They Wrapped Him in Purple and Laid Him in a Crown of Thorns

Mark 15:17-20

17. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

18. And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!

19. And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.

20. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright ‘round yon virgin, mother and child, holy infant so tender and mild.  Sleep in heavenly peace...

Christmastime is rich with images of Jesus as a tiny, cooing baby held gently in his mother's warm and loving embrace.  Mary and Joseph look down upon him with such tender affection and the shepherds and magi gaze upon him in smiling adoration.  This is the nativity scene celebrated all over the world.  This is what warms our hearts and inspires us, while the carols are sung and holiday goodies consumed, with goodwill toward our fellow men.

How often do we stop and think of that child tortured and nailed to a cross?  When we're hanging up the wreaths or opening the presents, or even putting the Christmas decorations away, do we consider this Jesus brutally stripped, mocked, whipped, spat upon and reviled?  I think there is a reason more people celebrate Christmas than Easter.  For, though the suffering of the grown-up Jesus leads to the glory of the Resurrection, none of us really want to dwell on the fact that true glory and divine bliss only comes through suffering.  We prefer the Christmastime imagery of God, humbly and graciously, giving Himself to us by becoming one of us... "God so loved the world that He gave us His Only Begotten Son...".  We prefer this gift that we didn't deserve, this gift that is not born out of misery and pain but, rather, out of God's great love... and out of loving surrender and simple faith.  Mary and Joseph had suffering and trials in order to bring this gratuitous gift into the world and keep him safe.  They risked their lives.  They were homeless and hunted.  The beauty of Christmas did not come easy or cheap.

Christ's Kingship is not one of luxury and decadent pleasure.  Our discipleship is born out of Mary's obedience and poverty in the stench of a stable... and our discipleship can only mature into ripe fullness through sacrifice, the pain and weakness suffered for Love.  If we celebrate Christmastime only and not the full Paschal Mystery, the birth, life, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ, then we have not real Love and our faith will wither and die in infancy.