It was John the Baptist who referred to Jesus as the Lamb of God.  In John 1:29 John the Baptist proclaims “Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”  The very One whom the shepherds adored at the manger becomes the Passover Lamb who died on the cross on the same day that the Passover lambs were being slaughtered. 

How can we shift from the manger to the road to Jerusalem? the Garden of Gethsemane? the cross?  the empty tomb?  It demands our seeing in the birth that which Mary pondered in her heart, that this babe is the Son of God who will bring redemptive and restorative love to the whole world through his living and dying and rising from the grave. 

One of my favorite masterpieces at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston is a 12th century limestone sculpture of Madonna and Child.  While many 12th century Madonnas are frontal and austere, this sculpture, with its gently entwined figures, invites viewing from different angles.  Jesus right arm is encircled around Mary’s neck, while his left arm rests on her chest.  She holds Jesus' body in an embrace and they are gazing lovingly at each other.  But what makes this such a powerful sculpture is that Jesus is portrayed more as a man than as a baby.  Mary’s gaze encompasses his whole life and she exudes love for her child as well as the foreboding of the tragedy that is to follow when he is a grown man. 

May we, too, recognize in these February days, the baby who is also the Lamb of God.  And may we prepare our lives once again for the glorious dawn of Easter morn.