Jesus likewise shared in them,
that through death he might destroy the one
who has the power of death, that is, the Devil,
and free those who through fear of death
had been subject to slavery all their life.
When he speaks of children in this passage, Saint John is speaking of the Jewish people and not of the wee little people in our families. But, on this feast of “Little Christmas” it is fun to apply these words to children, remembering that Jesus was a child also. He shared “in blood and flesh.”
Ancient images of the child Jesus often depict him as a miniature adult, with the flat belly, strong chest and squared head of an adult. He seems fully prepared and able to save the world. Only in the second millennium, during the Renaissance with its humanism, did artists begin to use real babies as models for Jesus.
Today we wonder at how much the Incarnation demands of Jesus. Theologians discuss with bishops its implications. Did he know he was God? What did he know and when did he know it? At his baptism? During the Last Supper? On Calvary? Certainly with his Resurrection!
Perhaps most bishops and theologians would allow the Baby Jesus the slowly dawning recognition of self-awareness. No one remembers the day of his birth, perhaps Jesus could not notice it either. But he found himself in Mary’s arms and Joseph’s lap. And he loved to be with them.
Later he would find himself among the neighborhood children and at family gatherings. He would find himself in Joseph’s shop and in the Jewish synagogue. He would learn the language, history, songs, dances, rituals and scriptures of his Jewish people. He would love every moment of it. He would learn of their suffering – the destruction of Jerusalem, the Diaspora, and the persecutions. He would learn of their sin and repentance and of God’s everlasting covenant.
Of course he would also suffer the bumps, bruises and lacerations of any boy child and would have the scars to show for it. More importantly he would suffer disappointment, disillusionment and grief. Not everyone keeps their promises; not everyone’s word is reliable.
But through it all he would love the experience of being a human being. He would think it an enormous privilege to be the child of Mary and Joseph; to be a Galilean and a Jew; to work hard; make sacrifices and pay taxes. Though he would be tempted by power, knowledge and privilege he would recognize their treachery and refuse them. How he had come to such wisdom might not be immediately apparent. Much of it would have come from his parent’s guidance and instruction and the wisdom of his elders. Not for nothing had the Jews kept their faith since the day of Abraham. Perhaps Jesus’ divine nature shone through his mortal flesh only occasionally, as when he was showing off in the Temple at the age of twelve. His mother’s heart, which pondered these things, was surely a treasure chest of wisdom for him.
To be human, I suppose, means that Jesus grew “from grace to grace” until the full scope of his identity and mission appeared to him. Perhaps he only really understood it as he bore the cross to Calvary. There, in the total self-emptying of sacrifice and the relentless immolation of pain, he would know what it means to be God.
Theologians and bishops discuss the implications? Really? How about the many questions middle school students ask? Soon my seventh graders will be preparing posters and personal reflections on the Stations of the Cross, then the questions will arise again. Did Jesus know when he was being crucified that he would rise from the dead? Mrs. Tribbey doesn't really know. I too must wonder. Just today, eighth graders were wondering about the Paschal Candle and why does it have those red pins and what are the five wounds of Jesus about? He was pierced in his heart? Why? The questions of middle schoolers will throw you when you least expect them.
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