Nuclear missile warnings. Hurricane watches. Monster waves and rising sea levels. Homeless tent cities everywhere. Caravans of refugees. Mass shootings. We can feel overwhelmed by so many threats. But when we feel we simply cannot take any more, let us hold the Baby Jesus in our arms. Let us look into his eyes and try to make him smile.
Sexual scandals galore in our beloved Church. #MeToo Movement. Betrayals of those we trusted. Wars in so many parts of the world. Dictators who cause their people to starve. Our tears of sorrow are overwhelming. But when we are sick of scourges and scandals, let us hold the Baby Jesus in our arms. Let us rock him and sing him a lullaby.
Domestic violence. Hidden hatreds. Contentious public discourse. Bullying in person and on-line. When we are overwhelmed by discord, let us hold the Baby Jesus in our arms. Let us kiss him and coo to him and press him close to our cheeks.
This may sound like the worst kind of escapism, turning away from the problems of the world to simply hold a little helpless Baby. But if we look into the eyes of this Baby, we will see one who would be crucified. If we rock him and sing him a lullaby, we will hear the song of his sacrificial victory over sin and death, the song of Alleluia. If we kiss him and coo to him and press him close to our cheeks, his bold and outgoing Spirit will rub off on us. We will realize that the God who enjoyed the perfect happiness of heaven came down to this sinful and sorrowful world, so that with the innocence of a child, he could lift it up and save it.
When we take time to contemplate the Baby Jesus, to draw close to him, and to love him, we no longer want to isolate ourselves from the problems of the world, but to embrace them as he did, to heal them with his love, and to transform them with his innocent presence. No one else can change the world’s sin to salvation or the world’s bitter ways to a journey of joy — only this little Baby. Embrace him! Kiss him! Love him! Because the more we do, the more he can embrace, kiss and love this world.
Christmas blessings to you all!