Luke 1:35 (NRSV)
Mary lived with Jesus for nine months before the world ever had the chance. Even Joseph, as all fathers must, had to wait to witness his son. It would be family and friends who first congratulated or "oohed" and "aahed" at this little baby. AND, perhaps no one, save Mary and Joseph, had a clue that this little one was not a mere mortal, but had the title "Son of God" because he was Immanuel, God with Us.
So, what do you do with a little new born? The scriptures give us little to know. It says they "swaddled him in cloths and laid him in a manger" after he was newly born. Yes, it makes sense that that little babies are cleaned up and then wrapped up to both keep them warm and to give them a similar sense of being in their mother's womb. What do you do with a little new born?
Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the hospital where one of my three new-born grandchildren is staying. His mother was smiling, relief from nine months of holding this growing boy. His father was smiling, relief from waiting, wondering, not being to do much to help the physical weariness of his wife who carried this new boy in her womb. You can tell by the look on their faces they love this little boy - even as they love their first born.
I don't know all they did or said, but I know what I did. My second grandson had a special place for 7 hours before a new granddaughter and new grandson were also born on the other side of the ocean in Bristol, England. I haven't had the opportunity to hold my new born granddaughter and grandson in England, but I did see some pictures and a video. I long to hold them, even as I had the opportunity to hold my new grandson.
What do you say to a new born? I held him close to me and told him "I love you". I told him how special he was...not special in the sense that he is above my other grandchildren...but special in that God gave him to his mom and dad, and therefore to me, to love, to tell him how "beloved" of God he is, of how I will always love him no matter what, and that I will always choose to be there for him whenever it's needed.
What do you say to new borns? I don't know what you do, but that's what I do. I do so, because it is what God does to each of us...to me. He reminds me in his closeness how special I am. That I am "his beloved" and that no matter what he will be there for me, and that I will never stop being his beloved.
It's a rare privilege to remind ourselves and others that we are "beloved" of God. It seemed like such a good time to be reminded.
I can't wait to hold my grandson and granddaughter in England and tell them the same!
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