what child is this?

I love the element of uncertainty.  After all, Mary knew, and Joseph knew, and Mary's cousin Elizabeth and her husband knew, and very shortly some shepherds would be informed... but by and large, Jesus was a mystery.  Jesus was a mystery, just like any child who is born into a world of uncertainty and promise.  We know in hindsight just how unique his identity and his journey will be, but the innkeeper and the guy who worked in the stable and the people on the streets of Bethlehem would have had no clue.  (And I'm guessing that hearing strange things from a bunch of disreputable shepherds wouldn't have done much to enlighten them.)

I wish you all a happy -- and mysterious -- Christmas.  Let's live in the promise of what is, and was, and is to come.