On this day 48 years ago, two weeks before Christmas, son # 2 made his belated arrival. I love to remind him of the story--how big of a baby he was AND how big his head was. We come from a long line of big heads. When I see a baby with a normal sized head, I wonder if the mother realizes how much easier her birth story is than mine. NOT THAT I WOULD EVER COMPARE! There is just something about the feat of birthing big babies. BUT---it definitely leaves it marks (literally and figuratively). I am hugely proud of all three of the babies I birthed and, though I have forgotten many things, those stories are fresh as if they happened yesterday.
I wonder if Mary loved repeating her birthing story? It certainly was unusual to say the least. Though we have no idea the size of Jesus at birth, we do know all the circumstances and surrounding environment and visitors. We know all about the birth announcement, the gifts, the wonder, and even the animals paying homage. There is much we do not know. Was there anyone to help with the birthing process? How long was the couple allowed to stay in the manager? Was there anyone to help Mary with a new born baby? What was the weather like on that day long ago? So much, we do not know---but all of the most important things are recorded for the ages . Not only is it recorded, but it is retold--year after year. Many of the stories in The Word are not often repeated, but this one is repeated, retold, and even acted out over and over.
This is as it should be---after all how often has God come down to earth and taken on human form? How often has he physically lived among us? How often have we been able to see His image? It is a story of great wonder---a deep well of God's love---the beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus. The story bears retelling---the beginning of The Gospel story---Jesus was born--took his first earthly breath---began His walk toward The Cross. What a beautiful story---of God's endless love and grace--all beginning on a night of stars and wonders. My prayer is you once again---revisit the story--and remember.
"The Word became flesh
and made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory,
the glory of the one and only Son,
Who came from the Father,
full of grace and truth."
John 1:14