THE FULLNESS OF LIFE
Meditation: Christian Approach
(5th of a series)
The Christian Worldview
What is so distinct about Christian approach of meditation from non-Christian approaches is merely the fact that the whole worldview of a Christian was influenced by an event that divided human history into B.C. and A.D. Although there might be a little human error in calculating the exact date of his birth, it is nevertheless beyond doubt that the abbreviations “B.C.” (before Christ) and “A.D.” (anno Domini ) affixed after the year of a given date refer to non other than the Word of God which became flesh, born of a Virgin and was named Jesus. He is also called the Christ, or the Anointed One, the Messiah. And we Christians reverently call him “Lord” that is why we refer to the current year or any other year after his birth as “anno Domini” which is the Latin word for “the year of Our Lord”, because we have the unshakeable conviction that this son of Mary, the Virgin of Nazareth, is also the Son of God.
This mysterious and miraculous birth of the eternal Word of God as man was such a prodigy that it was foretold in the sacred writings of the ancient prophets of Israel long before the event took place. It is so important an event – in fact, the highest and most important event in human history – that it had to be announced beforehand by an archangel, Gabriel, one of the seven holy angels who enter into the presence of the glory of the Holy One (cf. Tobit 12:15b). It is so pure and holy an event that Mary’s virginity was never violated before and even after the birth of her Son – it was by the power of the overshadowing Holy Spirit that she had conceived the Holy Child. And the impact of this event is so comprehensive and far-reaching that all of created realities were affected and will continue to be affected for all time and even beyond the end of human history until the whole of Creation is filled with the fullness of God.
No one is excluded from the liberating and salvific effects of this great event of Christmas. Except for the arrogant who refused to believe and accept God’s eternal plan of salvation, everyone benefits and rejoices in this Good News, the poor and lowly along with the rich and influential; the simple and unlearned together with the erudite and the sage. Thus, Sacred Scripture tells us of the wise, kingly personages from the East being led by a star to worship the Holy Child who was cradled in the arms of His gentle mother; while, not too far away, an angel of God appeared to some lowly shepherds out in the field who were keeping watch over their flock by night to proclaim the Good News.
This wonderful event which took place some two thousand years ago shapes and directs the entire Christian world view. The incarnation of the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, the Eternal Word of God, as Son of the Virgin Mary orients the whole panoramic horizon of Christian doctrines and worldview. Christian meditation focuses on this great reality which naturally transcends human logic and understanding. Christian meditation accepts this worldview without questioning, for faith comes before understanding. It is the humility of accepting and believing that merits the gift of understanding and enlightenment.
Thus, frequent meditation on the person, life, message, and mission of this Word Incarnate, Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the very essence and substance of Christian worldview, inevitably transform our old, false self which is enslaved by sin into that true self which is clothed in the newness of grace which is brought about by the Incarnation. This process of renewal and transformation of self will continue until everything becomes new and everything is filled with the fullness of God Himself. Indeed, the advent of an entirely new perspective, a new way of seeing the world – a new worldview – and the renewal of heaven and earth, had already begun when the Virgin of Nazareth courageously expressed her “yes” to the visiting Angel, and said, “Be it done to me according to Your Word.”