For me and my family, Jesus (to coin a bit of a corny, yet appropriate, phrase) is the reason for the Season – it is when we celebrate and recognize the significance of Christ’s birth. I have thought a lot about this post, knowing it was coming up for my "J" – I felt very overwhelmed with the prospect of writing about something so important to me, and how deep a concept, in a few paragraphs, to an unknown audience in size, background, and belief. Superior skills at putting my thoughts into words and down on paper (or, a computer screen) are not among my strengths, unfortunately.
But I have decided to be simple – after all, Jesus’ arrival into the world was, in many ways, very simple. An ordinary couple, leading ordinary lives, giving birth alone in a cave used to house animals, because there was no room for them in the town, packed as it was due to the census. Jesus is the most important thing in my life – I can’t imagine going through my days without him by my side, to support, encourage, lead, and guide me, through good times and bad. My mom has shared childhood memories with me about her own mother sitting in their livingroom chair, talking to God about her life and her family as if he was right there sitting next to her. I don’t believe God sits in heaven looking down on us – I believe he’s sitting right there next to us. And, through Jesus, he came to live among us for a time. He knows what it is like to be human. He can understand first hand what we go through in our lives.
To me, he is such a great gift – the best there ever was, and ever will be. Unconditional love, for free, no matter what, forever and ever. And an entire season dedicated to his arrival, one that many around the world share, gives me such great joy. Picture the best person in your whole life – your wife, son, best friend, mother – then imagine thousands of people all over the world celebrating that person’s birthday. That’s what it feels like to me. What fun! I look so forward to sharing this with my son.
Now that I am a mother, and have gone through the birthing process myself, I wonder even more of what it was like for Mary to give birth to Jesus that night. I had doctors, nurses, aides, family, friends, medical supplies and equipment, food, water, a bathroom, and a clean dry bed at my fingertips. (Not to mention pain killers.) She had Joseph, a cave, a straw bed, and some animal onlookers. What was she thinking and feeling at the time? Was she afraid of something going wrong? Or was she too overjoyed at the arrival of her son to worry?
A few years ago this song came out, by Amy Grant:
I have traveled many moonless nights,
Cold and weary with a babe inside,
And I wonder what I’ve done.
Holy father you have come,
And chosen me now to carry your son.
I am waiting in a silent prayer.
I am frightened by the load I bear.
In a world as cold as stone,
Must I walk this path alone?
Be with me now.
Be with me now.
Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.
Do you wonder as you watch my face,
If a wiser one should have had my place,
But I offer all I am
For the mercy of your plan.
Help me be strong.
Help me be.
Help me.
Breath of heaven,
Hold me together,
Be forever near me,
Breath of heaven.
Breath of heaven,
Lighten my darkness,
Pour over me your holiness,
For you are holy.
Breath of heaven.