Advent with Theotokos, Christmas Day

A meditation on the Nativity through the Mother of God

Merry Christmas!

Since much of my work this year has centered on motherhood, in both human and divine constructs, it seemed only natural that this Advent I would revisit the age-old Christmas story through the eyes of the mother of God. (The historical Church dubbed Mary “Theotokos” or “mother of God” in the year 431 A.D.) This is the last of a five-part meditation series; today’s reading is inspired by Luke 2.

---

A note: to get the maximum benefit from this meditation, save it for a time when you can give it your full attention. Find a peaceful place to sit, have a journal and pen handy, perhaps light a candle, and take an internal posture of prayer, expecting the Spirit to stir something within you that is relevant to your own life. If you would prefer an audio version, just reply to this email and let me know.

---

Christmas Day

Her son, milky and damp, purred in her arms

and they came then — the visitors,

the messengers,

the worshippers —

came to tell her what had been revealed to them;

came without answers,

came, if anything, with more questions.

If she’d been hoping for clarity,

certainty,

she was sorely disappointed.

This was God; this she knew.

But what? How? When? Why?

Mystery upon mystery.

Unknown upon unknown.

She pondered these things her her heart, we are told.

Turned them over like stones,

fingered them like gems;

treasured

stored up

tended to

pondered.

She chewed on the Mystery,

not demanding to ever swallow;

not demanding to ever be satiated.

She chewed on the Mystery and

bowed to the cloud of unknowing.

Maybe uncertainty gripped her but

transcendent love enveloped her.

So she could surrender to the

Great

Unexplainable

Undefinable

Uncontainable

I Am.

So she could surrender to the bliss

needing nothing for certain

but Love.

---