A baby

Interesting article in the paper today: archaeologists in Nazareth have found the first house from the time period that Jesus was believed to have lived in the town (from approximately 6BC). They’ve found graves from that era previously, but not dwellings. Interesting that this is announced three days prior to Christmas! I wonder when it was actually found?

I love thinking that Jesus was a baby; a baby that cried (despite what the Christmas carols say!), woke up in the night, needed his nappy changed – was totally dependent on plain ordinary human beings for his care. God had to learn to smile, to roll over, to walk. God experienced the frustration of every infant trying to communicate with those around it. It has been really interesting watching my own daughter grow and reflecting that Jesus had to do exactly those same things. God was vulnerable. What if someone had dropped Jesus and he’d become brain damaged? Would he still have fulfilled his calling?

I have been listening to a recording of the lovely song Mary Did You Know?

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 kissed the face of God?

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?
And the sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am?