Lisa-Jo wrote a beautiful Advent series a while back called Pregnant with Christmas. Today’s post was the final part of that series.
The first time I give birth, I am afraid. I am in South Africa, home after a decade away, and afraid of the vast unknown of child birth.
The second time I give birth, I am more afraid. Because this time I know what lies ahead.
I realize that pregnancy, like marriage, is an act of courage and submission.
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Luke 1:38
For the joy set before him, he endured the cross. Hebrews 12:1
Every second-time mother knows the intimate joy of holding in her arms a being whose life is so new, so delicate, its skin is still translucent with heaven. She knows the smell of baby breath and the delicate warmth of a heart that is beating with all four chambers for the first time.
She knows.
But she also remembers.
She remembers the hard work of growing, carrying, and delivering that child into the world. She bears scars. And she needs to gird her courage around about her to do it again.
Jesus knew why he was coming. Birthed of a mother, he came to deliver us. He came to carry us in his sinless heart and birth us into his Father’s family. And he knew what the labor pains would feel like and what the delivery would cost him.
Death and life. Ask any pregnant mother and you will find her thoughts equally consumed by both. Birth is hard and messy work. It is intimate and exposed at the same time. And the God born in a barn ended his days executed like a common criminal. Bloody, messy journey. A thirty three year gestation period to deliver us into the hands of God the Father.
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you…Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.” John 17:6-12
He was born so that we might have life – and have it to the full.
I want to sing my thanks with the angels.
I want to run to kneel by his side with the shepherds.
I want to give him extravagant and exotic gifts.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14
Even though I know they’d be mere finger paintings, macaroni necklaces, mere doodles outside the lines to the King of the Cosmos. But I also know he’d treasure them.
Because I am his daughter. Carried, birthed, delivered.
And so are you.
I love that I am getting daily reminders that allow my focus to return to Him. My day carries me away but when my focus shifts back, I breathe a little easier. My world doesn’t change but my outlook does and my heart lifts even just a little.
“The WORD became flesh and dwelt among us”……. What a beautiful and inspiring article for this Christmas season. Thank you for making my day. Merry Christmas!
Thank you, so beautiful and true.
Beautiful. I have 6 children and it is scary every single time …
Beautiful post…I am pregnant with the joy of my Savior. I am so full of Him, it is amazing. It is something about this time of year, that we just refill that Jesus cup.
Oh, this post was just so very beautiful…a gift! Thank you!
Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for the poignant reminder of the labor Jesus endured to deliver me. Yes, embracing the joy of the season is appropriate. But remembering, appreciating, and worshiping our Savior who delivered us from sin, is even more important.
Lisa-Jo, the Holy Spirit, Our Father God, and even the baby Jesus will love this tribute that you have given to them… plus every mother heart will be filled with joy over these precious moments you’ve just re-birthed in our hearts.
this is absolutely incredible. so remarkable riveting and powerful. as a momma who has given birth, that fear is so familiar. that fear is so remarkably real.
thank you for these words, Lisa. <3
I do not leave a response, but after looking at through
some of the responses here Pregnant with Christmas: The Birthing.
I actually do have some questions for you if it’s allright.
Is it only me or does it seem like some of the responses come across like they are left by brain dead individuals?
😛 And, if you are writing on other sites, I would
like to follow everything new you have to post. Would you list of all of your shared pages
like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
No. The responses here are true and come from the heart. I. believe everyone has a right to their own opinions. It may be that you have never given birth, I don’t know, but don’t judge others responses!
Lisa-Jo
Love this post! Although I’m not a mother, I can truly appreciate your writing and the idea of birthing Christmas in our hearts.
My world can get busy and chaotic. Work can be stressful and make me lose sight of the joy, happiness and reason for the season. Trying to rebirth Christmas and remember that it is about the birth of my Savior–in a manger with animals–WOW!
Thanks for the reminder! God Bless and have a MERRY Christmas! 🙂