Origin Story #17 of 21:

The man named his wife Eve,

because she was the mother of all living.

(Gn 3:20)

Adam gets right back into the naming business. He can’t help himself. That’s what humans do—it’s their God given vocation. Wherever we find humans, we find incurable namers. They name stuff. “Woman” is a good name. But now that death hangs over life; a more meaningful name is required: “Eve.” It’s a good name resembling the word for “living.” Adam and Eve will die; but, humanity lives on. She brings forth life in the midst of death.

On this side of Christmas, we can’t help but think of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who was “born of a woman” (Ga 4:4). Man in his power must step aside. This is between God and the Woman. This One, will not be born out of the complex good of a woman’s desire and man’s assertions (Gn 3:16). But rather, out of Holy Goodness (Mt 1:23): "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel." God in a manager. “Conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary” as we confess and as we sing our carols of joy and wonder.

The mystery and wonder of Christmas has to do with that riddle about how the child of a woman, though wounded, would crush the serpent’s head (3:15). It’s the riddle of God’s grace that outlast the curse: “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Ro 5:20). Mary, the second Eve, responds to her calling as the mother of our Lord, by trusting God’s Word: “Let it be with me according to thy Word” (Lk 1:38). Let it be. That’s why we call her “Blessed” (Lk 1:48).