Basil the Great: On the Incarnation

In this short meditation the formidable church father, Basil the Great, invites his hearers into the mystery of the Incarnation. He advises silence and wonder not lofty explanations of the event. It is important to note that Basil is not advocating for a simplistic Christianity devoid of rich theological depth. All you have to do is read Basil's writings and you would see that is not the case. But, as it refers to our spiritual condition, to our worship and our meditation on the incarnation, Basil offers us an invitation into silence. For him, silence shuts the mouth of reason that is always asking "why" or "how?"  There is a time to speak, but also, a time to be silent. For Basil, the joy of the Incarnation is experienced and understood in the quiet wonder of humble worship ("veneration").

Today, as the haste and busyness of the season reaches it's height, we can resist the call to be silent. There is always so much to do. There are always great songs to sing. But perhaps Basil offers us a greater share of good pastoral advice than we would at first assume. For, in silence, we hear the story afresh; in silence we have opportunity to pacify our ruminations and hear our own heart's troubles--troubles that require confession and anticipate in silence some good news. In silence we learn to pray, to be still--a stillness that leads to knowing God (Psalm 46:10). In silence we are prone to listen, to hear the words of Good News that speak not just of what has been done, but about what God is doing now, and the promises of what is expected. In silence, we learn to revere the Word that came into this world--for you, and for me.

The actual, first nativity of Christ, His actual birth from all eternity in the bosom of His Father, must be venerated in silence. We should never permit our mind to investigate this mystery. Since time and space did not exist, since no form of expressions had yet been created, since there is not a single eyewitness, nor anyone who can describe this eternal birth, how can reason form any concept for reflection? How can the tongue give expression to thoughts that cannot be formulated? The Father was, and the Son was born! Do not say: "when?" but rather leave that question unasked. Do not ask "how?" for there is not answer! For the word "when" suggests time, and "how" suggests birth in the flesh...God is on earth, He is among men, not in the fire nor amid the sound of trumpets; not in the smoking mountain, or in the darkness, or in the terrible and roaring tempest giving the Law, but manifested in the flesh, the gentle and good One dwells with those He condescends to make His equals! God is in the flesh, not operating from a distance, as did the prophets, but through Him human nature, one with ours, He seeks to bring back all mankind to Himself.

St. Basil the Great "On the Incarnation"