A WITNESS OF JESUS THE CHRIST

Some five centuries before the Birth of the Blessed Babe Jesus which we commemorate on this day, Plato, that ancient philosopher, taught that since all change involves a body at rest being put into motion and must involve an actuator of that change; there must have been a prime principle actuator of change. He considered this first act of change to have been consummated by that soul he considered to be God. Two thousand years after the Birth of the Blessed Babe Jesus, scientists feel that if they can find the ultimate source of existence they will solve the mystery of existence of all things. This study has been labeled by some ‘String Theory’ and their work is an attempt to find the lowest form of existence. One branch of science feels that by colliding protons at near the speed of light they might be able to view what they are calling the God Particle or the foundation of all that exists.

While I find these approaches to finding what is behind all existence interesting, I believe that most of the time God becomes a reality in people’s lives in a much different way. For lack of a better way of expressing it, I have come to call this approach to a belief in Deity “the Law of Witnesses.”

In the following paragraphs, I will discuss some of the facets of this law which I believe influence the conversion and the strengthening of testimony of all who proclaim a belief in Jesus the Christ as the Savior and Redeemer of mankind.

There are those who lived in those wondrous meridian days whose hearts burned within because of the things they both saw and heard and whose witnesses were anciently recorded and preserved for all to read:

Mary and Joseph who were told by the angel Gabriel of Immanuel who would be born of Mary.

Elizabeth who had the embryotic John leap within her womb as a witness of the majesty of the child Mary bore.

Simeon who was at last able to depart mortality in peace because he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Shepard’s following angelic direction witnessed Him wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.

Wise men from the East who deciphered ancient signs and came to Jerusalem to proclaim the birth of a newborn King

I have often pondered on others who lived in those wondrous meridian days who likewise had confirming witnesses whose stories have been lost in the dust of the ages or who never took the time to record:

What of those who travelled in the caravan from Galilee to Bethlehem, did they not have their soul’s stirred in the presence of she who was choice above all women?

What of those who crowded the inn which housed the place of birth of the Savior of mankind, did they not feel the power which that day came to earth?

What did those who the family knew and dwelt among in Egypt see and of what marvels could they bear witness?

What would be the tales of those of Nazareth who saw him playing in the dusty streets and carrying wood and water for his Sainted Mother?

What were the words of those who were fed by the shores of the Galilee as they witnessed to their families and friends of the fishes and the loaves?

What of the masses who never lived in those wondrous times whose witnesses, even when recorded, will seldom be read by generations to come:

Whose hearts are stirred as hymns heralding His coming are sung by choirs in churches, halls and homes?

Whose heads are bowed as silent and vocal prayers of thanksgiving are said for the abundant love which came to earth when the Son of God was born?

Who when faint glimpses of times of then and there quickly cross their minds as a remembrance that they knew Him in another sphere?

Who find greater meaning in all the glitter and glitz of the holidays and each lighted storefront and Happy Holiday card helps them find a way for His light to touch their souls?

Who meet and greet their fellow sojourners in such a way that His light bears witness that they know the Blessed Babe Jesus is the Savior of the world?

All these things touch our spirits and manifest themselves in an undeniable physical reaction that makes it so that none of us can doubt that our hearts have had that Holy Witness burn within our souls.

Are we not left with a sacred commission to add our witness to those of the millenniums “That we also know that the Blessed Babe Jesus is indeed the promised Christ?”