A Baby Changes Everything
This Christmas, we are seeing the story of the nativity from an entirely different perspective: as parents. What a difference! The words of a popular Christmas song "A Baby Changes Everything" pretty much sums up our lives at this point. For me, motherhood has brought nothing but sheer joy and an inner emotional expansion I never anticipated. I once heard someone compare becoming a parent to one of the final scenes of the classic Christmas film "The Grinch" which pictures the Grinch's heart growing 5X it's normal size. That is such an apt description of how I feel at this stage in my life. My heart feels 5X it's normal size, capable of more intense emotion than I ever dreamed possible.
Gazing into the face of my son is the most beautiful invitation to prayer I have ever experienced. I've been reflecting on Mary and her transition to motherhood. What a powerful feeling to look into the very face of God incarnate! I cannot wrap my mind around what Mary must have felt...how did she manage to relate the overwhelming protective love of a mother with the equally potent knowledge that this was her very Creator made flesh? As she raised him, did she marvel at her ability to soothe the baby cries and childhood hurts of the Healer? And later, when she witnessed his gruesome death on the cross, how did she survive the pain of gazing at the body of her son, the same flesh that she had birthed, nursed, bathed and clothed and that now lay before her utterly broken?
I can honestly say that for the first time in my life I am beginning to grasp the horror Mary must have experienced as she witnessed the death of Jesus. And what strength she must have possessed to raise him under the scrutiny of a tiny religious community that would have labeled him illegitimate. Did this make her fiercely protective? I have such a new, deep respect for Mary and the role she played. Becoming a mother myself has made Mary that much more human to me and I am enjoying exploring this different aspect of the Christmas story this year.
I've also marveled as I look at my baby, knowing that his lineage is also from the hometown of Jesus. It is such a wonder to look at his tiny features and relate them to the olive skinned, dark eyed people who populate the dusty villages of Israel/Palestine. What a treasure he is to me and what a blessing that he came into this world with such rich historical DNA! I am so excited to see how he grows within his two "worlds" West and East.
This year, I have never been more grateful for the enormous gift God gave humanity when He sent Jesus to earth. No matter what terrible things the news reports every night, I can look into the face of my infant son and know that there is a bright and glorious future in Jesus Christ. How blessed we are to serve a risen Lord!
And Mary said:
"My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1: 46 - 47)
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