“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”
I was first introduced to this piece singing alto with a
children’s choir at summer camp for a “Christmas in July” concert. On break
from university I would curl up, gazing at the Christmas tree, and blast it
through my headphones. In Tokyo
I would turn the volume on my laptop as high as it would go, feeling the
harmonies swirl around me as I looked out on the river and the lights of the
city. Regardless of my location, circumstances, mood… the beauty, humility, and
glory of this piece draws me out of myself and to the feet of God in worship. (And yes, that link is me attempting to play this majestic piece composed for a large 8-part choir... on the organ. Unfortunately not doing the lyrics, music, or our great mysterious God justice, I know! But hopefully it gives you a general idea)
It is a song about
the incarnation. The great mystery of Christmas: God taking on flesh.
“O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!”
And it is a song
about us. I mean really, am I that much better than an animal in comparison with our Lord? And He
comes not just to let us see Him, but to move in with us! And the most
mysterious of all? After He takes on flesh, lives with us, dies for us, raises
victorious… He doesn’t even stop there. I think the greatest mystery of all
comes next, as He gives us the magnificent title and role: “Now you are the body of Christ…”
O great mystery! That God not only lived with and for
humanity, but He purifies and calls us worthy, like Mary, to bear Christ the Lord.
You and me. In our brokenness and weakness and big-hot-messiness. To be bearers of His Light, to be
His Word made flesh in this world.
Incarnation. The God of the universe as a baby, born to a virgin. And most mysterious of all…in us. Alleluia!
~John 1:1, 14
~1 Corinthians 12:27
~M. Lauridsen
