The Messianic Babe
The Messianic Babe
BY KATHY PENROD
Have you ever stopped to wonder what that holy night was like? Have you thought about what it must have been like for Mary and Joseph? Inexperienced in this new phase of life they were about to enter? I remember when my first child was born. I had a lot of anxiety about how things would turn out. Both for the birth and the mothering thereafter. For me, I had a medical team, a clean, private room, and my family close by. Of course, my husband was there too; cheering me on. But what would it have been like if it were just me and my husband in a dingy, animal-filled stable?
My heart reaches out to Mary as she faced the birth of her first-born child. Did she understand at that time that her baby boy would sacrifice himself for all mankind? Did that make the birth bitter-sweet?
And what of Joseph? I imagine becoming a father is daunting. But to know you are raising the literal son of God in the flesh. Talk about an open adoption! Was he worried he would be under the constant scrutiny of Jesus’s real father?
Despite facing whatever anxieties they had, the son of God was born. Pure. Innocent. Into the loving arms of earthly parents.
I imagine that at that moment they snuggled close as a new little family, there was a great presence of quiet. I imagine that Mary and Joseph felt overwhelmingly humbled in knowing that they had been chosen for this task. I imagine that their faith in God and His plan was solidified. I imagine, that with the coming of the Savior of the world, there was a great, palpable peace.
Isn’t that what the Savior brings into our lives now, is peace? We may have worries and concerns but in moments of quiet reflection, we can feel peace. The peace that “passeth all understanding”. (Philippians 4:7)
As morning dawned, not only did the SUN arise and fill the world with light, but the SON also arose, bringing a more permanent and personal light into the world. His light reaches shadows we think of as too dark to see. His light warms our soul where there is coldness. His light carries the hope of better things to come. His light never ends and is always there for us.
This Christmas season, let us fiercely hang on to that hope, remembering from who it comes: that little Messianic babe, settled into the arms of His loving earthly parents.
