I do a lot of thinking in my car. Most of the time my thoughts drift to strange situations that may arise, but most likely won't and these situations are almost invariably theological in nature. For instance, is baptism by water gun valid? (It is.) Is mass baptism via rain valid? (It's not.) Does the disbelief of the priest affect the efficacy of a Sacrament? (Nope.) Such is the life of a Nerdius Ecclesiasticus.
One thing that came to my mind recently though, no doubt due to the closeness of Christmas, was the Incarnation. The Nicean Creed says that "For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man." This section of the Creed is dense with deep theological beauty. God loved us enough that he came for our salvation. This is of course reflected in Our Lords conversation that is recorded with Nicodemus in the third chapter of the Gospel of St. John "For God so loved the world, as to give his only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting." Not only was it astounding that he would come for our salvation, but the means by which he came is incredible as well.
"Hail full of Grace, the Lord is with thee." These were the words of the Archangel Gabriel to Our Lady at the Annunciation. By the yes of a young woman in Nazareth, the creator of the world entered his creation. He who was not under the limitation of time entered into time, and the one over whom death had no power willingly subjected himself to death.
It is almost absurd. Not absurd as in foolish, but absurd like a king living in a mud hut so that a pauper could live in his castle. Even that analogy falls terribly short. God, who created the universe cannot be contained by it and yet he emptied out himself and came among us so that we could possess eternal life. It is an absurdity, but one whose love and beauty is unparalleled.
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