CHRISTMASTIDE: Day 3 Baby, baby

The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I have some very good news for you- news that will make everyone happy. Today YOUR Savior was born in Davids town. He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 ERV

But the angel reassured them, saying “Don’t be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for EVERYONE, everywhere. For today in Bethlehem a Rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord, the Messiah. Luke 2:10-11 TPT

“What do we do?”

My husband looked at me with intense eagerness. I’m not sure if he felt I knew the answer to his question but was just hopeful because I was the only other person in the room. I looked at him with an exasperated look in my eye, one that spoke – “Your guess is as good as mine.” We were sunk. We had, what felt like, the biggest challenge of our lives right in from of us, and neither of us knew what to do. Our sweet little first born was just days old. She was such a good baby, AND cried. A lot. I struggle when parents describe their baby as ” Good” if their child doesn’t give them any trouble – take regular naps, sleep through the night the second they are home from the hospital, latch on to breastfeeding right away… You know. You’ve heard it. So our baby was good – AND left us with numerous questions we felt so very unqualified to answer. It felt hard, impossible at times, to our 27 and 28 year old selves.

Years later, the popular comedy, The Office, depicted our situation with a realness with which most new parents connect. Jim and Pam are leaving the hospital with their first baby questioning why in the world the staff is letting them go. Don’t they realize they too did not have the answers to the questions of all the unknowns that come with parenting? As the exited the hospital doors they looked around as if waiting to be arrested for leaving under false pretenses. Who did they think they were taking a baby into the world with no experience? Get back in there until you’re ready! All parents know that if they did – they would never leave.

Babies. They change everything.

Everything.

They change the times you sleep and eat. They change your social life, your travel plans, your checking account. They change the TV shows you watch. They can change the trajectory of your professional life. It is almost hard for me to imagine a life before Tom and I became parents – life feels so different.

I was reminded of the impact of these changes on Christmas morning during out church service. I was sitting behind an adorable baby – being passed between her mother and her grandmothers. They were attempting to keep her happy during the hour long worship service. She was CUTE and a bit distracting – ( in a good way.) These 3 adults that had enjoyed quietly sitting in church before baby – now had one goal – keep this little person happy. It was all hands on deck. Babies – they change everything – and everyone around them. These sweet little creatures – they reveal a love we didn’t know we had. They demand attention to the details of their lives and every one of their needs. They impress on us the importance of learning, listening and understanding – all. the. time. 24-7. No down time. No days off. No sick leave.

So… doesn’t it make so much sense that the One who would Change everything for our good, who would flip the worlds idea of hope, joy, peace and love, would come… as a baby? From the moment Jesus was conceived – he was changing peoples lives. Starting with his teenage mother Mary, to his earthly father Jospeh, to the shepherds, the wiseman, King Herod – changed. Unlike the unknowns that come with human births – His birth left us with an answer, the answer. The solution to biggest question we all face – this problem of sin and separation from our Father. Our Savior – taking the form of a helpless little baby – became the period to our question mark. We now walk through this world of struggle with a peace that comes with knowing. In our day to day, trying to figure it all out, life, we rest in the hope that started with ….

a baby.

the baby. The Christ child…

And for this – I rejoice.