GOD’S ONLY begotten Son,
the Second Person in the Blessed Trinity, came to us once in time, born of a
woman, born as an infant, a baby lying in a manger. It has always fascinated me
to think and re-think why Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity,
decided to “enter this world” as a helpless, innocent, cute little baby.
Why did He not come as an
adult? As a grown-up man? Given that He came as a Saviour, a Redeemer… let’s
say “something” like a superhero, as we are accustomed to seeing in movies. Like
an Incredible Hulk, or a Spiderman. They come big, they come with full strength
and a lot of bang and pomp as they attempt to “do good to others and save
them.”
Speaking of adults,
superheroes like noisy introduction and blaring entrance… as they say, dramatic
entrance. So much so that they indeed call attention to themselves. Adult
superheroes cannot be silent, albeit, they do not like a silent and tranquil
entrance. They want it big, they want it great, they want grandeur, sometimes
to the point of being scary and terrible, if only to make that impression of
power so that the enemy, and those that are being “saved,” are themselves
surprised and overwhelmed.
Without the noise and the
pomposity/grandeur, they seem not to feel “super” and “heroes.” They seem not
to be powerful and able to save if they do not come with thunder, rumblings,
flashing of lightning, brilliant sparkling and almost blinding light, the scary
music and the impressive scenario. Aaah, we are so used to this “adult-antic”
that anyone who wishes to be great and seen as a someone “super” has to have a
very strong appearance, an explosive manifestation, a color and sound that
attract attention and impress awe and even fear!
Adult superheroes do not
tolerate silence. To be silent and meek for them is cotangent with being weak.
They do not win silently, they make a big, big noise to show that they are
victorious, or that they accomplish something great: fireworks display,
twinkling lights, loud and well-lit billboards, tarps, posters of all colours
and flags, buntings and loud speakers in festive music, glare and blare may
accompany the arrival or departure of someone considered a hero or a great
performer.
Jesus chose to be born as
a babe in Bethlehem, a quiet child in tranquility yet divinely graceful. No
fanfare and noise, not in bravado and vibrancy but in that sweet charm of a
silent baby, helpless seemingly even, an infant who “can’t even harm a fly…”
Why? Because he came not to inflict harm or hurt, nor to destroy, he simply
came to live like us but to save us in love and understanding. Babies indeed
come into this world helpless and silent. Oh yes, you might say they also cry
and make noise… but that is because, if I know right, only after the doctor has
slapped his bottom or given it a jolt and cleaning in the mouth, that it cries
in response to what was done to him.
Jesus came in the silence
of the night (that is what we mean by that age-old song in Christmas, “Stille
nacht”) with no intention to scar and impress, because he did not come to
inflict pain, to kill or harm anyone. He came simply because he was one with
His Father… who so loved the world, that he gave His Son to us (John 3:16). He
came to love and to save, not to condemn, not to judge, but to teach us the way
to love. He did not create any noise, but he moved hearts with his actions and
words, calmly. He did not come amidst shouting with an array of escorts and
cohorts of warriors, because His Kingdom is “not of this world” (John 18:36).
But... there was an attempt of fanfare on His birth… three wise men from the
East, who were in their full regalia bearing precious gifts, came to see him,
but when they saw Him, they fell silent on their knees and adored him and
offered him what they had (Matthew 2:11). The wise men were so overwhelmed by
the presence of a King and Saviour, in the humble and silent way of a babe in a
manger, that they too in silence adored him.
He came as a meek child
because he came to show compassion and mercy, not anger, rage or violence. He
did not come for bloodshed, but he came to shed his blood. Remember, this
silent baby grew into a calm and peaceful young man, fulfilling His mission to
save us, but again, not through show of strength, but by dying like a weak
individual, nailed to the cross. He kept to His word to be silent, as a lamb
being brought to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7), carrying His cross to His death
on Calvary. He kept silent, no fanfare, no show of anger, no swing of the sword
or great power to inflict harm… but silently walking, calmly and peacefully to
His death on the cross. Who were noisy and making loud cheering and jeering?
The adults who were surrounding him, crying for His blood, shouting in victory
and triumph over their kill, they were the ostentatious ones. The adults were
making jubilant, raucous noise over the death of the Peaceful, Silently Loving
God.
My Christmas will be
silent, not colourful, bereft of flamboyance and display, because Jesus is
reminding me of the reason He came… He came to be merciful, loving, and
compassionate. He came not to be angry with me, not to scold me, but to show me
the way to live and the way to Him. I will not be swayed by the loud noise and
the glee away from Him who is my reason to be and whom I wish to be with. I
shall walk with him as the WAY; I shall know and cherish Him as the TRUTH; and
I shall rejoice with Him as my LIFE. I shall follow him in His own silent but
determined and strong way. In my heart, He will be “born” again.
Merry Christmas, one and
all!
(I am ceding this space
for this beautiful Christmas reflection of E. G. Reyes.)
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