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10 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." – John 1:14 December 5 lord oF lords, in huMAn vesture My favorite part of the Christmas season, apart from the whimsical look of lights peeking through a fresh dusting of snow on the trees, is the music. Familiar carols are playing on radio stations, in churches, and hummed as we wash dishes or fold laundry. The words of these songs are often lost in the hustle and bustle; I hum the tune more often than I sing the words, and I rarely pause to ponder the deep meaning that is woven into each verse. One of the most meaningful Christmas songs I have encountered is a nineteenth century hymn, paraphrased by Gerard Moultrie, based on the liturgy of St. James that has been used since the late fourth century. "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence," with its almost chant-like sound, asks us to reflect on the incarnation of Christ. King of kings, yet born of Mary, as of old on earth he stood, Lord of lords, in human vesture, in the body and the blood… The Creator of the universe, the King of kings and Lord of lords, took on body and blood. He came for us. For me. For you. The One who holds all power and glory and honor was a fragile baby. We read in John 1:14 that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word, which just a few verses before is called God, became flesh. God became flesh and dwelt among us. King of kings, yet born of Mary. As we continue in this season of Advent, of anxiously anticipating and awaiting the com- ing of Christ, let's remember to pause and remind ourselves of what it means for Christ to come in human form. Let's make humming or singing our favorite Christmas songs an act of worship, rather than something we do mindlessly. For God to be human is for God to know us and to love us, and that is what we get to be reminded of with each Christmas song we sing. Maggie Burns Current student, mAster of divinity