Shauna Amick invites us to see the Christmas story through a more tender and unexpected lens. Her reflection reveals how Christ’s glory often shines brightest through vulnerability.
As you prepare the stable of your heart to receive our Lord and Saviour this Christmas, take a little journey with me. Walk past the barnyard animals, the shepherds, and even any angels standing by. Under Joseph’s watchful eye, approach the mother of God. When Mary presents our new-born King, do you see what I see? Do you see that Baby Jesus has Down syndrome?
The vision might startle you, but on a blustery winter night not too long ago, that is exactly how Jesus came to reveal himself.
It was tradition in my church that the youngest child in the congregation would be chosen for the part of Baby Jesus in that year’s nativity play. Twenty years ago, my daughter Sarah just happened to be the youngest child. She was six months old that Christmas. Based upon her age and her ability to sleep through just about anything, Sarah was the perfect choice to announce Christ’s arrival.
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Under different circumstances, I would have assumed Sarah’s role was guaranteed. But Sarah has Down syndrome, and I didn’t know how our pastor felt about someone with a disability representing Jesus.
Of all the Christmas plays I’ve seen up to and since that time, there’s never been a disabled child cast as Jesus. But on that silent night, I learned I had nothing to fear.
Our pastor approached me, asking if Sarah would take the starring role in our Christmas production
Our pastor approached me, asking if Sarah would take the starring role in our Christmas production. And my heart sang. “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” (Luke 1:46-48)
The first six months of Sarah’s life were riddled with disappointments, relentless medical complications, financial strains, condolences from friends, looks of disdain from strangers, unanswered questions, unanswered prayers. On days when shame threatened to wreck me, I’d pray: Show me your glory, Lord. Come into the mess of my life and reveal yourself in new and powerful ways…
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My pastor knew what the Bible says about people with disabilities. He knew that Sarah, like all of us, was made in the image of God, Down syndrome and all.
An extra chromosome didn’t negate the fact that Sarah has been fearfully and wonderfully made. And it certainly wasn’t going to prevent her from fulfilling the divine assignment placed on her life: showing the world the truth about Jesus.
On the night of his birth, Jesus chose to come into the mess of our lives.
On the night of his birth, Jesus chose to come into the mess of our lives. He revealed himself in a new and powerful way—as the most humble and the most vulnerable among us. By taking on human form, our Saviour invited the least of these to come to him for grace and mercy. And he did so not as a high-powered ruler, but as a lowly babe completely dependent upon others. The similarities between new-born Jesus and six-month-old Sarah were striking. God showed the world his glory in helplessness.
“God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
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On that holy night when the story of his birth was re-enacted once again, Christ’s power was put on display through the weakest member of our congregation. Without saying a word, Sarah reminded us that Jesus came down to earth for all of humanity, unveiling his splendour for those who have eyes to see. Jesus, being in very nature God, humbled himself, disabling his celestial might and pouring himself into baby flesh. Jesus came as the most vulnerable for the most vulnerable.
“The God who overflows the universe touched down on this chaotic, fragile, and noisy planet,” says Joni Eareckson Tada. “You can hear his delicate Christmas footsteps if you purpose to stop, look, listen, and be still.”
I held these supernatural revelations in my arms all those Christmases ago. And I still see Jesus when I look at Sarah today. She sparkles with wide-eyed wonder when she’s lighting our Advent wreath’s Christ Candle. Sarah’s non-verbal witness reminds everyone that our Saviour’s birth, his life, death, and resurrection, purchased freedom from the captivity of sin for everyone. This Christmas, stare deeply into the face of that new-born babe sleeping in Mary’s arms. See him with new eyes and believe.
Is discouragement keeping you from seeing all that God has to show you this season? What would it take for you to get fully engaged in adoring our Saviour and seeing his power shine through weakness? And what will you do to ensure that you don’t miss the signs of his presence in your life?
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