It is the incomprehensible fact of God entering into history; that he stepped into our law, into our space, into our existence -- and not only like one of us, but as one of us. That is the thrill and the incomprehensibility of this event.
History now becomes the Son's mode of existence; historical destiny becomes his destiny. He is to be encountered on our streets. In the darkest cellars and the loneliest prisons of life, we will meet him. And that is already the first blessing and consecration of the burden: that he is to be met under its weight.
Along with the first blessing, there is a second: All those hauling the same load feel it when a new, powerful shoulder places itself under the burden and joins in carrying.
And let the third blessing be spoken simultaneously with the other two: ever since that Holy Night, the divine-human life became the primordial model of existence, according to which all life will be formed by God, if we do not resist this formation. The strength for mastery of life grows through the influx of divine life among those to whom Christ has made himself known, among the greater human community as well as small groups brought together by circumstance.
We will be better able to cope with life, more efficient and capable of life, if we open ourselves to the instructions of this coming night. Let us hike and journey onward, neither avoiding nor shunning the streets and terror of life. Something new has been born in us, and we do not want to tire of believing the star of the promises and acknowledging the singing angels' Gloria -- even if it is sometimes through tears. Our distress has truly become transformed, because we have been raised above it.
--Fr. Alfred Delp, S.J. (died 1945) was condemned to death in Germany during WWII.
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