Religion in Daily Life

© By the Rev. Edward Chinn, D.Min.

Sunday, 15 December 2002

http://www.allsaintstorresdale.org

A certain king dreamed about a huge pair of scales held in the hand of Justice. The scales reached from earth to sky. On one side of the scales was piled gold, jewels, houses, and lands-symbols of material power. This side of the scale touched the earth. On the other side of the scales was a bed of straw. A woman came with a baby in her arms. She put the baby in the bed of straw. Immediately, the scales moved until the side with the baby outweighed the side loaded with the material. Babies can always tip the scales and outweigh the material.

Babies can tip the scales for new adventures. A young couple took their three-month old baby to the movies. The usher warned them, “If the baby cries, you’ll have to leave. Of course, we’ll give you your money back.” The couple entered the darkened theater and watched the movie for about a half hour. Then, the husband turned to the wife and asked, “How do you like the show?” The wife replied, “It’s rotten.” The husband agreed, saying, “I think so, too. Pinch the baby.” Babies introduced us to new experiences, new emotions, and a new understanding of God’s careful respect for human freedom.

Babies can tip the scales for new hopes. In 1941, a New York pastor, H. E. Fosdick, wrote about the battles of 1809. Napoleon dominated the world scene. Until 1814, Napoleon’s victories made constant news. People felt hopeless and afraid. The forces of death seemed so strong. Unnoticed by the world, the forces of life were at work, too. In 1809, when Europe shook with the battles of Napoleon, babies were being born, babies that would tip the scales of history with new hopes. Among those babies of 1809 were Abraham Lincoln, Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Darwin, William Gladstone, Oliver Wendell Holmes and Alfred Tennyson.

Babies can tip the scales for a new era. The baby whose birth we celebrate at Christmas tipped the scales and led to the division of Western history into B.C.-Before Christ-and A.D.-The Year of the Lord. Remember the great works of music composed to celebrate his life. Recall the hospitals and universities around the world and in Philadelphia that have been erected by his followers. Think how the leaven of his influence has led to the abolition of slavery, the emancipation of women, and the continuing struggle for human rights. At the center of Christmas are the words: “You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).

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