The Infants....

Every time I look at a newborn 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.

I was expecting my first baby 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. We celebrate this official date as the day the Thee Kings arrived at the stable to worship their King. Mary gave birth to her infant in exactly the 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 her first-born son, our Lord and Savior, 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 suffered to deliver him was worth it. I feel the same way. Everything I suffered was worth it.

Mary and I only have three things in common. We both love her son, Jesus. Mary was Mother to our Redeemer, the Messiah. I was Mother to a little red haired baby boy, named Mark. 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 at their birth.

Mary suffered as she cared for her dead son in the tomb. She did not understand that He would rise again. For three days, she wailed and sobbed thinking her son was lost to her forever. Then on the third day, she watched as He rose from death. I never had to suffer for three days thinking my son was lost to me forever. I knew from the moment of his death our separation was only temporary.

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.