For The Baby

By: Katy Beedle Rice

A few years ago, during an Advent atrium, I was meditating on the birth of Jesus with five-year-old, John*. Together we read the words of the angel to the shepherds, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.”

“I wonder,” I asked John, “I wonder if this baby is for us too, just as he was for the shepherds and Joseph and Mary?”
“No,” he replied, “I think we are for the baby.”

For the past weeks in our atria we have been living with the words of the prophets, pondering how “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:1) with the youngest, and Isaiah’s image of wolves and lambs living in harmony (Isaiah11:6-9) with 12 year olds. These words have comforted and challenged us as we gathered to light the Advent wreath together.

And now, finally, all four candles on our Advent wreaths have been lit for hope, peace, joy, and love in preparation for the feast of Jesus’ birth, and also for our joyful anticipation of that time when “God will be all in all,” (1 Corinthians 15:28) and the light will completely overwhelm the darkness. As catechists, we know children are the ones who oftentimes teach us the most about this practice of living with joyful hope and, when we have ears to listen, they are the prophets in our midst, pointing the way to God.

Now, each year as Advent draws to a close, I remember John’s words. They invite me to ponder anew:

• How am I for this baby?
• How am I the gift to be offered him, even as I receive the gift of his birth anew in the celebration of Christmas?
• And in this new year how will I point to Jesus with the very joy of my life, in both the darkness and the light?

In thanksgiving for the prophets in our midst, we at CCTheo wish you and your families a blessed feast of the Nativity of Christ!

*pseudonym