Broken Baby Jesus Doll

Seventeen and a half years ago, we packed up a household of belongings and moved. As I organized boxes, I packed fragile items carefully to avoid breakage during the handling and transporting process. One of my childhood dolls, however, suffered a broken shoulder and detached arms during the transition. That Christmas, I decided to wrap that doll baby up in bands of fabric to be our Baby Jesus. Our broken Baby Jesus doll lay under the decorated tree indoors until Christmas morning when he was moved to the manger on our front porch. The broken Baby Jesus doll has become part of my yearly Christmas traditions since then.

Last week I started putting away the Christmas decorations, including the broken Baby Jesus doll. As I cradled the doll and took him indoors again, I reflected on the significance of his brokenness. Isaiah 53:5 reminds me that Jesus came to earth to be broken so I could be healed from my brokenness. “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (NIV) I have often found comfort in this verse, thankful that God has made a way for the wounds of my heart to be healed.

Luke 4 tells the story of Jesus as an adult in the synagogue, reading a prophesy of Himself from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19, NIV)

May this prophesy continue to come true in each of our lives as we bring our brokenness to the One Who was broken so we can be healed.

He (the Lord) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Psalm 147:3 (NIV)

written by Ethel Zook