Friday, December 20, 2013

A Baby Changes Everything


But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19  Ponder - think about before making a conclusion.

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?

I'm so busy.  I'll just feed him. Hopefully, he'll go right back to sleep, and I'll go right back to what I was doing.

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

This Christmas, and by Christmas, I mean life, I sincerely hope you draw near to Jesus.  I hope you find intimacy with Him because He  gives peace of mind.  A mind that still worries? Yes. But it will be a mind that knows He's always there. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy Life with the Baby that changes everything!

 Katy