Like a lot of other Christian families, my mother has a tradition of leaving the creche empty until Christmas night, when the figure of the baby Jesus is laid in the manger. When we get back from midnight Mass on Christmas night, somehow Mom always makes sure that the baby Jesus miraculously “appears” in the stable before the rest of us even have our coats off or think to look in the manger.
Nowadays, even though there aren’t many kids in the house anymore to find her out, my mother is still secretive about it, and brings baby Jesus out of hiding on Christmas night. And even though I am no longer a child, it’s still just as exciting to see that little figure appear.
This tradition perfectly reflects the reality of Advent and the meaning of Christmas. The Word of God has been “in hiding” — hidden from us in any tangible way — and after centuries of watching, waiting, and longing, we are finally given this promised gift. This perfect child. This Messiah. God breathes the Word into our world and the Prince of Peace suddenly appears, as if from nowhere, a little child in a manger.
There is a beautiful song that I love to listen to during this time of the year called Welcome to our World.[1] The lyrics to this song really capture the unfolding mystery of Christmas and make it much more real.
“Bring Your peace into our violence, Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven’s silence, Welcome to our world.”
The Father, in His infinite wisdom, did not send us a militant, conquering hero, someone who would be easily recognized as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He sends a little helpless baby, born to a nobody carpenter and his wife; a baby delivered in a shelter only fit for beasts and laid in a feeding trough; a baby completely dependent on his mother, just like every other baby. But this innocent little baby is not what he seems.
“Fragile finger sent to heal us, Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us, Unto us is born.”
God sends us our very own “diamond in the rough.” One so breathtaking that were He shining in all His glory, our human eyes would not be able to meet His divine gaze. In the dark of night, Heaven’s diamond comes to us, becomes rough, like us, so we can look God in the eye without being blinded, so we can approach Him without fear, so we can meet Him, face to face, every barrier shattered by our Infant Lord.
“So wrap our injured flesh around You, Breathe our air and walk our sod,
Rob our sin and make us holy, Perfect Son of God, Welcome to our world.”
God wraps Himself in our injured flesh; the Creator becomes the created. Not simply to be close to us, but to be one of us. To breathe the air we breathe. To walk where we walk. To rob our sin and make us holy so that we can live with Him forever. Out of love for us, our God bends down and says, “Let it be so,” sending His only beloved Son first into the womb of a virgin, then into the heart of the world, and finally, into the belly of the earth. All for love of you … all for love of me.
“Hope that you don’t mind our manger, How I wish we would have known,
But long-awaited Holy Stranger, Make Yourself at home.”
This God, this King, who loves each of us more than we could ever imagine, wants to make Himself at home in our world, in our lives, in our hearts. This Christmas, let us give Him the welcome He deserves. Let us open our hearts to His presence, allowing Him full entry so that He can bring us the peace we so long for. This Christmas, like every Christmas before, Christ is knocking: will there be room at your inn?
“You’ve been promised, we’ve been waiting,
Welcome Holy Child, Welcome Holy Child.”
[1] All lyrics are from the song, Welcome to Our World, by Chris Rice, © 1997
Listen to the full song here.
