In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
Long, long ago, when I was a college seminary student studying Biblical Greek, our professor, Fr. Barr, unveiled the opening passage of St. John’s Gospel for us to translate from the Greek. First, he had us read it in the original language. I distinctly remember a strange sort of thrill in knowing that the exotic words that I was hesitatingly pronouncing were the same ones that Christians in the first and second centuries had contemplated as they pondered the same mystery that marks our celebrations today – the Incarnate Word of God in Christmas.
My friends, we call this the ‘mystery’ of Christmas because there is invariably an ‘ineffable’ quality to the reality that we remember and celebrate in faith on this day of days. One definition of ‘ineffable’ is quite simply: a reality too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words. And so, it is. God taking on human flesh out of the grace of underserved and amazing and unconditional love – that truly is ineffable.
Perhaps, that is the reason why the deepest meaning of this feast let’s words give way to the symbols of this season that silently speak so profoundly, unpacking the mystery of this day.
We glory in the sights, smells and sounds of these days. The Christmas tree, the sacred images, the fresh smell of pine, the rich fragrance of incense and candle wax. And then, the music, the glorious music that down through the centuries has captured the heart of this ineffable mystery. Each of us, I’m sure, cherishes a carol that for one reason or another, touches us in a special way with the grace of this season. There is a beautiful contemporary carol by the British composer, John Rutter, that, for me, speaks so beautifully of the mystery of Christmas as the greatest gift to us all at this season. May that gift of love be with you now and always, gifting you with a peace beyond all understanding. Merry Christmas.
Born in a stable so bare
Born so long ago
Born 'neath light of star
He who loved us so
Far away, silent he lay
Born today, your homage pay
For Christ is born for aye
Born on Christmas Day
Cradled by mother so fair
Tender her lullaby
Over her son so dear
Angel hosts fill the sky
Far away, silent he lay
Born today, your homage pay
For Christ is born for aye
Born on Christmas Day
Wise men from distant far land
Shepherds from starry hills
Worship this babe so rare
Hearts with his warmth he fills
Far away, silent he lay
Born today, your homage pay
For Christ is born for aye
Born on Christmas Day
Love in that stable was born
Into our hearts to flow
Innocent dreaming babe
Make me thy love to know
Far away, silent he lay
Born today, your homage pay
For Christ is born for aye
Born on Christmas Day
Songwriters: John Rutter
Nativity Carol lyrics © Oxford University Press