Bullet-proof Baby

Overcoming our divisions at Christmas

Luke 2:8-14

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields and keeping the night watch over their flock. The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were struck with great fear. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

          Many years ago when I was a new pastor, I had to do a multi-million dollar construction project. (What else is new??) Without a clue where to begin, I traveled to Little Rock to seek advice from my mentor, Msgr. Gaston Hebert. And I’ll never forget what he told me. He said, “John, it’s really very simple. First, make sure the project is something the parish really needs. Second, make sure it’s something the parish can afford. And third, ask people to give as generously as they can.” And then he leaned over to me and almost whispered, “But here’s the secret. On all your marketing brochures, put as many pictures of the cutest kids and the most beautiful babies you can find in your church! No one can say ‘no’ to a beautiful baby or a chubby child.” You know, Hebert didn’t become a monsignor for no reason. I have never forgotten that advice, “No one can say ‘no’ to a beautiful baby.” Have you ever noticed how differently people act around a baby? Magically and mysteriously, a baby tugs at our heartstrings and alters our attitudes, and we become a little more child-like ourselves.

          In the gospel today we hear about another instance of employing the same marketing strategy: show the world a beautiful baby! The angel announces to the shepherds: “And this will be a sign for you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.” Why in the world would almighty God become a helpless little Baby? Because like Msgr. Hebert, God, too, knows that the best poster child for a project is precisely a “Child”! But God wasn’t looking for money for a building project; he was looking for living stones (that is, you and me) for the construction of his kingdom. And God knows nothing grabs our attention like a beautiful little baby. In the presence of a Baby – especially the Baby Jesus – hearts melt and hopes rise, and eternal kingdoms are created. Folks, this is basic “marketing 101” whether you’re in heaven or on earth: “no one can say ‘no’ to a beautiful baby.”

          Have you ever heard of the Christmas Truce of 1914? Believe it or not, this really happened. Here’s the way the History Channel described it: “Shortly after World War I began, along the western front, on Christmas Eve, 1914, German and British troops sang Christmas carols to each other across the lines. At the first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s land, calling out ‘Merry Christmas’ in their enemy’s native tongue. At first, the Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers.” The account continues: “The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum pudding and sang carols and songs. There was even an undocumented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer.” Now, what could make battled-hardened soldiers drop their weapons and sings songs and exchange presents? Only the thought of a beautiful Baby can, that is, the Christmas Baby named Jesus. You could say that this was a bullet-proof Baby! You see, the Christmas Truce of 1914 is a glorious glimpse of the grace of this Holy Day. The angel announced: “On earth peace – PEACE! – to those on whom his favor rests.”

          My friends, is there anyone with whom you need to call a “Christmas truce of 2015”? You know sometimes, we end up fighting a kind of trench warfare with others that’s every bit as belligerent and brutal as World War I. I don’t just mean the wars we fight against Al Qaida and the Taliban and ISIS, but also the battles that blaze in our own backyards and in the back of our hearts; with our kids in our kitchens, with our friends in our high schools, with co-workers in our offices, and yes even with Christians in our churches. You know, I love the Norman Rockwell paintings of funny and festive family gatherings during the holidays. But many people often think, “The only thing better than seeing family come, is seeing family go!” We can’t wait for family to leave, because sometimes, the hardest people to love are the people you live with. So, this Christmas Day, let me give you the same advice Msgr. Hebert gave me, and let me invite you to turn your eyes to a beautiful Baby, and let him melt your heart to love others again. You know, if German and British soldiers who were trying to kill each other, could drop their weapons and exchange presents of cigarettes and plum pudding for one day, couldn’t we put aside our wars and woes for one day and show a little compassion and care for those we fight with? Don’t worry, tomorrow (December 26) you can go back to killing each other.

          You see, a beautiful Baby is a powerful thing. It can help you raise millions of dollars. It can help you find living stones to construct a Kingdom. It can help you find peace in the middle of a war. And it can help heal your hurting heart. Here’s the best marketing strategy in the whole world: “no one can say ‘no’ to a beautiful baby.” What could a bullet-proof Baby do for you?

          Praised be Jesus Christ!