Where Babies Come From

Exploring Jesus’ birth through John’s gospel

12/24/2024

Jn 1:1-5, 9-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God. And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

Sooner or later all children ask, “Where do babies come from?” Have you ever tried to answer that question? Here’s a humorous answer. Little Johnny’s baby brother was screaming up a storm. I am sure they must have been in church. Johnny asked his mother, “Where did we get him?” His mother replied, “He came from heaven, Johnny.” Johnny answered: “Wow! I can see why they threw him out!”

You know, when I was a baby and my parents took me to church, I cried all the time. I tormented many poor priests in New Delhi India where I grew up. Now, when babies cry in church and I’m the priest, I figure this is God’s revenge. So, don’t complain when a baby cries in church, he might just grow up to become a priest.

In today’s gospel, St. John also answers “Where babies come from”, especially the Baby Jesus. In his Prologue, John writes some of the most sublime words in the entire Bible about Jesus’ origins: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

That is, the Baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem not because he was “thrown out of heaven,” but because he willingly left heaven to come and save us. Think about it this way: Jesus was born in heaven and came to earth, so that we who are born on earth can go to heaven. That is, like “the Word was with God” in heaven, so we, too, have hope of being “with God” in heaven, because that is where this Baby came from.

Now, we can consider where babies come from not only geographically (heaven or earth), but also biologically, that is, all babies are born from a certain mother and father, which tells us a lot about them. You know, when people see pictures of my father, they often comment, “Fr. John, you look so much like your dad!” Clearly my father is a very handsome man!

Now, Jesus the Son also reflects the same effulgence “eternal glory” as his heavenly Father, who’s a little more handsome than my dad. John writes: “And we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son.” Now get this. The great irony of John’s gospel is that Jesus’ divine glory is not on full display in his miracles, nor in his healings, nor in raising the dead, but rather on the Cross. Jesus’ greatest glory shines brightest in the moment of his utter disgrace and defeat.

The first half of John’s gospel, chapters 1-12, is usually called “The Book of Signs,” and is chocked full of Jesus’ mighty miracles. But the second half, chapters 13-21, is surprisingly called “The Book of Glory” where John recounts Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection. You see, John believes the most convincing evidence of Jesus’ divinity – where he most reflects the Father’s glory – is on the bloody Cross.

By the way, a lot of people love the TV series called “The Chosen.” Have you seen it? But you know I never get into these shows or movies about Jesus. Why not? Well, because I feel that there always is far more to Jesus that we cannot see – like his hidden glory – than what we can see on silver screen. Maybe that’s why Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago, before we could capture him on television or film and make him a movie star.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “Jesus is not a super star, he’s a super scar!” That is, we would learn more about Jesus reading the Bible, or even with our eyes closed in prayer, than watching movies and TV series. Why? Because only then would we glimpse how he possesses “the glory as of the Father’s only Son” the glory of the Cross, because that is where this Baby came from.

Now a third way to consider “where babies come from” is occupationally. What does that mean? Well, all children initially try their hand at their mother or father’s occupations. All kids want to grow up to be like mom or dad. For example, my father was an insurance agent, and my mother was a registered nurse.

And, in a spiritual sense, I followed in their footsteps. How so? Well, I am also an insurance agent, but if you buy my life insurance policy, then when you die you don’t get $500,000, you get eternal life. And like my mom, I heal people, not physically but spiritually through the sacraments of confession and anointing of the sick.

So, what was Jesus’ Father’s occupation? Well, God has no other job but to be a Father; He’s the original “stay at home Dad.” And the very definition of a father is to have children. Thus, St. John describes Jesus’ only “job” as begetting more children. The Prologue reads: “But to those who did accept him, he gave the power to become children of God.” In other words, Jesus came to earth to do one job: make more children by Baptism, because that is where this Baby came from.

Today, before you leave church, spend a few moments in front of the Nativity. Some families will take a Christmas picture, others will kneel and pray, others may enjoy the lights and the pastoral scene. But also prayerfully ask the question: “Where do babies come from?” And remember how John’s Prologue answers that question geographically, biologically, and occupationally. “Where babies come from” is no childish inquiry.

Praised be Jesus Christ!