Loading clothes into the dryer, I suddenly heard Katherine screaming like
the world was coming to an end. As I
raced like a madwoman up the stairs, my first thought was, “Someone broke into
the house to take the presents and now they’re stealing the baby!” With screams
so ardent, I expected to find her fallen on the floor, at least.
Safe where I left her, I picked her up and found a clean, dry diaper. I bundled her in a blanket and held her close, but she didn’t ask to nurse. I rocked her by the light of the Christmas tree and whispered, “Mommy’s here. Mama’s here, Kaydee,” and she fell back to sleep within a minute.
I kept rocking, thinking of all the things I had left to do this Christmas Eve. I had already stripped, washed and re-made five beds, today – and pillows! I had finished wrapping and adding ribbons to presents for eight people. I had dressed up myself and the baby and had attended two Christmas Eve services, racing from one to the next on terrible roads in snowy, blowy weather. It was very, very late, but I had so much left to accomplish. Still, at this moment, I wanted nothing more than to gaze at cherub cheeks and pointy chin, perfect pouty lips and button nose. I wanted to hum “Away in a Manger” and inhale baby hair.
Safe where I left her, I picked her up and found a clean, dry diaper. I bundled her in a blanket and held her close, but she didn’t ask to nurse. I rocked her by the light of the Christmas tree and whispered, “Mommy’s here. Mama’s here, Kaydee,” and she fell back to sleep within a minute.
I kept rocking, thinking of all the things I had left to do this Christmas Eve. I had already stripped, washed and re-made five beds, today – and pillows! I had finished wrapping and adding ribbons to presents for eight people. I had dressed up myself and the baby and had attended two Christmas Eve services, racing from one to the next on terrible roads in snowy, blowy weather. It was very, very late, but I had so much left to accomplish. Still, at this moment, I wanted nothing more than to gaze at cherub cheeks and pointy chin, perfect pouty lips and button nose. I wanted to hum “Away in a Manger” and inhale baby hair.
The Christmas lights twinkled. My to-do list beckoned. I ignored them, all.
I wanted time to enjoy this tiny warm body that needed her Mama. I wanted my
arms to surround this little creature that cried with world-ending passion not
because of her busy schedule or the economy or that she didn’t get her way –
but because she needed her mother and her mother was elsewhere.
I noticed the clock - 12:04. “Merry Christmas!” I thought. I wonder if Mary had a lot of things she needed to get done, but wanted only to hold baby Jesus. Maybe, did she look at those curved pink ears, nuzzle that downy head and wonder, “Father God… WHAT THE HECK??” That first-time Mom had to be so overwhelmed by everything! I thought to myself, “I get to be a first-time Mom all over, again. Did Mary hold her little baby like I and cry out, ‘God, I have no idea what You’re up to! I didn’t even expect this pregnancy! What do You have in mind for my life – and this little child? How can we affect Your world? Teach me how I can serve Your plan for me.”
I put Kaydee back down in bed and she didn’t make a peep. I almost wished she would so I could pick her back up, again. Sleep in heavenly peace, my love. Sleep in heavenly peace.
I noticed the clock - 12:04. “Merry Christmas!” I thought. I wonder if Mary had a lot of things she needed to get done, but wanted only to hold baby Jesus. Maybe, did she look at those curved pink ears, nuzzle that downy head and wonder, “Father God… WHAT THE HECK??” That first-time Mom had to be so overwhelmed by everything! I thought to myself, “I get to be a first-time Mom all over, again. Did Mary hold her little baby like I and cry out, ‘God, I have no idea what You’re up to! I didn’t even expect this pregnancy! What do You have in mind for my life – and this little child? How can we affect Your world? Teach me how I can serve Your plan for me.”
I put Kaydee back down in bed and she didn’t make a peep. I almost wished she would so I could pick her back up, again. Sleep in heavenly peace, my love. Sleep in heavenly peace.
Pondering Points
Luke 2:16-19 16So they
hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the
manger. 17When they had
seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this
child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds
said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things
and pondered them in her heart
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