What does this research mean for the field?

Julian of Norwich utilized the discourses and experiences of pregnancy and childbirth to conceptualize Christ's kenotic self-sacrifice, framing both her own textual creation and the roles of Mary and Christ through a maternal lens. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The article aims to explore how Julian of Norwich relates pregnancy and childbirth to Christ's self-sacrifice and incarnation.

May 28, 2026

‘The Moderhede of Kynd Love’

Key Points

The article aims to explore how Julian of Norwich relates pregnancy and childbirth to Christ's self-sacrifice and incarnation.
Analyzes Julian of Norwich's discourses on pregnancy and childbirth
Compares Julian's revelations to a birthing process
Examines the roles of Mary and Christ in maternal contexts.
Julian’s experience informs her depictions of Christ’s self-sacrifice.
The text reveals connections between motherhood and Christ’s passion.
Mary is reinterpreted as a spiritual mother alongside Christ.

Abstract

This article investigates how Julian of Norwich deployed not only the discourses but also possibly direct or indirect experience of pregnancy and childbirth in order to understand and represent the kenotic self-sacrifice of Christ’s incarnation, passion, and death. Julian’s processing of her revelations and her text is also seen as akin to a birthing process. This essay additionally sheds new light not only on the role of Mary as mother of Christ and spiritual mother of humanity, but also on Christ Himself as mother.

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