Christmas Eve in New York City was everything I wanted it to be. After a beautiful day on wonderfully-crowded streets, an incredible time in FAO Schwarz watching the magic in the eyes of children and an outstanding dinner at Paola's on the Upper East Side we found our way to St. Bartholomew's Church. In yesterday's post I laid out my expectations for our celebration of Christmas Eve. It was everything I hoped for...and more.
The dynamic Rector of St. Bartholomew's, William Tully, preached what has to have been one of the best Christmas sermons I have ever heard. The key to it (for me) is that it was about Incarnation, not gynecology. For years the issue of the Incarnation has been central to my own theological perspective...and for the most part I have been disappointed in much of what has passed as Christian theology on the subject.
Many, if not most, Christians are too tied up in the gynecology of Mary. Her virginity is a great fascination for far too many people whose opinions have helped shape Christian thought. The term "the Virgin Mary" has been subjected to centuries of scrutiny, and for the most part it has been men who have done the scrutiny! Does that explain the dilemma? I think it has an impact on the results of that scrutiny.
Father Tully didn't even mention the issue. He chose, instead, to identify his theme for the Feast of the Incarnation in the context of the well-known parable told by Jesus: the parable of the Prodigal Son. (Luke 15:11-32) It is the story of the errant son who trashes his father's gift of an inheritance on seedy life choices, and returns to beg forgiveness, only to find his father ecstatic that his "son who was dead has returned."
This, Father Tully, says, is the key to the Incarnation, that in Jesus, God has delivered a message of forgiveness, incorporation, and wholeness...regardless of our bad choices. No scrutiny of Mary's credentials, no confusing theological terms about the physical/divine nature of Jesus' person...just a beautifully crafted message of forgiveness and incorporation. It was wonderful...and welcome.
Threaded into a lovely setting, a well-done liturgy, outstanding music, and a packed congregation, it was a moment to be remembered for many years to come.
We topped the night off with a romantic carriage ride through Central Park and an end of the night drink in the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel. All in all, a memorable and meaningful night to celebrate not only Christmas Eve, but our daughter's birthday.
Merry Christmas to all...and I really mean "all."
Photo Credit: The site in the grotto of The Church of the Incarnation in Bethlehem where Christians believe Jesus of Nazareth may have been born. Photo by shelliedenise
No comments:
Post a Comment