Reflection:
As a young dad, I had to learn the art of the nappy change. This was the one thing I felt could contribute to parenting. On one occasion, feeling overconfident in my fathering ability and with a deep desire to show my wife that I was ready to do more, I suggested that I take my daughter for a day.
My little princess and I were out driving through the countryside, listening to lullabies, and making our way to Grandma’s house. You read that right! As we drove along the road, my little one was making cute baby sounds in the back. Suddenly, there was a sound in the rear of the car, like the rumbling of thunder or a bubbling geyser in Iceland. The noise was immediately followed by the emergence of a smell, and funnily enough, the car immediately smelled like a geyser as well! I couldn’t breathe! I had no choice but to pull the little three-door car to the side of the road and climb into the back to change the nappy. I grabbed the packet of baby wipes, took a deep breath, and went deep into ground zero to begin the mission. I emerged, relatively unharmed and having managed to get my daughter into fresh clothes. She was back to making cute baby noises, and I could get back on the road to my mum’s place.
When I got to Grandma’s house, I was greeted at the door by the biggest smile; my mum, not excited to see me, but to see her little granddaughter looking and smelling perfect. Noticing that something wasn’t quite right, Mum looked at me, shaking her head in disbelief. Without realising it, in the chaos of the clean-up, I had somehow managed to get covered in a whole bunch of you-know-what. I didn’t realise at the time, but while I was cleaning up my little girl, her mess was getting all over me. There I was, looking at my beautiful princess. She was perfect. I, on the other hand, well, I was now the messy one.
The Apostle Paul uses a similar illustration to help us understand what is happening in the coming of the Christ Child. Bethlehem’s perfect little baby boy was entering into our messy lives. Then, in the great exchange, heaven’s perfect Son takes our place. This transaction leaves us clean, pure, perfect, and holy. Christ makes us completely righteous before God. Christmas doesn’t just signal the arrival of peace but of righteousness.
Prayer:
Dear God, as we turn our eyes to the baby in the manger this Christmas season, give us a glimpse into the holiness and glory of his perfection and remind us that this is now our identity, our calling, and the gift that you have given to us.