Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday December 1, 2010

For many people now that Halloween is behind us, we can begin the celebration of THE Child, the emphasis being on what would be called the definite article thus meaning the Christ Child.

Civilized people have a strong affection for children and much of life is supposed to be conducted with their future in mind.

Henry Amiel wrote:

"Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness."

Read and then read again this quote. Its primary emphasis is on our readily observable fascination with newborn children. I often kid about someone asking if I have seen the pictures of their newest grandchildren and in my tenderness I answer, "No, and I deeply appreciate it." The remark is brushed aside as in their limited mind they believe no sane person could actually mean such a snide remark. The active word is sane, which state I have never claimed.

There is something near sacred about any fresh born child and the wonder of it is painted in the brightest of colors on the face of the adult beholder of the miracle. In all honesty I am overwhelmed with the protective adoration of a good family dog which in an act of grace assumes the watch care of the newborn.

Each time a newborn child is held in embraces of love, there is always hope, a hope that this child is one whom God will use to light our path while we journey through life. Could this be the child who will grow into a great scientist who will develop a miracle vaccine to banish Polio? Cancer? The list is as long as human suffering.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 9:6:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Every aspect of human hope is wrapped in the verbiage of this verse and it is wrapped in the body of a child, THE Child.

Most of my friends know that I love to get little arguments started, except with the Great Blonde. I often ask people if any great men or women were born in their hometown. Not matter the town, there is a plaque commemorating some such person. When the ensuing argument, due to my insistence that no great person was born there, reaches nuclear temperatures, I give away the old line from Carl Sandburg when he was asked the question about his home town. His answer was "Nope, just babies."

Every baby "brings down something of heaven;" Christ brought heaven with Him.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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