Christmas trees and decorations, beyond carols and hymns, beyond our attempts at understanding mystery and miracle; and it points to the Divine Love and Mystery of God who in all glory condescended to us in the act of the Incarnation. What a God we serve! What a Love that covers us! What a Promise of Hope we have in the Person and Work of Christ!
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