The Word was Made Flesh … and Dwelt Among Us *
Then He summoned an archangel,
Saint Gabriel: and when he came,
Sent him forth to find a maiden,
Mary was her name.
Only through her consenting love
Could the mystery be preferred
That the Trinity in human
Flesh might clothe the Word.
Though the three Persons worked the wonder
It only happened in the One.
So was the Word made incarnation
In Mary’s womb, a son.
So He who only had a Father
Now had a Mother undefiled,
Though not as ordinary maids
Had she conceived the Child.
By Mary, and with her own flesh
He was clothed in His own frame:
Both Son of God and Son of Man
Together had one name.
*
“Glory to God in the Highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests”
“A savior has been born for [us] who is Messiah and Lord.”
“You are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
“And they shall call him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.'” **
*from a verse of Saint John of the Cross’ Romances poetry, as translated by Roy Campbell under the title The Incarnation and found in the Liturgy of the Hours, Volume 1, Appendix IV: Poetry.
** cf Luke 2:14, Luke 2:11, Matthew 1:21, and Matthew 1:23 quoting the prophet Isaiah 7:14.
*
Art for this post “The Word was Made Flesh … and Dwelt Among Us”: Adoration of the Child, Gerard van Honthorst, circa 1620, PD-US author’s life plus 100 years or less, Wikimedia Commons.
Editor’s Note from the entire team here at SpiritualDirection.com, the Avila Institute, and the Avila Foundation: We wish you and yours a very Blessed and Merry Christmas! May our Lord shower you with grace during this holy season. May His everlasting light shine upon you! May Christ the Prince of Peace and Lord of Lords, the King of Kings, reign in your hearts now and forever.
