Years ago I was in a theology class and the professor introduced the theological terms imminence and transcendence. One speaks about the omni nature of God. The other term reminds us that God is with us. For some reason I have remembered the terms for over forty years and I still don’t know which is which.
They come together when we celebrate Christmas. This is expressed many different ways in the Bible. The Gospel of John has none of the birth narratives but deals with the theological undergirdings. John starts with the eternal nature of Jesus.
(Joh 1:1 KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.And then he points out the incarnation,
(Joh 1:14 KJV) And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Matthew got down in the dust and put it in language even children can grasp.
(Mat 1:23 KJV) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.If you want to get distracted by the date, have a good time. If you want to complain about the materialism that dominates Christmas gift giving, I can understand. It we think that traditions like the Christmas tree spring from pagan roots, I won’t argue with you. All I ask is that you then take a deep breath and remind yourself,
(Gal 4:4-5 KJV) But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.You have had almost 2,000 years to get over it. So Merry Christmas, Festive Fullness of Time Day, Emmanuel, or whatever you need to hear to get in the spirit of celebrating the Incarnation.
homo unius libri
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