Christmas 2025
Some of us have become so tired of electronic greeting cards
that they have blocked their reception. E-cards
are invariably cute and, no doubt, most often well-intended. But their limited selection
may result in tedium after we view the same card more than twice. The other day, however, I received one that moved
me to watch it time and again.
The card shows a newly born lamb idling into an empty country
church on Christmas. The lamb frolics in
wonder as he senses the decorated pews. As
he comes to the manger in front of the altar, he notices the Christ-child
sleeping. The animal reposes next to the
manger as a beam of sunlight shines on the altar’s small cross. The presentation ends with a dove flying onto
the scene. The bird takes a sip from to the baptismal fount on the side before
perching herself on the manger of the sleeping child next to the lamb.
Is this just a sentimental Christmas greeting more
appropriate for children than for adults?
I don’t think so. It appears to
me more like a parable making a profound theological statement. The lamb does not come to adore the Christ
like the shepherds in Luke’s gospel. Nor
does he offer a gift for the infant Jesus like the drummer boy in the popular Christmas
song. The lamb lies besides Christ
because he is another Christ!
In the first chapter of John’s gospel John the Baptist points
out Jesus to his disciples. He tells them,
“Behold, the Lamb of God.” Jesus is the
lamb who will be slaughtered to atone for human sin. He will be baptized -- remember the dove
sipping water from the font – as an identification with humankind. Today he
comes in peace to allow the world to contemplate the Christ event in our lives. We should take the opportunity to thank Christ
for his coming among us. We also want to
ask his pardon for our pride and other sins.
Finally, we might pledge our love for him and for all those he died to
save.
