The humble estate of a boy in a manger

The Beckhams, the couple that a wax nativity scene was modeled on had a lavish baptism for their baby. In many respects, this is how a lot of people are. Baptisms have become in some ways a younger version of weddings. I remember after my daughter's, we went to a nice restaurant with family, and had cake. And I know we have that white dress somewhere.

What a different entry into the world Jesus had. It is almost as though the world did not want to make room for him. And I can't help but feel that Jesus was so accomodating to that feeling, that he came in the least intrusive way possible, in a stable with animals. How we've tried to make up for that since! We've built grand cathedrals, painted great pictures, and sung beautiful songs. Could we be less enthusiastic?

But that bright, cheery welcome mat was a bit late. He came humbly. He learned an honest trade, one that did not mark him as a king or a philosopher. And then he preached and healed from place to place, with no place to call his own. And then, for no good reason, we took him, nailed him to a tree, and tortured him to death, right in front of his mother and best friend.

But our good and gentle God not only endured all of this, he did something good with it. All the cruelty, all the rage, bitterness, cynicism, and distrust written on the human heart by years of inflicting suffering on each other focused in on that moment, bearing down on Jesus as though he were an ant under a magnifying glass in the scorching sun. And he took that hatred, and turned it into forgiveness. And not just any forgiveness - not forgiveness for doing this to him, but forgiveness for doing this to each other, to the world, to him. Forgiveness for everything.

God took our cruelty, cruelty that killed Jesus, and planted it like a seed. And Easter morning that seed took root, blossoming into new eternal life, given freely to all who seek it. This new age, an age of forgiveness is not one planted in the White House, in Parliament, at Buckingham Palace, or any Earthly throne. This age is ruled at the right hand of God Almighty.

Centuries earlier, when Moses asked God what his name was, he replied only "I AM," as if to swat aside any need to provide Moses with some narrowing identity. And here at an empty tomb, Jesus rose, and swatting aside the mortal identity of death and powerlessness, Jesus said with his ressurection not only "I AM", but "YOU ARE" to those of us willing to follow him.

No more death. No more despair. No more hatred. Those are the passing things of this world, and in him, we are already promised to and citizens of the next. This world has only the power over us that we let it. That is why the prisoners are set free, why the blind see, and why the dead rise again - because we are free! Gloriously so! If God can save the world through the life of an itinerant preacher-carpenter born in a manger, we can surely accept this freedom with the joy which it deserves.

So I can appreciate baptismal enthusiasm, even if I find the price tag hard to grasp. Like cathedrals and paintings, baptisms are simply the belatedly extended welcome mat to he who truly is the King of Glory! For it is with the angels we are now free to sing "Alleluia" and shine like a star in a Bethlehem sky.