Today is the fourth post in the Spirit of Christmas series. My guest today is writer and poet, Joy Lenton. Joy is one of my Twitter and Facebook friends. Her words never fail to offer hope, even in the painful and desperate places. Joy is an encourager who is quick to support and share the words of other writers. May you find peace through Joy’s words as you read.
Nothing else quite stirs our deep protective and nurturing instincts more than a newborn baby.
Such sweet vulnerability resides within.
A simple grasp of tiny fist clinging to adult finger a reminder of how fragile this new life is.
And those feet. Adorable, perfect miniatures of our own. Yet in the months ahead limbs unfurl and grow strong to support a toddler’s frame.
As we bend to kiss a brow, wipe tears, give nourishment, witness growth and change before our eyes, do we ever think of Mary, mother of our Lord, as she lovingly tended to her son?
See Him as infant helpless.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..”
Hands that flung stars into space reduced to starfish-baby span ~ made calloused by carpentry, torn by sharp nails, pinioned to a cross of sorrow and shame.
A mouth that spoke creation into existence now made milky-soft, dependent ~ to become a voice of wisdom, instruction and healing for others.
Feet used to circling the world with silent steps ~ now made to tread weary over dusty pathways, carry a heavy cross and be impaled there for our sakes.
Arms reaching for a mother’s loving touch ~ outstretched in out-poured love and grace to save the world from itself.
“and the government will be on his shoulders”
Head wobbly, unsteady as babe in arms ~ bleeding, pierced through with crown of thorns.
Body swaddled tender close ~ hung on a cross, readied for burial, death and resurrection.
Entering our life to give His life for all.
Incarnate made infant.
Infinite rendered incapable.
Creator made creature.
Heavenly taking on humanity.
“And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of peace..”
In becoming human flesh, Jesus willingly chose to participate fully in our frail humanity.
Taking our weakness and fragile frame. Taking our vulnerability and pain. Taking our sin, sorrow, suffering and shame.
*****
The entrance of new life is a great cause for celebration. As a newly fledged grandma, I delight in the birth of our grandson. He has been paid attention to by family and friends, appeared on social media, been photographed, videoed and generally welcomed and fussed over lovingly ~ as is his right.
But it made me think about the babe at Bethlehem, Mary’s child.
He was born in virtual obscurity even though He is King of kings.
Delivered in humble circumstances, although His birth was prophesied, foretold hundreds of years beforehand, announced by an angel and heralded by an angelic choir.
“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom..”
Instead of being warmly welcomed by all around, Jesus was in danger for His very life as an earthly king sought to kill Him.
Gifts were given to Him that symbolised His life:gold for kingship, frankincense for His priestly role, and myrrh as an acknowledgement of His suffering and death to come.
When people look at the infant, do they see the Man of Sorrows to come?
Do they realise the huge significance of His coming to earth to die for them?
Sadly, not always.
“..establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and for ever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” ~ Isaiah 9:6-7
Few stop to see beyond the sweetness of a sleeping infant cradled in a manger.
He is the reason why we celebrate Christmas but the very person most people overlook and trample over in their haste to get to the shops and spend, spend, spend.
Yet He spent His life for us ~ for you and me.
******
As I celebrate Christmas this year, I will have the joy and delight of meeting my grandson in the flesh for the very first time. An event I anticipate with much excitement!
I will hold him close, stroke his soft skin, sigh over his cuteness, inhale the sweet fragrance of him.
I will pray over him, and maybe rejoice over him with singing as God does with us.
And my mind will stray to that first Christmas when Christ the Lord entered our earthly existence.
Gratitude will rise and I will thank Him for coming. For being Saviour, Lord and Friend. For His great gift of new life for all ~ now and into eternity.
My hope and prayer is that your eyes will see Him this way too.
Joy Lenton is a wife, mother, newly-fledged grandma and M.E sufferer. A lot of her days are spent in PJs penning poetry and prose. She loves connecting with people, reading, drinking coffee and eating dark chocolate. Before chronic illness scuppered her plans, she worked as a nurse. Joy has a heart to support and encourage others by sharing her faith and life experiences. She blogs at Words of Joy and Poetry Joy and would love to connect with you on Facebook or Twitter. And you should connect with her, seriously.
