what would it be like

Today I was asked, “what would it be like to hold the infant Jesus in your arms?  what would you say?”

What would I say?

Wow, what would I say?

I told them I tell him a story, a story of other infants I’ve cradled in the crook of my arm and looked down in wonder and awe.

I am convinced the Savoir of the world came in the form of an infant to remind us of the humble dependency we have on one another.  As I look into the eyes of an infant, they simply say, “here I am.”  A couple of weeks ago, we had a baptism in the chapel.  About 30 family members gathered to celebrate the sacrament.  After I had poured the water over his head, I asked the family to gather around, as we offered a blessing over the child.  We prayed and it was as if he knew he was the center of attention, and at the same moment, so dependant in my arms.  As the prayer finished and I looked down at the child, there he was, beaming from ear to ear, open to the wonder and joy of the moment.  The family stood quiet, looking on as he soaked in all the love that showered him.

But the baby I held today had been cradled by prostitutes and midwives, expecting moms and women without children of their own.  The baby was dark skinned, beautiful, and wrapped in a colorful blanket.  He had clearly been cradled by many and still there was a moment for just me.  A moment that brought a tear to my eyes.  A moment of utter amazement the Savior of the World would come packaged so small and so dependent on the world around him.  As he grew, I wonder what roads he may travel, what hearts may open, what opportunities would come his way to experience joy and wonder.I wondered why the world would betray him and how hard it would have been for the mother who loved him to watch the passion unfold before her eyes.

Still, my soul could not escape the baby I cradled in my arms.  Love did come down at Christmas.

Most of us are a long way off from the humble, dependant, anticipating ways of a child.  Perhaps instead of waiting for the world to change, for one to change their ways, perhaps we need a change of heart.  Perhaps we need to look fresh into the eyes of Christ, the babe in a manger, and ask God for a new way, that just might change our ways. Perhaps then we will remember again that same infant that was held in the arms of his mother is reaching his arms out to us.  Perhaps then, we will allow ourselves to be humble, dependent, and waiting for the babe to come again.