No Ordinary Child

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

 

Would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered, will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Will calm the storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby

You kiss the face of God

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap, the dumb will speak

The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy

Is heaven's perfect Lamb?

That sleeping child you're holding is the great, I Am

-Mark Lowry

Jesus was no ordinary child.  He was the Son of God.  How could a Son of God not be followed, not be accepted?  Many sought him, some being the most wise of the earth.  Some anticipated His coming with joy and looked for the signs.  He was the most kind, sinless being to walk the earth.....so how could he be so misunderstood?  Mary and Joseph were not accepted, they were turned away everywhere they went.  How could anyone turn away the tired, the hungry, the woman with child?  There was no room in the inn, there was no room in the hearts of man.  As this season has encroached upon us, I've been thinking a lot about this.  As the trials of the past year have weighed heavy on me, more and more keep coming and sometimes it gets disheartening.  Then I think of Jesus and how he was no ordinary child.  I think of how he must have felt facing constant rejection, ridicule, being misunderstood and the heartache he must have carried for his brothers and sisters.  He descended below all, so he knows.  Are my trials greater than him?  No, they are not.   

 Jesus was not accepted, but turned away because of things he said, because of how he lived, because many could not handle the truth, because he was born in a stable......... Yet he was the Savior of the world.  Not only was there no room for Him in the Inn, or in the hearts of many, but there was no room for truth or deviation from sin.  People often fear what they don't understand.  So, if people don't understand, why don't they ask or try to understand?  I've always thought that if you can't understand, then have compassion, if you can't have compassion, then simply be as civil as possible.  It's a simple thing to be kind and it hurts no one, not even you.  These thoughts have helped me recently.

At this time of year many seek light, seek hope, seek to follow the star that lead the wise to the humble abode where they found a young boy that held all hope, all miracles, all light for the world.  Jesus spoke truth, He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, provided abundantly when there was none, He raised the dead, He walked on water, He restored purity, hope, virtue and innocence.  He forgave, He lifted the downtrodden and He lead the way to a better life..........And He still does!  

I'm reminded of a Christmas story about believing: "The bell still rings for those who Believe."  Jesus
still works miracles in our lives if we have eyes to see.....if we believe.  I often spend much time thinking of how Santa is a type of Christ.  To me Santa is a symbol of hope, of light, of miracles, and is a suspension of reality where we believe in things that are unbelievable!  It's a time when we can travel back to childhood and believe in the unbelievable.  The story of Jesus is quite unbelievable, but it is real.  The story of Saint Nicholas is also real, although it's been embellished in fairy tale.  Did Mary know that so many would follow and pass the story of Jesus as a gift to so many?  Did Mary know of the many saints since Jesus who would live for Him and dedicate their lives to Him?

"Yes, there really is a Santa," is what my Dad would write on the cards we passed anonymously to friends and neighbors along with turkey or ham for their Christmas dinner.  One Christmas, my Father caused me to believe just that....."there really is a Santa!"  At that time in my life I enjoyed collecting dolls, Barbie dolls, porcelain dolls, etc.  I found a beautiful porcelain doll, it was the most beautiful doll I'd ever seen.  I decided I wanted to buy her, so I saved up all of my money.  The months passed, lots of them.  One summer day I went to the doll store, still lacking the full amount to purchase the doll, and found she was gone.  I was somewhat devastated, but not surprised, it had been 6 months or more since I started saving money.  Christmas was coming and it came fast as it often does.  On Christmas morning I was surprised, excited and grateful to find the beautiful doll under the tree wrapped neatly with a tag bearing my name and Santa's.  My dad had been the one that purchased the doll for me.  That year he really was Santa Claus.  That year he taught me a few of the important meanings of Christmas, generously and thoughtfully giving to others and the power we have to bring hope to others through kindness.  I had lost hope that I would ever see that doll again, but through his kindness and generosity I was indeed reunited with her. Kindness and generosity bring light and hope to our world.

Aren't we all Santa for someone?  Our kids, our neighbors, our friends, and even strangers.  The real Saint Nicholas was a dedicated worshiper of Christ.  He went about doing good unto all in the name of Jesus Christ during a time when the world needed light.  He even risked his life to do many good deeds.  He lived a Christlike life.  Just like Saint Nicholas was a servant of Christ, we too are the hands of Christ that can do good and bring light, His light to our darkened world. 

"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see." -Conductor, Polar Express

The Polar Express is a story about a boy who begins doubting Santa, hope, and believing in Christmas.  He embarks on a journey that teaches him many true principles, most importantly to believe.  He learns about friendship, patience, hope, and the spirit of Christmas.  At the North Pole he is chosen to receive the 1st gift of Christmas.   When he is far away from Santa and his view is blocked by the crowd, he realizes he can't hear the beautiful sound of the bells on the sleigh. Being perplexed and even nervous by this, he asks for a bell from the sleigh as his gift.  After he is given the bell, he regains his ability to hear it's sweet chime.  When he sees Santa and the beautiful hopeful belief of the other children, his belief is restored.  The story goes on to say that the sound of the bell never went silent for this boy after that.

"One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they're going.  What matters is deciding to get on." -Conductor, Polar Express

The tradition of Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, Chris Kringle, etc. teaches us about kindness, service, hope, and the sweetness of an innocent childlike ability to believe.  The story of the birth of the Savior of the world is at the heart of the Christmas spirit.  This time of year holds the opportunity for each of us to watch for the signs, see the star, and follow its light to the Savior.  This journey can restore our belief and our hope in Him.  Just as the bell's ring only sounded for those who Believed, so too is the reality Christ.  If we have eyes to see Him, ears to hear Him and believe in Him, then He in His glory and His miracles will manifest to us.  Let's not let Christ be silent in our lives, but hear Him every year especially at Christmas.

"This bell is a wonderful symbol of the spirit of Christmas-as am I.  Just remember, the true spirit of Christmas lies in your heart."- Santa Claus, The Polar Express

"At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them........Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe."  -Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express