A Baby Changes Everything!

This final Advent blog was going to be about looking at doubt, the doubts we face and how maybe we could connect that to Mary’s experience. Although there will be brief mention about it in this reflection, my thoughts changed because of the line of a song. I guess my thoughts on doubt were put into perspective.


A baby changes everything! These words from the song of the same title on Faith Hill’s Christmas Album: Joy to the World  (video above) have been echoing through my mind over the past few days. I imagine a baby does change everything, well I in fact I know it does but from a different perspective. Being a male religious I will never know the gift of having my own child, but through the experiences of my siblings and dear friends I have seen how a baby does indeed change everything.


Pondering this change made me think of Mary and Joseph, this young couple, with their lives before them, preparing for marriage. I’m sure like young couples today, dreaming and hoping for a future that would be uniquely their own. So I’m sure when an angel appears to them (separately) they are a bit caught off guard, talk about change! Talk about a major change!


I also wonder if this change caused them to worry, to doubt, to ponder the “who, what, when, where and why’s” of their lives. I’m sure it did, it would have had too.

Who are we?   What about our lives?   When will this be?  

Where are we to raise him?   Why us?

Ordinary lives about to be transformed. Ordinary lives on the verge of uncertainty now faced with even more uncertainty. Ordinary lives trying to trust in God and being open to God at work in their lives. That is why I get Mary and Joseph. That is why I feel close to them and not just at this time of year, but all year. Their ordinary lives God sees and embraces and says I need you and your ordinary lives to do something great.


The amazing thing is that God sees that in each of us and calls us to the same, in our everyday ordinary lives. Greatness is not about being the best athlete, the top boss, the richest, the smartest, or the most powerful. Greatness comes in saying yes to our God, trusting in our God and allowing our ordinary lives to be transformed into the fullness that God sees in them. Greatness comes in raising families, in praying, in serving the community, in listening to a fellow sojourner, in celebrating moments, in acknowledging the greatness in neighbour, friend and stranger, in encouraging a child, in holding the hands of the elderly, in being open to the adventure of the day and giving thanks at the end of it. Greatness doesn’t matter where you live or your situation, it doesn’t matter if you are happy, depressed, mourning, or on top of the world, greatness comes in ordinary things. Think about it… Bethlehem, a manger stall, a simple couple from the poor working class… all ordinary, all transformed into greatness.


Christmas seems to be about that, being transformed, not just for a day or season, but continually, each day. Each day we are called to carry the Christ Child into our daily living, for this baby does indeed change everything. We encounter this baby being carried in the people of our day, in the relationship we have with him. I know how much he is changed my life and for that I am thankful.

So as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, let us remember…

A baby does indeed change everything, no matter who we are.

A baby named Jesus – Emmanuel – God with us – Prince of Peace.

A little child,

A shining star,

A stable rude,

the door ajar.

Yet in that place

so crude, forlorn,

the Hope of all

the world was born.

-Anonymous

May this last week of Advent be filled with hope and promise, may the Season of Christmas fill us all with the promise that our ordinary lives are great. May the gift of the Baby born that holy night to Mary and Joseph, for them, for you, for me, for everyone continue to inspire us in our journeys.

God gives us breath that we may sing.

God gives us all the earth that we may plant faithful gardens.

God gives us promise of His second coming that we may dance in the rain.

 -Anonymous



Over this week ahead and through the Christmas Season as we gather with family and friends please take the time to pray for those who don’t feel their life is great, those struggling with addictions, loneliness, heartbreak, for those family mourning the loss of loved ones (especially those killed recently in senseless acts), for those separated from family and friends and for our neighbors and communities. This is one small act in this Year of Mercy that is ordinary but transforms to greatness and change everything.

Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!