Born among Dragons
“The Word became Flesh and dwelt among us.”
German-American illustrator Fritz Eichenberg (1901-1990) was especially sensitive to the paradoxes and struggles of modern existence. His woodcuts featured frequently in the Catholic Worker newspaper, the flagship publication of Dorothy Day's eponymous organization for the dissimilation and promotion of Catholic social teaching. His art often emphasizes Christ's radical and immediate presence amidst the modern poor, Christ of the Breadlines being probably the most famous, and certainly the most iconic among his illustrations.
Here is Christmas 1954. At a glance, it looks like a fairly typical nativity print. We see the Virgin Mother asleep, cradling the infant Jesus in her arms while shepherds and animals and angels look on. But there in the background is not Bethlehem, but a modern city. And coming to pay homage to the newborn King are not three wise men, but three homeless men. And -- most subtle, but most striking of all -- there, sleeping beneath the floorboards, are three dragons.
There's so much to consider in the manger scene and in the great story of the nativity, that it scarcely comes to mind, but it is powerfully and profoundly and necessarily true, that if "every knee will bow," it will include the knees of his enemies. "In heaven, and on earth, and under the earth," as the Apostle underlines. And so we do well to imagine them caught up in the calm and in the quiet of that "Silent Night" we celebrate.
But holding a little space for the dragons does more work even than that. It calls to mind and helps us to remember, that although the peace of Christmas is real -- very real -- it is also temporary and tenuous. That ancient dragon coiled beneath the could awaken at any moment and darkly transfigure the scene. And this is no taint, no extrinsic feature to the story. As the Christmas season deepens, we remember the martyrs -- St Stephen, the first martyr (commemorated 26th); and St Thomas Becket (commemorated 29th), a reminder of the ongoing casualties in the contest between heavenly and earthly power. We consider Herod's genocidal raging on the Feast of the Holy Innocents (28th), and we remember the violence of the Circumcision (Jan 1) ... and we find that our Christmas Feast is wreathed in blood.
We read also typologically in John's Apocalypse of the dragon who sought to devour the child born to rule (Revelation 12:4-5); an echo of that ancient prophecy, that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15). God with us come among us in Christ moves this story forward: advances this ancient contest. It be fearsome and discordant to consider, but it is ultimately profoundly hopeful. The child is destined to defeat the beast. And so to include them, to wrap them up in the peace of the manger scene, is most appropriate: biblically, historically, liturgically, and existentially.
When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.
— Galatians 4:4-5
First Sunday after Christmas
Texts for this Week
Prayer
Almighty God, you have poured upon us the new light of your incarnate Word: Grant that this light, kindled in our hearts, may shine forth in our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Christ is Lower Still
Porter’s Gate produced this song in collaboration with Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries for the eponymous album, “Sanctuary Songs.” We remember, as we continue our celebration of Christmas, that the Incarnation is Christ’s descent to us, to make space for us.
The song captures the radical nature of the Incarnation—the Light of the World descending into darkness, the King of Kings laid in a manger, the cup of suffering willingly drained so that we may be redeemed. At Christmas we celebrate Immanuel, "God with us," who lowered himself that we might be raised up as beloved children. This stirring anthem distills the profound mystery and beauty of the Word made flesh.
