One day little Johnny went up to
his mother and asked 'Mummy, where did I
come from?'
His mother sighed and thought that it was probably time to explain the facts of
life. So she talked about how two people come together who love each other, and
the start of life in the womb, and how babies are born--the whole story. All
this time Johnny's eyes grew wider and wider.
When his mother had finished, there was a pause. Then Johnny said,
'That's amazing. It sure beats my friend Joey. He told me he comes from
Birmingham.'
Where do little children come
from? You may be thinking, “It’s no
wonder he has four kids if he doesn’t know that.” But this is the big question.
Who are we? Where are we from? Why are we here? Now, we know that we have here today four best children in the
world. And I think it’s probably these
kind of questions that have led us to want them to be baptised into the church,
into the family of faith.
Of course, when we start thinking
about Mary and the question about where little children come from it starts to
get a bit complicated. I’m not sure you
can get her fertility treatment on the NHS or privately. But Mary’s experience tells us a deeper
truth about who we are, and where we come from. How and why these four fantastic children are here with us today.
I think Mary must have had a bit of
a hard time explaining to Jesus where he had come from. She probably sat him down when he was about
six, and it probably went like this.
Jesus?
Yes, mum.
We need to have a little chat.
A chat? Have I done something wrong?
No, darling, that’s impossible.
What is it then?
It’s about your father.
My father?
Yes. You see, I have some wonderful news - Joseph isn’t your real father.
He isn’t?
No.
Well, who is it then? Does he have any other kids?
You could say that. Don’t panic darling. The real truth is that your father is a much better parent than I or Joseph could ever be.
He is?
Yes. He loves you far more than we ever could.
O mum, I don’t believe it.
It’s true. The thing is, we try our best, but there are times you know when we aren’t going to be enough for you. Your real dad on the other hand…
Where is he?
He’s with you, Jesus. He’s closer than you can know.
You mean…
I think you are getting the drift. I know he’s got plans for you as well, things I have only dreamt about. I can't guarantee that they will always mean an easy path. But I know that he wants to work some enormous good through your life.
You know, mum, a few things are
beginning to fall in to place.
I’ve been wanting to tell you for ages – I could see you working it out. It’s been a bit of a strain for me, trying to find the right words. I want you to know Jesus that while of course you will always be our son, you are your real father’s in a far greater way. I kind of feel I’ve got you on loan. The best thing I can do for you is to let you belong to him more than anything else.
You’ll still cook for me won’t you?
Yes of course. But I’m just trying to tell you where you have really come from, and who you really belong to. Now run along – we’ve got to get ready to visit Jerusalem. Who knows, we might call in on your father’s house while we are there.
Mary gave Jesus to God because she
knew that was where he came from. We
come from him, and children come from him, and that is why we are here.
One day a group of scientists got
together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So
they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.
The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no
longer need You. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many
miraculous things, so why don't You just go on and get lost."
God listened very patiently and kindly to the man and after the scientist was
through talking, God said, "Very well, how about this, let's say we have a
man-making contest?" To which the
scientist replied, "OK, great!" But God added, "Now, we're going
to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam." The scientist
said, "Sure, no problem," and bent down and grabbed a handful of
dirt. "No, no, no!" God said
as He looked at the scientist. "You go get your own dirt."
We thank God for the mystery of
love, of life, of resurrection beyond death which cannot be created in a
test-tube or in a random collision of atoms.
We thank God that these children have come from him. And today we thank God that the water of
baptism is thicker than the blood of family.
That like Mary we give our children into a family broader and wider and
deeper than all that we as parents can provide. Alyx, Anna, Josie, James and Daniel welcome to your family – your
ancestors are Abraham, David, Isaiah and Jonah. Your brother is Jesus.
Your family are a mixed bunch – all races, all shapes, all types. Heroines and unsung servants, seeming
successes and seeming failures. Many of
them are martyrs. But each of them have
been where you are, finding out they have the same father, finding out where
they come from.