I Never Thought of It Like That

It was the usual mayhem of opened plastic totes, lids tossed aside and Christmas decor spilling onto the floor. A just decorated tree and mantel already changed the entire look of the room. Awash with color and lights, every inch announced the arrival of the season. Three little boys added intensity with high pitched squeals, sliding across the floor and vibrating sparkle.

I can’t wrap my mind around the incarnate Christ. I can’t articulate the fullness of God-Man or the first quivering breath of a baby Jesus. When I contemplate God born of a virgin, born with the velvet skin of a baby lying in a manger, I come up short with finite descriptions for infinite truth.

This year the wonder of Baby Jesus arrives with even greater breath catching contrast. It breaks into the gloom and fear of 2020 with hope and joy. It shouts victory over darkness and death.

“Grandma,” he shouted because his volume is set on mostly very loud.

I turned and came near to where he stood. A play nativity set with its cute little figurines scattered the floor. In his tiny closed palm he held something tenderly, like a child would hold a baby chick, protecting, sheltering, not squeezing too tightly.

“Grandma, I know what this is,” he whispered.

And then he opened his palm and in a little plastic manager of hay was the sculpted figure of Baby Jesus.

“What is it?” I asked.

Eyes big as saucers, mouth wide in awe, he leaned forward so his nose almost touched mine. Two words from a three-year-old defined an ever indescribable, immense, too magnificent, wonderful, beyond description, far above understanding, unreachable reality.

Baby God,” he said.

He looked down at the imitation treasure he held and then raised his eye to mine.

And from a store bought toy cradled through the pure imagination of a three-year-old, I rejoiced in priceless Christmas wonder.

 

*feature Photo by Leon Oblak on Unsplash

19 Replies

  1. J.D. Wininger Reply

    OMGoodness… dripping with sweetness this one is. Thank you for the much-needed blessing today.

  2. Don pahl Reply

    Absolutely amazing! Thanks for the simple reminder, Sylvia!

    • sylvia schroeder Reply

      It’s so funny how I can live soooooo long and have never heard Baby Jesus expressed in those terms before. Sort of stopped me short. Thanks for reading and commenting!

  3. Nancy Reply

    Baby God. It’s true, I have never thought of Him with those words. It opens my heart! Thanks, Syl

    • sylvia schroeder Reply

      Yes, it kind of did the same for me Nancy. Out of the mouths of babes, right? Thank you for reading and responding!

  4. linda k williamson Reply

    If we all could see the world through a
    childs eyes what a wonderful world it
    would be!!!

    • sylvia schroeder Reply

      Thanks Linda. At least on this occasion I so enjoyed seeing it through the eyes of my grandson! I appreciate you reading and commenting!

  5. Tony Benson Reply

    Tears are flowing …

    Thank you so much for sharing this thought from your grandson.

    • Sylvia Schroeder Reply

      Thank you Tony for reading and commenting. Kids do say the most enlightening things sometimes, don’t they?!

  6. Jeanne Doyon Reply

    Love the wonder of this!! Thanks for sharing this sweet reminder of His coming

    • Sylvia Schroeder Reply

      Thank you Jeanne. Jesus’ coming is such a wonder, isn’t it!

  7. Jeannie Waters Reply

    Sylvia, you have a way with words that presents biblical truth in simple, yet powerful ways. Thank you for this beautiful story.

    • Sylvia Schroeder Reply

      Thank you Jeannie. I’m so grateful for your comment as Biblical truth is so important to me. Appreciate you taking the time to read and respond!

  8. Marcella Schrag Reply

    Sylvia, So beautiful, so touching, so true. Thank you for blessing me again.

    • Sylvia Schroeder Reply

      Thank you Marcella! From the mouth of babes, right? I am honored you read the post and appreciate your comment so much!

  9. Katherine Pasour Reply

    What a beautiful moment! Our children/grandchildren are blessed with the ability to get right to the truth of the matter. Thank you for sharing.

  10. Linda Lou Brucato Reply

    Love it! “Out of the mouth of babes”. Makes sense that God would reveal Himself in ways that even children can see Him!

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