Christmas: WHAT? ... ON EARTH?
The words are stunning, leaving us with mouths half open in awe. The remarkable event began with the annunciation and was fulfilled in the Birth of Jesus. It is an occurrence that divides our history date-line in two - the before and the after of the coming of Jesus on earth - so majestic was it!
On earth ... so far removed from heaven, the "other" which we have been accustomed to think about. Heaven and earth embraced. God, in becoming human in Jesus, not only blessed humanity but honoured planet earth that provided his body.
Saint Francis built up a wonderful metaphor around the crib - a scene so totally human but pressing us beyond the visible to ponder .. what Child is this?
The hint half guessed, the gift half understood is Incarnation, says T.S. Eliot
Francis humanised and earthed the birth of Jesus. At the humble crib he included all creation. So much did he engage the imagination that we are told at Christmas time the horses and the oxen kneel on their stable floors and bees are thought to give out a special buzz! So many earthy stories that link the celestial to our planet!
All creation is God's Word. M. Eckhart
We who follow in the footsteps of Jesus, see in the event of the incarnation and his life the wonderful relationship he had with the earth. Born of a woman, nourished by the crops and the fruits of the earth and inspired by its beauty! We marvel at his respect for and command over nature. How often did he speak about the seeds and the fish, the trees, the birds and the bread-and did he not speak to the wind? Jesus got across his most important messages by putting a value on the things of earth.
If He were alive today would he be an ecologist or an eco warrior? No doubt with an inheritance like his he would continue to be in tune with creation and especially that part of life where the need is greatest.
To conclude, Christmas culminates with the Feast of Kings. The three wise men (or were they women?) And they came with gifts to benefit all humankind!
Maybe their gift for us today would be some advice!
Recycle all those leftover bottles and cans at your local bottle bank
Recycle your Christmas tree into useful green waste.
Cut down on excess packaging. Shop responsibly and watch out for excess plastic bags. (Courtesy ENFO)
The time is now and I am here on earth. Yes on earth ... and Jesus came on Earth.. What can I do?
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(W.R. Rodgers) |