December 13 - from Theo

Some of the most amazing and unique spiritual events reflect universal ones. For example, while the First Vision was an uncommon lesson in the nature of God, and served to call Joseph to an uncommon role as prophet of the restoration, his earliest recollections focus on seeking and obtaining forgiveness, an assurance God cared for him.  Likewise, the Christmas story is a birth story--something understood by every mother (and in many ways, only every mother).

It's Theo's calendar day, and he had a marvelous birth story (including the support of a nearly telepathic midwife).  However, with Lyle being born close to Christmas, it's natural we think back to that time.  It was a long, exhausting labor--we were so grateful Lyle stayed strong while squeezed in the birth canal for two hours at the end.  Jill barely had strength left to push his (by then coneshaped) head out, and the speed at which the rest of his (slimy red) body emerged, surprised me.  For a new dad, it was all slightly bizarre, but the mom forgot all the pain as soon as she cradled her baby.  A couple days in the basement of a hospital and a couple weeks cocooned in our tiny apartment while feet of snow nearly brought Seattle to a standstill around us--it felt very different than the life we had just left.  And it was wonderful. Each of his fleeting, involuntary smiles left me elated.

It was also a lesson about Christmas.  Mary was by most accounts quite young; it was her first pregnancy and she had to travel during the most uncomfortable part. There would likely have been midwives to assist her (as Kershisnik depicts); there would probably be plenty of sweat and bodily fluids, along with everything else in the stable.  Christ was not a typical infant, but at this stage, the differences might have been small in comparison to the similarities.  The condescension of God was complete in the circumstances of his birth--he became like one of us.  

It reminds me of the respect in which I should hold each infant, and regard each birth.  Other babies are not to be worshipped, but each has a special work to perform. From events later in Christ's life, it's clear that despite the wonder of Christmas, Mary and Joseph forgot and took him for granted, at least occasionally.  Another birthday serves to remind me of the treasure God entrusted to me.  The gift of life to a small family that Christmas would offer eternal life to the human family; and I gain (and hopefully, demonstrate) appreciation in the circle of my own family, to extrapolate to others.