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Advent Reflections

God the Father and Embryo

By Michael D. Bobo
Photo: Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, © KimsCreativeHub / Shutterstock.com
Photo: Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, © KimsCreativeHub / Shutterstock.com
Dec 7, 2012
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Advent suggests so many mysteries of God's patience. One rarely commented case is God as Father and embryo. It is extra Biblical so imagination can only begin to tell the bizarre tale. Gabriel's annunciation and appearance to Joseph begins the period of waiting and soul searching, but a remarkable gap exists in the Advent story. Luke 1:56 makes this cursory remark as though it would suffice:

Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Presumably the second trimester of Mary's pregnancy is treated with a passing reference. If we simply take the divine conception of Jesus at face value, there was a moment in human history where God existed as Father in the heavens and embryo in Mary's uterus. Paradox of paradoxes. The Creator in utero.

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Photo: Joseph and Mary travel to Bethlehem, © KimsCreativeHub / Shutterstock.com
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