A few years ago, someone informed me that when a salesperson said "Happy Holidays," it ruined his Christmas." I've never forgotten about it because it made me sad. Working in retail, I assume I've ruined a few Christmases by ending a sale with "have a nice holiday." But, that's not what still makes me sad.
Recently, our praise team shared the most
appropriate song for the Christmas season, "A Baby Changes Everything." Yes, he certainly does. Babies change our lives completely. They make our lives busier, and we wonder what we did before we did laundry all day. They give us more to worry about but also more to appreciate, love, and enjoy. If babies don't change us, we're missing something.
As much as we
like to think Christmas is slowly slipping away, we still see (positioned next to angels, Santa,
reindeer, snowmen, stockings and stars) Nativity scenes in our homes, yards, and stores I love them, have four in my home, but
this year I noticed something. Most have
Jesus sleeping in the manager. That's
good. He is here for all to see and
worship. His was a humble birth. But,
I saw the perfect Nativity at church.
Mary was holding Jesus. There's
no doubt she fell asleep feeding Him.
There's no doubt Joseph feel asleep holding Him, too.
Aren't babies amazing? Their sweet smell and soft
skin? Their warmth? They're also high maintenance; they cry and need to be fed
and changed. There's nothing like
waking up in the middle of the night or being interrupted during something
"important" by a crying baby. But,
THEY need US, right?
She is so warm but feels so nervous. I'll try to calm her down.
There, there, time to eat.
"Jesus loves me, this I know........"
I like the sound of her. I love it when she sings to herself. Jesus does love her. I hope she knows.
As soon as he's asleep, I'm going to send that e-mail.
She's relaxing a bit. I'll wiggle and get cozy. I love to rest on
her. I love her.
Maybe I'll stay here for awhile. I can worry right here.
zzzzzz
I'll fall asleep for a few minutes. I can spare about 5 minutes.
zzzzzzz
A few more minutes. Just to make sure he's asleep.
zzzzzzzz
I hope no one takes him off of my me.
zzzzzzzz
zzzzzzzz
Wait, who is that?
Come on little buddy. Mom feel
asleep. Let's put you back in your bed.
And
then someone peels him off. His sweet
head is wet, and he grunts and shakes with his hands held out.
And
how do we feel? Physically? Like someone pulled our blankets off, and it's cold. But it's the mind that's
important. We wake up to what consumed
us before we held him. But while we were holding him, our minds were at rest.
PEACE. And the smell of him is still on us.
Intimacy. Bonding.
That's what's stressed to establish a relationship with babies. Mothers,
fathers, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, friends. We all bond with our babies. That intimacy with a baby is usually one on one. Our intimacy with Christ is the most important part of Christmas, and by Christmas, I mean life.
What does this have to do with Christmas? What in the world does this have to do with Happy Holiday? Back to what makes me sad. I can't help but wonder if that someone
depends on everyone else to bring Christmas to his life. Does he need a Merry Christmas sign next to the Nativity set on the shelf above the dancing Santa? I hope not. We acknowledge the Baby that changes us, and that is Christmas.
"But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all your works." Psalm 78:23
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