January 1, 2006
Emmanuel
One of the profound truths of the Eden myth is that it puts ourselves into our place in nature. As we realize and embrace this truth do we have a real hope of reaching a better understanding, and appreciation, of ourselves and of our stewardship.
Creationists seem to yearn toward affirming something like this and get kudos for trying, but they get it all wrong. Our commission to name our creature-colleagues in the Garden does not give us permission to master them as if we were somehow separate from them, but to remind us that we are inseparably and integrally part with them, and that we are their servant leaders. Ironically, God makes us the intelligent designers, the shapers, and especially the caregivers for both ourselves and the myriad of our fellow creatures from the mitochondria to the Milky Way and beyond.
If Christmas teaches us nothing else, it affirms how radically material is the religion we call Christianity. Emmanuel, God with us, Word become flesh, our flesh. We are — so far as we now know — the voices of this universe and its apologists. We are God’s fellow conversationalists and workers. We share the gift of that Word, that language, that naming, with one another in our vocation to love God and neighbor and self.
May this New Year, beginning once again in this season of God’s incarnation with us, so command our attention that the forbidden Eden-fruit which we ate contained not only the knowledge of evil, but as well, the knowledge of good. It is the gift of that good that was in us all along that God redeems in his Christ. If there be any rejoicing in these times, let it be that we yet have the opportunity and the privilege to give that good away ourselves. What better way might we share with God in his gift of peace and good will and justice for all?