14 Nisan 2012 Cumartesi

December Newsletter: “The Incarnation: “God with Us”

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In a feed trough in a small stable over 2000 years ago, salvationappeared as God the Creator, Sustainer and Redeemer was revealed in a smallinfant in swaddling clothes.  It is ahard thing to fathom isn’t it? Theologians have wrestled for years with this core doctrine of ourfaith.  We call this blessed mystery theIncarnation.  “This foundationalChristian position holds that the divine nature of the Son of God was perfectlyunited with human nature in one divine Person, Jesus, making him both truly Godand truly man. The theological term for this is hypostatic union. [1]” Stated simply, God’s love for creation wasso beyond our imagine, that he walked among us. God accepted us and by this work of salvation, we are healed; ourrelationship with God is restored in the birth, life, ministry, death,resurrection and ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  This blessed mystery of our faith is somethingwe claim each week in the words of the Creed and in the prayers of theEucharist.

In Eucharistic Prayer “D” the incarnation is proclaimedin these words, “Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness oftime you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit,born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor heproclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; to the sorrowful,joy. To fulfill your purpose he gave himself up to death; and, rising from thegrave, destroyed death, and made the whole creation new.” [2]  The Incarnation (God with us) is theproclamation so clearly expressed in this prayer, and in all the prayers of theEucharist.  The mystery that is centralto our faith is “the God who created us, saves us, and sustains us.”  What good news is this for all of creation!
During this Advent and Christmas season, my prayer is that weall come to know fully the peace of God, in the good news of the mystery, “Godis with us.”  Terri, Erica and I wish youall a very blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year.Peace,

Fr. Eric+
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incarnation
[2] 1979 Book of Common Prayer

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