Babies Are Game Changers. The Christ Child Is No Exception!

Nativity - Christmas

When we think of Jesus coming into our world as a baby, we can easily be lulled into lovely, peaceful images of cuddly babies sleeping in heavenly peace. The truth is, babies are “game changers!” The dictionary defines a game changer as “an event, idea, or procedure that effects a significant shift in the current manner of doing or thinking about something.”

Having a baby is a game changer. You know this if you are a parent or know someone who has entered into parenthood. You no longer are in control of your own life: when you sleep, when you eat, when you relax, when you exercise, when you go shopping, when you visit friends, how you spend your money. From the moment a child enters into your life, you learn what it truly means to lay down your life—to set your own needs aside in favor of tending to the needs of another. It is a profound conversion and a rearranging of priorities.

Jesus entered our world as a baby. Our celebration of the Incarnation reminds us that the birth of Jesus is a game changer: his arrival signals the need for each of us to rearrange our priorities. Babies are cute, adorable, and their arrival brings great joy, and Baby Jesus is no exception. However, babies are game changers, and Jesus’ birth into our lives, which we celebrate at Christmas, is the biggest game changer of all!

May the birth of the Christ child bring about in each of our lives “a significant shift in the current manner of doing and thinking,” so as to better reflect the will of God.

I wish you a blessed and merry Christmas!

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

6 Comments

  1. Many thanks to all the contributors of Catechists’ Journey. Articles have been very helpful to my ministry. May God continue to bless you all. Best wishes for a very merry Christmas and a productive 2018.

    Sincerely,
    Angie
    Guyana South America

  2. Thank you for the insight and reflection on babies as game changers. Praying that the celebration of the coming of the Lord as a baby will change the hearts of many especially world leaders. Peace on earth! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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