Incarnation Is.....

Some years ago a friend introduced me to the writings of the poet, Denise Levertov. I find that her poetry stretches me; most often in ways I need to be. In, God Then Encompassing, Levertov wrestles with the mystery of God coming among humanity. Theologians usually refer to this mystery with terms such as incarnation. Regardless of the terms employed this singular invasive act on God's part is nothing less than mystery. If this season of Advent reminds us of anything it seems to cry out that the mystery of God's coming to us in Jesus is one which is meant to be discovered. While Gnostics, ancient and modern, would want us to believe that incarnation's significance depends on us and our abilities to "crack the code", the mystery of God-with-us is altogether dependent upon God.

So, with incarnation's "official" celebration just one week away,(some still call this CHRISTMAS), I pause to ponder with the poet the God who comes to us in Jesus; the same God once referred to by C.S. Lewis as "The Transcendental Interferer". My prayer for us all is that by God's grace we might catch more glimpses of this purposeful invasion in the days to come....

In Christ,

Jon(the methodist)


God Then Encompassing

God then,
encompassing all things, is
defenseless? Omnipotence
has been tossed away, reduced
to a wisp of damp wool?

And we,
Frightened, bored, wanting
only to sleep till catastrophe
has raged, clashed, seethed and gone by without us,
wanting then
to awaken in quietude without remembrance of agony,

we who in shamefaced private hope
had looked to be plucked from fire and given
a bliss we deserved for having imagined it,

is it implied that we
must protect this perversely weak
animal, whose muzzles nudgings
suppose there is milk to be found in us?
Must hold to our icy hearts
a shivering God?

So be it.
Come , rag of pungent
quiverings,
dim start.
Let’s try
If something human still
can shield you,
spark
of remote light.

Denise Levertov