At the risk of putting you to sleep, I’d like to ask each one of you to close your eyes. Right now, for just a minute. Please close your eyes. And now imagine with me. Imagine that you are holding a newborn baby. Imagine how this baby feels — skin touching skin, curves touching curves — harmonious heartbeats as life surges between you. Imagine the smell — the earthy sweetness of breath and body perfuming the air. Imagine the sound — the silent melody of sighing, stretching, settling. Right now, for just a minute, let your imagination go. Feel the baby. Smell the baby. Hear the baby. And rejoice! This very night the baby you hold in your arms is God.

Now as you open your eyes, as you come back to this warm womb of worship, let us think for a minute about the utter absurdity of it all. God …