+ An Advent devotional written for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chicago, IL for December 4, 2014 +

Today the Church commemorates St. John of Damascus, Syrian monk and priest, defender of icons, and Father of the Church.

“Previously there was absolutely no way in which God, who has neither a body nor a face, could be represented by any image. But now that he has made himself visible in the flesh and has lived with people, I can make an image of what I have seen of God…and contemplate the glory of the Lord, his face having been unveiled.”

–John of Damascus + December 4, 749

Advent is the season of anticipation for the incarnation of God into human form – and yet we know that this incarnation has already happened. God became human and dwelled among us. Through the person of Jesus, we have seen a physical manifestation of God. The Almighty God took on a fragile body like ours and now we can glimpse the face of God in the face of a laughing child, our spouse, or a homeless veteran.

As we contemplate the mysteries of God’s choice to assume a human body, John of Damascus reminds us that icons and other works of art can help us reflect on the simultaneous intimacy and incomprehensibility of our God.

In addition to his defense of icons, John of Damascus was a renowned hymn writer, one example of which is included below. John’s ancient hymn propels us deeper into our Advent ponderings and how they will lead us to the glory of Christmas Day.

Bethlehem Rejoices

By: John of Damascus

Bethlehem rejoices!
Hark the voices clear,
Singing in the starlight
Nearer and more near.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to all be given;
This God’s will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

Heaven cannot contain Him,
Nor the bounds of earth,
Yet, oh glorious mystery!
Virgin gives Him birth.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to all be given;
This God’s will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

Now the light ariseth
In the darkened skies,
Now the proud are humbled
And the lowly rise.
Unto God be glory,
Peace to all be given;
This God’s will who dwelleth
In the heights of heaven.

Prayer of the Day: 

Confirm our minds, O Lord, in the mysteries of the true faith, set forth by your servant John of Damascus; that we, with him, confessing Jesus to be truly God and human, and singing the praises of the risen Lord, may, by the power of the resurrection, attain to eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.