It was not until I encountered the word "incarnate," regarding Jesus, that I realized the Baby Jesus emphasis this time of year crowds out for the children the fact He was already God before the beginning, when He was incarnate, "born" in a manger.
I remembered then, as a youngster, adults who often said that Jesus was not always a Baby, reflecting this view that Jesus did not begin as a Baby.
I wonder how many young people endure this same mistaken impression, as I did when growing up looking for Santa Claus, only to discover he did not exist. Another case of the story is not true, only the meaning is true. It was all for the sake of the children. When I found this out, I felt that I had grown up and adopted the same adult pretensions.
