Enter into the Mystery This Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Christ - in a manger - and for his coming into the world again, Fr. Jonathan offers a seasonal reflection to focus our hearts, minds, and prayers, and to encourage us to “Enter the Mystery”.
Christmas is history: a little Child in a Crib. But it is also mystery: God with us. Our beautiful nativity manger scene has been skillfully and thoughtfully arranged and displayed this past week at Trinity. I am indebted to Sandra Markus and others who have helped with this time-honored tradition. The manger scene represents both the history and the mystery of the Christ child. It’s a mystery that we are all invited to enter into.
The manger scene transports us in our minds some 5932 miles to Bethlehem, and to the church that sits at the traditional location of Christ’s Birth. The church has a very unusual feature: The door of entry is very low, so low that you must stoop to enter. When we think of Christmas and the Incarnation, we are 1
really reflecting on the feast of the stooping down of God, His condescension. Our planet is but a tiny speck among the stars of the universe, and the Hand that spun the stars shivered in the cold of earth in Bethlehem. That was the beginning of the stooping down of God, and it continued until the day He allowed Himself to be nailed to a Cross — and it continues today in the form of the Eucharist.
This year our manger scene makes its home at our side chapel Altar here at Trinity, a typical and popular practice in many Episcopal/Anglican churches. A place where we continue to receive Christ today in bread and wine. To quote the beautiful words of English poet John Betjeman from his wonderful poem “Christmas”,
And is it true? And is it true, This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained-glass window's hue, A Baby in an ox's stall ? The Maker of the stars and sea Become a Child on earth for me ? No love that in a family dwells, No caroling in frosty air, 2
Nor all the steeple-shaking bells Can with this single Truth compare That God was man in Palestine And lives today in Bread and Wine.
Not only is our manger scene located
Sir John Betjeman
right back at the heart of our corporate worship (and we are excited to be able to include it within the liturgy of some of our Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany services), but, the sanctity and beauty of the side chapel provides a great place for quiet and prayerful thought, reflection, and time with God during these most special weeks ahead. I encourage you to come spend some private time before the manger, with Jesus, during this advent season.
As I watched our manger creation team hard at work, skillfully placing each character in the scene, I was taken back to the time when Jesus arrived in Bethlehem, He did so very gently. Everything in Bethlehem suggests gentleness. Mary and Joseph accepted gently being turned away at the inn. There were no frustrated and angry calls to Customer Service! The shepherds listened to the message of the angels and gently made their way to Bethlehem to find the Child and His Mother. Theirs was a gentle obedience - and they were burly and independent minded men! The Magi gently received the answer of 3
the jealous Herod and continued their journey from Jerusalem to Bethlehem until they found the manger. Theirs was a gentle and deep trust in God. There would be so much more peace in our lives if we knew how to be truly gentle with ourselves and with others. The shepherds listened to the
When the Infant of
message of the angels
Bethlehem grew to manhood, He asked His followers to learn from Him so that they would also be gentle and humble of heart. In a year where there has been too much war, too much pain, too much division, and too much hate, it’s my hope and prayer that we can all be gentle with ourselves and with each other as we seek out Christ - in the stable at Bethlehem, in our worship together, and in one another, both friend and stranger.
Enjoy your time at the manger. Enter into the mystery, and may the peace of Christ be your peace. too.
Fr. Jonathan The Rev. Jonathan Adams Rector
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