A Baby in a Blanket

 "This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

Luke 2:12 The Message

Every one wants to know what to look for at Christmas. It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas and that was in October. It is hard to believe there is so much controversy over Christmas, even saying; "Merry Christmas". Retailers have no problem 'selling Christmas' just don't mention it is a religious holiday. This is not a defense of Christmas or the right to say, "Merry Christmas". But from a blanket and a baby we have come a long way.

We now have men in boxer shorts playing Jingle Bells and we are told in another advertisement not to miss the Holiday event of the year "Victoria's Secrets Fashion Show". Listen, Victoria no longer has any secrets.

I am not an old fuddy duddy but, seriously? I can hear John Lennon asking; "So this is Christmas..." 

The shepherds had it easy, no list, no advertisements, they simply were not looking for anything. The first Christmas came upon them unexpectedly. They did not have to spend months planning or thinking about what to do about their crazy Aunt and Uncle at the dinner party. They received the first Christmas party invitation and they were not to bring a thing. They were simply to look for a baby in a blanket. Would a baby be in anything else in their day and time but a blanket?  Too easy but it gets better. They are to find a baby in a blanket in a manger. They are shepherds and are more than familiar with stables and mangers - feeding troughs for live stock. This was not going to be a formal Christmas party, no dressing up, no gifts, just come as you are and expect the unexpected. Men in boxer shorts and Victoria Secrets fashion shows should be the unexpected but given our current climate of amusement it is quite to be expected. 

In the first Christmas God hid himself in a baby in a manger. It could not have been more simple nor more humbling. In our current take on Christmas nothing is hidden, the flesh is exposed and humanity is left naked and empty.

What are you looking for? If you really want to celebrate Christmas, you are looking for a baby in a blanket.