The Infants...

Every time I look at a new born baby I am amazed. The wonder of it all has never ceased to amaze me. I was a Labor and Delivery Nurse for many years. I never tired of the birth process. Although as a mother, I have gained great respect for the miracle.

My first baby was expected on December 28, 1968. I remember sitting and looking at the Christmas tree thinking, how in the world did Mary do this? How did she travel on a donkey to Bethlehem? I could hardly ride in a car comfortably.

Then I realized on January 6, 1969, Three Kings Day, how she did it. I became a Mother on this date, which is officially celebrated as the date the Thee Kings arrived to the stable to worship their King. Mary gave birth to her infant in exactly that same way I did. Although the time was different, the place different...... the birth process was the same.

I gave birth to my first born son in a hospital. I swaddled him in a clean white blanket. Mary gave birth to our Lord and Saviour, in a stable. She swaddled him in swaddling clothes. I am not comparing myself to the Mother of Jesus. I am simply comparing myself to another Mother who was delighted and happy with her newborn infant. Everything that she went through to deliver him was worth every pain. I feel the same way. Everything was worth it.

Mary was Mother to our Redeemer, the Messiah. I was Mother to a little red haired, baby boy, named Mark. Mary and I only have two things in common. We both gave birth to sons as our first born children. We both watched as our wonderful sons, died. We felt more pain at their death, than anything we ever suffered with their birth.

Mary gave birth to a son. She watched him die. I gave birth to a son. I watched him die. However, Mary suffered this pain of death, so that my sweet little boy may live again. Although, as she was caring for her son in the tomb, she did not understand that He would rise again. For three days, she suffered. Then on the third day, she watched as He rose from death.

Oh sweet Mary, I love you so. Thank you for riding on a donkey, for giving birth in a stable, and for crying at the cross of Jesus. For it is through your pain and through your Son, that my son will live again.