Have you ever really taken a second to put yourself in the place of Mary mother of Jesus when she was in labor and giving birth? I have experienced a home birth and in doing that I felt like I was much more aware of what took place when I was birthing my baby. In my previous hospital births I was on a bed on my back and things were hectic. When I was at home everything was slower and quiet and I was more mentally present. I realized more clearly how messy everything was and how much prep and work it took to keep things safe and okay. I was reading a book that talked about giving birth in a slum in Africa, how there is no clean water, no clean cloths to wrap the baby in, and that everyone is just scrambling to find something sharp to cut the cord.
When Mary gave birth to Jesus we know that Joseph was with her and that they were in place where animals were housed. It was filthy in there I imagine. There were no clean shavings like there are now. They had straw at best. I imagine it was more full of animals than it had ever been with so many people in town for the census that was taking place. The town was packed with people. Mary was young, it was her first baby and I doubt Joseph was well versed in child birth. I took some time to imagine the pain, panic, the scrambling to find a clean cloth to wrap the baby in, something sharp to cut the cord, Joseph not wanting to leave his wife but needing water to wash her, give her something to drink, needing warmth for the baby and I imagine there were some concerned and kind woman that helped as well. After the baby was born the safest place they could place him was in a manger. They certainly couldn't put him on the ground with the filth, rats and animals hooves. I just feel so overwhelmed thinking about it when I think about how I felt after giving birth. What an intense situation and yet the wonder in it all as well! The couple now brought so closely together by this birth and their journey. They must have been so relieved.
This year for some reason a bit more strongly than others the fact that God chose for his son to be born out of wedlock, to a young girl in a town where she had no family, for his son to be born in a stable with animals, really impacted me. His beginning was as humble as humanly possible. His first official visitors were shepherds from the hills who were thought of the lowest of the low at that time. They were a half step above untouchable lepers. They would have been filthy and overwhelmed and beautiful all at once.
I know the adoration I have felt with all my babies when I have first seen them earthside. As I cradle them in my arms I am overwhelmed. Imagine if you held a child whose coming had been prophesied about for years! Imagine if YOU had been chosen to parent him and now you had safely brought him into the world and held him in your arms.
There really is no earth shattering realization that I am going to share here that I came to ~ there was simply so much gratitude in my heart on so many levels this year. Gratitude that I grew up in a family that celebrated Christmas, that taught me to look around for those in need and to give, that I was able to adopt and then also have children and that I have a family, that I am never alone because that little baby did come to earth. His coming changed so much. I am just so thankful.
I hope that as this next year begins there are moments for you where your eyes are opened that much more to all the blessings around you and that your soul is flooded with thankfulness.
Love Tansy
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