The story of Christian spirituality centers notable births.
A few such births are the hallmarks of our story: the birth of the first humans, Noah, the patriarchs, Moses, Samuel, John the Baptist, and Jesus. And these births center the archetypical godliness of women such as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Hannah, Elizabeth, and Mary—who themselves are born into the story as both recipients and as participants, as agents of God’s power and love.
It is within that narrative that Jesus our Emmanuel, the world’s one true Savior and Lord, is born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes, with the heavenly host singing praise to God for his birth.
Growing to live among named people, Jesus said that to enter and participate in what God was doing in and through him required that people already born of the flesh be born again. He said that no one could see or enter the kingdom of God unless they are born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-16).
This new birth by the Spirit is at the center of spirituality in the way of Jesus. Christian spirituality is not mostly doctrinal, ideological or conceptual. It is the tangible reality of new life from the Spirit that grows in one’s heart and shapes a human soul. It is spiritual re-birth.
As the sacred and festive season of Christmastide approaches, may God give you and your church a new heart and put a new spirit in you (Ez. 36:26). May the life of Jesus be stirred up in you again. This Christmas, by the gift of the Spirit, may Paul’s focus inform your reality:
I want to gain Christ and be found in him…
I want know Christ…
for to me to live is Christ—
As you live in your faith community and worship this Christmas, may new life spring up among you. May you become life-giving agents of the righteousness, peace and joy of God’s kingdom, giving birth to new life in others.
Grace and peace to you,
Bishop Todd Hunter