Introduction Last year, “Unconventional” became Advent: preparing us for the radical entry of the divine into the human world, with brief thoughts on the four days leading up to Christmas. That seemed to resonate, so let’s explore one of the most haunting carols and give four answers to the question, “What Child is This?” Short posts to help you focus on one aspect of Jesus’ entry on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Here’s the first!
The carol opens with, “What Child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary's lap is sleeping?” An infant. Cradled in Mary’s arms. Feeding at her breast. Pooping in the days before Pampers. A human. Fully. To later be tempted, just like us (Hebrews 4:15). Emptied of his divine attributes, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:6-7).
Today, focus on the humanity of Jesus. His struggles. His temptations. The impact on emptying himself of divinity to become a frail human. His sacrifices. Try to identify with the human side of Jesus. That’s a vital part of breaking through the traditions and hoopla of the season to better understand Christmas.
Kick Starting the Application
The verses focusing on the humanity of Jesus followed a radical command, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus…”, then came the example of Jesus’ incarnation. So maybe you could give a gift this Christmas to a person you struggle with, yet who’s in your life. What can you do to benefit them, to look after their interests? Be Jesus to someone this year.