What do Christmas and 3I/ATLAS Have in Common?

Comet 3I/ATLAS passed Earth on December 19 at a safe distance and appears to be heading out of our solar system. It exhibited unique features such as an anti-tail that pointed towards the Sun and not away from it, which is not normal. Its immense speed suggests it has been traveling for perhaps 7 billion years, which makes it far older than our Earth, sun, and solar system. Very amazing, this visitor.

So amazing that some scientists felt it might not be a comet at all, but a technological achievement from an ancient civilization elsewhere that may now be extinct. That does not seem to have turned out to be the case, however.

The whole story raised questions and excitement from all around the world—it preoccupied telescopes from all countries and corners of the earth and beyond. The Chinese interrupted a space satellite focusing on Mars to point it toward 3I/ATLAS. The Hubble and Webb Telescopes focused its way, as did telescopes in South Africa, Chile, Hawaii, Europe, and Russia. All people were eager to learn something new about the universe we live in.

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb felt there was a 40% chance that it was not a mere comet, but a visitor from another civilization from billions of years past. It raised questions about the fine line between science fiction and reality and how the former sometimes becomes the latter. This same scientist said that this could be the “most important event in human history.”

I propose that it may have been the second most important event in human history. For if Christmas is true, if the Source of the universe did indeed decide to become a human being and live among us, that would be the first most important event in human history.

And, like 3I/ATLAS comet (or artifact made by an ancient civilization from another planet), it would bring all nations together to stare and wonder, examine and ask: “Who is this visitor?” “Is it friend or foe?” (Einstein said that the most important question we can ask in life is this: “Is the universe a friendly place or not?”) “Why has it come?” “What does it have to say to each of us?” “How will we respond?” “How will we treat this visitor who has shrunk itself down to human size and voluntarily entered into all the vicissitudes humanity undergoes?”

The Christ story arouses such questions as these. And there is something stunningly realistic about how the visit to Earth did not, at first glance, go so well, how this visitor (sometimes called Son of Man and sometimes called Son of God) was not so well received. How he preached about humanity’s capacity for love, fairness, justice, and compassion, while living the simple existence of a traveling peasant preacher. But was eventually put to death in a most ignominious way, crucified by a powerful empire in league with certain religious leaders.

God visiting our humble but unique planet and becoming one of us with all our frailty and vulnerability and becoming subject to all the limits of being human, took on the great powers of a great Empire. What an amazing story to tell.

But it does not end there. The story surprises even more with a statement about death not having the last word, about resurrection for all, not just for kings or pharaohs buried just right in immortality projects manufactured by the powerful and wealthy.

The visitor rises from the dead and promises resurrection for all. He democratizes resurrection, promising the capacity of all to mirror the maker of this universe by way of creativity, joy, laughter, forgiveness, justice, compassion, and love.  That the secret name of the Source without a source is Love. And each of us bears that name within us.

What an amazing story! What an amazing visitation! It only occurred 2000 years ago. What might it become if humans were to take it seriously as the extraordinary extraterrestrial visitation it was?

How might it bring nations and peoples together and insure a mature Homo sapiens that moves from hatred and war to peace and sharing? From taking for granted to celebrating community with gratitude, reverence for self, one another, and all creation?

Banner Image: The Heart Nebula. Image by JMLAstrophotos on Wikimedia Commons.

Queries for Contemplation

Do you see a connection between the Christmas story and the 3I/ATLAS story? What do you learn from comparing the two?

Related Readings by Matthew Fox

The Coming of the Cosmic Christ: The Healing of Mother Earth and the Birth of a Global Renaissance

Stations of the Cosmic Christ

Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality

Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth

Order of the Sacred Earth: An Intergenerational Vision of Love and Action

The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human

Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality

The Return of Father Sky: A Cosmic Mystery for Kids of All Ages