Of the slow revelation of God’s plan for redeeming his wayward creation, C.S. Lewis wrote, “The whole thing narrows and narrows, until at last it comes down to a little point, small as the point of a spear – a Jewish girl at her prayers.” Christ came for all humanity, but this Christmas I'm struck by the intimate way in which God dwelt, literally, in the feminine. I’m struck by how his first advent restored the dignity of women. God with us, ladies.
Of the slow revelation of God’s plan for redeeming his wayward creation, C.S. Lewis wrote, “The whole thing narrows and narrows, until at last it comes down to a little point, small as the point of a spear – a Jewish girl at her prayers.” Christ came for all humanity, but this Christmas I'm struck by the intimate way in which God dwelt, literally, in the feminine. I’m struck by how his first advent restored the dignity of women. God with us, ladies.
God created woman in his image, of course, bestowing on her divine dignity from the outset. But about five seconds after our expulsion from Eden, that dignity began to be stripped. Until very recently, the history of women in every culture and era has been one of oppression if not abuse. “But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law….” (Galatians 4:4). And he started to change things.
Charles Wesley's hymn celebrates the mystery beautifully:
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail, incarnate Diety! Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.
God could have created an adult body for his Son, as he did for Adam, and sent Jesus waltzing into Jerusalem ready to take on the powers that were. Certainly the Jews were expecting a King of that order. But he chose to start like the rest of us do, in a woman’s body. Our messiah, “although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). In stunning humility, he entered the very process he designed.
Mild he lays his glory by; born that man no more may die
In the old way women were not allowed in the temple proper; in the new, a woman’s body was deemed worthy to house Holiness itself. We who have carried life in our wombs can perhaps better appreciate the astonishing fact of the Divine taking on flesh in this way. The first felt kick. Fetal hiccups. Limbs crammed against your rib cage, organs pushed aside to make way for growing flesh and bone. Pregnancy is incredibly intimate – even more so than sex. God with us indeed.
Hail the heavn-born Prince of Peace; Hail the Son of Righteousness
As a grown man, Jesus continued to lift the chins of women. He went out of his way to connect with the woman at the well, the woman with the issue of blood, the woman spilling tears and perfume. With the adulterous woman, he ushered in a new era of mercy triumphing over judgment. Jesus was unusually tender and aware of the plight of women. Speaking of the Great Tribulation that will end life as we know it, he exclaimed, “Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days!” (Matthew 24:19). What single man thinks about how difficult things will be for pregnant or nursing women?? What man thinks about such things?
Light and life to all he brings; risen with healing in his wings
Christ esteemed women and was therefore followed by a loyal group of them. Women stood by him at the cross while all but one of his male disciples fled. One of his last acts from that cross was to give directions for the care of his mother. Though women were not considered reliable witnesses, Christ appeared to them first after his resurrection. Apparently just because he wanted to.
This Christmas, I’m thankful that the Ultimate Man valued women long before it was cool to do so. He offered us not only redemption from sin and eternal salvation, but places of honor in his kingdom. And He's a safe refuge for women in what’s still a man’s world.
Christ by highest heaven adored, Christ the everlasting Lord!
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8 Comments
Teresa
That’s one of the things I
That's one of the things I admire so much about our Lord-that He valued women in a world where women were, and still are, considered objects.It's just like He values all human life,whether the person is handicapped, homeless, or whatever.As it says in the Psalms, "His mercies are over all His works."
Sara Alexander
Thank you, Teresa.
Yes! He values the undervalued. Thank God, since few of us meet the world's standards for value.
angebarbee77
Beautiful!
From God's mouth to your fingertips to our hearts. Simply beautiful! Upon reading this blog I wept. I am adding a video here that I think goes well with your words! It is from a weekly production I run at my church. 🙂 Angie
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dooif2-yAoI&feature=share&list=PLE35pKLTYZ5zOGwbp8dXXJOfzmkUjLwmM
Sara Alexander
Thank you, Sister.
The video is perfect. 🙂
Visitor
I love your voice Sara. You
I love your voice Sara. You open my eyes to new views. "A woman's body was deemed worthy to house holiness itself." Beautiful, fantastic.
Sara Alexander
Thank you, Michelle.
I am honored that you read my little words. 🙂
AaronR
Importance of Mary
I love what you have to say. It's so important that we don't run away from Mary and her role in the story of Christmas. Unfortunately, many churches are so scared of the Catholic Church's view of Mary that they tend to ignore her importance. She was obedient and willing to allow her entire life to be turned upside down in order for the Creator of the world to enter into his creation. The Orthodox church calls her the Theotokos, which means God-bearer, because she carried God in her womb. I think its an amazing concept to think about and reflect on.
Sara Alexander
Thank you, Aaron.
I'm in complete agreement. Mary is exceptional especially when you compare her to other heroes of the Bible – Moses who argued with God about an arguably lesser assignment, David who tanked it with Bathsheba and as a father. Mary went the distance, all the way to the cross and beyond. Her response haunts me: "May it be done to me according to your word." That statement of faith cost her a great deal. Thanks for reading and commenting.