A Child Was Born...

Yes, a child was born… but not necessarily in a stable.  My oldest son and his beautiful wife birthed their second child this week, an adorable little girl.  Her skin is as soft as silk and her features are all miniature, yet perfect.  She is amazing to look at.  She opened her little mouth like a baby bird does for a gift from her mother.  Precious, adorable, and sacred all come to mind.  Lying in her mother’s arms, I saw her in complete comfort, knowing she would be cared for.  When daddy held her, his tall, lanky, gruff self melted as he curled himself around her, holding her as if she was made of the finest porcelain.  And yet, she is. 

She is curious and listens as voices change.  She opens her eyes wide and tries to see what and who are surrounding her.  She snuggles in immediately and seems to fully trust each of us.  I am amazed at the detail in each digit of her fingers and the wonderful patterns that have already been created on her scalp as fuzzy hair swirls and twirls around her precious little head. 

Such care God, our Creator takes as he forms each of us.  God chooses the style of our bodies, the color of our hair and eyes, the tone of our skin, and the length of our eyelashes.  By the way, hers are quite long.  God takes a bit of him and a bit of her and mixes them up with such precision that we can honestly say, “Oh yes, I see her mommy in her” and “My, my, she looks like her daddy” and both are true.  In the coming weeks and months, she will become closer and closer to all that God created her to be: a beautiful, adorable, beloved child of the One who is Love. 

All at the same time, there is such melancholy in the air.  We have talked and heard and prayed all week for parents who no longer have their child in their arms.  They brought home a similar baby as ours and ooh-ed and aah-ed over them, as well.  They wrapped them in their first bundle and snapped them into their car seat for the first time.  They made promises to God to love them fully and forever… and meant it, just as we do.  But then, without a blink of the eye, they were gone… at least from this place and our gaze.  Hearts were shattered and lives will never be the same.  So sad.  So distraught.  So empty. 

The very same week, we prepare to worship the One who creates them all.  The One who came in such a tiny, precious, and vulnerable state as our very own.  His mommy laid there with him in her arms, just as our daughters and granddaughters do today.  She looked full of life and yet exhausted, joyous and yet scared.  I’m sure she passed the Christ Child from arm to arm as visitors arrived, marveling at the sight in their midst.  Could Mary have made it through those early years if she had known her child would be taken from her?  Could she have shared him with anyone if she would have known it was some of her very own who took him away?  Or did she simply dream her dreams as we all dream ours?  Our children will grow and prosper and be a delight to many, as they grow into adulthood, making us proud, as we are the ones who one day will leave their side. 

For some it is that way.  For others it is not.  Our world is broken.  Our God is not.  A Savior was born. Just as Mary saw her son alive again, so will the mothers and fathers who lost theirs this week.  Just as Mary loved on her son every moment she was given, we will all do the same with our little Evena` Mae.  And one day, we too will stand before the Christ Child, only he’ll be all grown up… a delight to us all.  Hold your child tight tonight.  God intended it so.  A child was born…