Dark Brightness

The incarnation is offensive. It goes against the grain. A woman does not get pregnant without intercourse — of some nature (I guess nowdays we have to include artificial insemination).

In this, no babe is a mistake, for by having intercourse one chooses to accept that a babe may be born (contraceptives markedly decrease the risk. They do not remove it).

Mary’s first comment — how can this be? only makes sense if she HAS not had intercourse. She was planning to marry — and probably have children — after that. To be pregnant unwed was more than a scandal — the local fanatics could (as still occurs in some Muslim areas) execute you.

Mary is not condemned for using reason, and asking questions. Our assent is not blind to the will of God. She coose to take this risk in obedience to what had been said. For this, she is honoured. The incarnation is a miracle, and the church fathers wisely chose to discuss this for four weeks before Christmas.

Luke 1:26-3826

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” 35The angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38Then Mary said, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.

via PCUSA – Devotions – Daily readings for Sunday, December 20, 2009.

So what is the offense? Is it that the idea of an interventionist God scares us? For if God intervenes — if he cares — then we will be held to account. If he chooses not to intervene, then we have to work out why.

But if God does not intervene, there is not means to obtain mercy: there is no hope when evil triumphs, and there is no meaning in the practice of holiness. We are left in the dark, blind. And we are making up myths so we have meaning.

Let us honour Mary, for her courage allowed there to be incarnation, and let us celebrate Christmas.