Realizing the Baby

Wednesday, December 9, 2009


Every year at Christmas when we were growing up, my sister and I set up our family nativity scene together. We argued out which figurine needed to stand where, spent hours figuring and refiguring the perfect set-up, complete some years with leftover pine needles, stuffing-snow, and Christmas lights.

I own it now, because I'm the oldest of our eight. Because Mom got a new nativity scene. Because I have a home and a family of my own now.

There's not so much drama over where to put things. I finally repaired the broken-winged angel with superglue, fixing my old clay-and-Elmer's patch job. I don't worry about things like pine needles or stuffing-snow. I simply put things where it makes sense for them to stand - no analysis needed.

When I set it up this year, Mary caught my attention. Mary, whose heart-pondering celebration of her Baby's birth left her kneeling before her Son, cradling God.

This year as I wait for my own baby boy to come during the Christmas season, I find myself kneeling quiet with her, pondering all the joy and sorrow and love and pain that must be with this new-life-coming. It is a soft-spoken celebration, a tender God-reminder of Immanuel, God with us, God with me...

As I weigh my own desire to clasp my new baby to my heart, I find Him stirring the same tenderness in my heart for Him, and I begin to understand how precious He is, how love for Him begins for me not at a Cross, but at a manger, where a mother once touched and smelled and kissed and caressed God-become-flesh for me.

I find this waiting time His gift to me, a reason to celebrate.

------------------------


This post also linked at Holy Experience for Walk With Him Wednesday.





(Image © Informal Moments Photography)

8 comments:

Lisa notes... said...

"I find this waiting time a gift to me"

I love that statement, and one I will ponder on today as I spend time waiting, waiting, on many different things. Blessings to you.

Cassandra Frear said...

So sweet to have a baby at Christmas time.

Maureen said...

A lovely meditation in this Advent season.

Deidra said...

I think as women we often feel a special connection at this time of year. My children are grown and gone, but I am still amazed by this teen-aged virgin who said to God, "May it be to me as you have said..."

S. Etole said...

"And she pondered them in her heart ..." the true mother's heart.

Danielle said...

Lovely ponderings. Your nativity is beautiful. I bought our own very first nativity and am very excited about it. I'll be posting pictures of it soon.

Michelle DeRusha said...

This is beautifully written, and your photograph of the nativity is lovely. I distinctly recall arguing with my sister over setting up with nativity scene with my mom when we were young, too -- your mention of that brought back many good memories (it was pretty good-natured arguing!).

Jessica Stock said...

How is it that I have just now found your wonderful blog? Lovely!

Post a Comment

Talk to me, if you like.