December 25, 2006

“And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us ...”

If you are well-formed in your Christian faith, you well know the meaning of this phrase, this truth revealed to us in both the Bible and Sacred Tradition. In just ten simple words we have the nucleus, the profound core of the Divine plan spoken by the prophets of old, unveiled in the Holy Gospel, and proclaimed by the Church in every age. This is what all the gift giving and the bustle and business of this “holiday season” is all about, and why everyone appears to be running about from pillar to post. In the midst of the tinsel and bright lights, the ribbons and wrappings, the songs and the celebration, rests an infant asleep in the caressing arms of His adoring mother.

The feast we now celebrate is called “Christmas,” an Old English word which refers to the Mass celebrated in honor of Christ’s birth. Liturgically, the feast is properly called “The Nativity of the Lord,” the birthday of the God-man. Both the conception and birth of Christ are linked as one in a mystery called the “Incarnation,” taken from the Latin word “carnis” which means flesh. Indeed, it is a wonderful truth which makes Christianity essentially different than any other religion. We believe God, Who is eternal, immortal, immutable, omniscient, and omnipotent, at a precise moment fully took on human nature. Here is the very root and the firm foundation of our Catholic Faith.

Writers have told us that it was this mystery which provided Saint Francis with hours of ardent meditation. Pondering this mystery stirred within the saint a sensible sweetness, a profound awe and visible joy which often reduced him to tears. Early biographers tell us that Saint Francis wanted to enter more fully into this great event by reenacting its drama with the people of Greccio. Atop a mountain and under a star filled sky, midnight Mass was celebrated outdoors at an altar surrounded by straw, with animals and an assembled crowd of worshippers illuminated by bright torches and long candles.

Just three days ago, I had a wonderful meditation on the Incarnation; but interestingly enough it occurred neither at Mass nor atop a high mountain, but rather, at the airport. While waiting for a friar to come out of the terminal, I sat in a car parked curbside to the passenger pickup area. As I sat waiting behind the wheel, for close to twenty minutes I watched an almost endless procession of cars and taxis pull up to the curb either to pick up or drop off passengers. However, I didn’t just watch the people, I observed their behavior. There, alone in the car, I witnessed “the Word becoming flesh,” that is, almost everyone expressed their “word” of greeting or good-bye with a touching of the flesh—a handshake, a hug, or a kiss.

Speaking about airports, I am often amused at the fact that when we are on a plane, and sit next to a person who is a complete stranger, we make a concerted effort not to touch them. This very subtle yet certain “fear” makes some relaxing things like sitting and eating somewhat stressful. There we sit with our elbows tightly tucked in lest we touch the stranger sitting next to us. It is almost hilarious thinking about a plane packed with people eating their meals like raccoons—feeding themselves with arms close to their bodies and hands busily at work by their mouths! Yet, when sitting next to a family member or close friend, this concern completely disappears. The simple fact is this: the closer the relationship, the more personal the touch. This is why business clients shake hands, friends and family members embrace, and spouses intimately and physically unite.

The fruit of my twenty minute airport meditation taught me that our affection is often measured by our “enfleshment,” which is why we distance ourselves from those we dislike and draw near to those we love. Such is the mystery and depth of God’s love for each of us; He totally unites Himself to us physically—in the flesh, in the crib, on the cross, and in the cup. Yes, the Word is made flesh and dwells among us! Christ is born! Glorify Him!

Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR