Dec
16
2019
The Resemblance
Posted in Christmas 2 Comments
My daughter sent the text to all of us.
I stood there in the grocery store and giggled out loud.
I love getting updates about my granddaughters.
This one was so sweet and so innocent.
It had happened once before.
My daughter laughed about it later, but at the time she wasn’t so sure.
You never know what is going to come out of a child’s mouth.
Especially if that child is a toddler learning new words every day.
Did you ever think about how a child learns to talk?
They learn to talk by someone talking to them in conversation each day.
It always amazes me that learning the word, dog, becomes all encompassing so quickly.
Usually the new word is associated with a particular thing: that dog, that cat, that book.
So how can that dog become all dogs standing on four legs with a wagging tail?
How can that cat become all cats, or that book become all books?
Some generalization is taking place.
A four legged animal, that has a wagging tail and barks, is a dog.
Language is truly amazing.
The thought processes that happen in order to communicate is astounding.
Inferences are being made.
Generalizations are being made.
Why is this four legged animal a dog and that four legged animal a cat?
It is easy for us adults, but not so easy for a toddler learning a new words every day.
It is really astounding if you stop and think about it.
So much is going on in their little minds in order to communicate.
The day it happened the first time was one of those moments.
Christmas books are being read to my granddaughter.
Christmas decorations are everywhere.
It is inevitable that the man in the red suit would pop up in conversation.
Santa.
The focus of her Christmas is on the birth of Baby Jesus.
However, Santa is there, too, albeit in the background.
And this day, Santa was in the parking lot.
My daughter was putting groceries in the car.
My granddaughter was sitting in the shopping cart right next to her.
A heavy set man with a white beard was walking nearby.
Santa! My granddaughter exclaimed as she pointed.
My daughter was a bit embarrassed.
What if the man was insulted when her little girl called him Santa?
He was walking and never looked in their direction.
Maybe he didn’t hear her, my daughter thought.
But there was a second time.
This time, it was in the grocery store.
This time the man was right behind them.
This time there was no misunderstanding.
Santa! Santa! Santa! My granddaughter said to the man behind her.
A heavy set man with a long white beard stood there.
He smiled a weak smile but didn’t seem to mind.
There was no diverting her attention; there was no retreat, until they finished paying.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
(John 13:34,35)
Santa is known by his red suit and white beard.
My granddaughter made the generalization.
Santa in the books and the man in the grocery store were the same.
Santa!
What about Jesus?
What if we followed Jesus’ command to love one another as He loved us?
What if we took that seriously?
We would look just like Him.
Jesus!
That person looks like Jesus!
That person sounds like Jesus!
That person acts like Jesus!
What if someone said that about you or me?
How wonderful to have people see Jesus in us so clearly.
Little fingers would point.
The resemblance would be uncanny.
I want people to see Jesus in me.
I would welcome their pointing fingers.
I want them to see the resemblance.
I want to be known by His name.
This Christmas, is is not a debate between Santa and Jesus.
There is no contest!
However, if our focus is on Jesus as it should be, there will be no confusion.
The resemblance to Him will be uncanny.
I’ve been thinking a lot about resembling Jesus lately. Jesus was welcoming to children and those obvious sinners who we’re open to his message. But he was angry with hypocrites and those who use religion for the their own gain leading others astray. We tend to think acting like Jesus is just being kind and caring for the poor. It is that but more , It’s giving up our will to His. It’s interesting to think in practical terms what it means to do justice, love mercy , and walk himbly with our God.
Paula,
You are so right. We could spend days pondering what it means to resemble Jesus. As we grow in our faith and walk with Him each day, we become more like Him. Asking the Father to make us more like Jesus, is a prayer I am sure He loves to answer.
Gina