The excitement of children

For the past week, since her 5^th birthday, Lily has been counting the number of “sleeps” until Christmas.   Last year she knew about Christmas, but not about the excitement of Christmas.  It’s been really amusing, and an opportunity for me to reflect.  As I watched Lily’s excitement grow each day, I realized it was because she would be getting presents more than the excitement that we should all feel at the impending birth of a Savior.   I am attributing this attitude to her maturity.  I am sure that from this year on, she will grow in knowledge and understanding of Christ.

 

What I really reflected on though was the actual excitement of a 5 year old child.  When Jesus was 5 years old, did He feel this child-like excitement about His role as our Savior?  Was He as excited about being born among His creation as we are excited about it?  I’m talking about His human nature here, not His divine nature.  Obviously, His love for us can’t be matched, but I often like to think about what Jesus might have felt and thought as He “grew in wisdom and stature”.  (Luke 2:52)

One thing I appreciate during the Christmas Season is the traditions that we keep.  One in particular that we’ve kept since our girls were small (which is close to 30 years now!) is attending the children’s Mass at St. Luke’s parish.  The children present the same production of the Nativity story every year.  One year, Alicia played the part of Mary and was able to hold the “newborn Jesus” while the Gospel of Luke was read.  Another year, Sarah played the part of the angel who appeared to the shepherds in the field and told them of the Good News of Jesus’ birth.  The Infant Jesus is always “played” by a real newborn of the parish and his presentation to “Mary” by an “angel” always elicits an “OOOOOOhhhhh” from some in the congregation.

 But for me, this simple re-enactment brings tears to my eyes because the presence of that little baby really brings home the grace of God becoming man. Despite the hardship and the pain, there is such joy at any birth. The act of God becoming man in a humble, all-too-human way can give us all hope in the rebirth of goodwill and peace. We are people who have walked in darkness and now have seen a great light. We can sing a new song, be glad and rejoice. The grace of God is here to help us learn to live temperately, justly and devoutly in this age. We should take this story and the good news of great joy into our hearts and let the joy and peace flourish. We should be thankful for this great light. We should keep the light burning brightly in our hearts and in our lives.  We should hold this simple story in our hearts throughout the year.