sons of God

It's not often that there's music during a homily, but last night we heard a couple of clips as the Deacon spoke about the coming of Emmanuel. We heard Michael Card sing about Joseph's doubt as he faced into his role as foster father of Jesus. It's called Joseph's Song:

How can a man be father to the Son of God
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king

He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again

What struck me about these words is the utter familiarity of them. What father or mother has not looked at the baby just birthed and not said, "Dear God, how can I raise this miracle so that the pure love I see here does not disappear?"

The prospect of parenthood is overwhelming in those early days (and not only then!). The real nature of the call that we all have is so clear and the baby's innocence is so apparent that the overwhelming responsibility seems almost too much to bear.

Joseph's song speaks of the Son of God, but we could sing the same words because we all are a son of God or a daughter of God. The words during the Baptismal rite of anointing pray that As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, so may you live always as a member of his body, sharing everlasting life.We all have a share in the kingship of Christ.

How can any of us raise a king? How can any of us raise a son of God? How can any of us raise a daughter of God?

Only by God's grace can we be the parents we want to be when that little one is placed into our arms at birth. We see pure, accepting love and we want to be pure, giving love in return.

Too soon, though, our own needs - legitimate needs - come to the fore and the love the child must learn is how to function as a member of a family in which others must be considered. Adapting to these needs prepares a child to live in the wider world where there will be a demand for his or her time, gifts and resources. This is Love's cycle: the child as gift becomes a gift to others.

All of us grownups are sons and daughters of God, too. May we look at each other as we honor Christmas this season and remember that the King dwells within us! Together, let us usher in the Kingdom.