The Parsonal Computer

Deeper Magic

C. S. Lewis

Therefore once more I will astound these people
with wonder upon wonder;
the wisdom of the wise will perish,
the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.
Isaiah 29:14 (NIV)

Ours is a living language. Words change. They change spelling. They change meaning. Words are created or coined. Words we once used become obsolete.

One word that has changed drastically is “magic.” Because of its relationship with superstition and deception, as well as it relation to evil supernaturalism, one hesitates to use it. It seems too cheap, too fake to use at Christmas. It seems its age of innocence and purity is gone.

C. S. Lewis redeemed the word “magic” for me. He qualifies it with the adjective “deeper.” He distinguishes the evil from the good. In his classic book, The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, the White Witch uses magic, but Aslan, the story’s Christ figure, knows the deeper magic.

Christmas is magical as some people say. There is the spell of lights, carols, wrapping paper, holly, and ornaments. It enchants the young and the young at heart. But Christmas also has a deeper magic. A magic that transforms. There is one specific miracle that captivates me.

“The Word became flesh.” (John 1:14)

Another work of “deeper Magic” is that God becomes human flesh.

The word “became” is not only a word of entrance but also one of beautification. We use it with clothing. We say, “that new coat becomes you.” Or “It is so becoming.”

By the very act of becoming flesh Christ began the redemption process. Redemption was not just done on the cross. It began in the cradle.
He took sinful human flesh and pronounced it worth the presence of God.

Note that it never says man became God. All that the flesh can produce in its own strength is sweat and the odor of the flesh’s product is a commentary on its sufficiency. We spend a great deal of time and energy trying to make God like us. Making Him suit us. But it will never work.

There was a group of people in the early church called Gnostics. They did not believe that Jesus actually became flesh. To them He was a ghost of sorts. They believed that God was so holy He wouldn’t get His hands dirty by actually becoming one of us. But they forgot one important truth. He could never redeem us until He first became us.

The magic of God becoming flesh. The deeper magic of God. Taking on our flesh so that He could bear our sins. All of which allows us to become like Him.

Behold the mystery, the magic of God.

Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank You for a deeper magic. Thank You for Your Son becoming flesh and blood just for us.
In His blessed name, Amen.