Awaiting Advent in a New Way

Angie says I'm sleeping for two now. I really appreciate her encouragement to nap more, and she may be onto something... Since this almost-four-pound wiggle worm rarely seems to sleep himself, I better sleep for him too.

As the squirming of the son we've yet to meet continues to increase, and we start to see my belly dance like a bowl full of jelly, I'm sometimes reminded of Santa this holiday season, but much more often I'm reminded of baby Jesus. And the one whose experience I am resonating with like never before is Mary. 

"I feel your heart beating

Inside my own skin

And I think of Mary

In Bethlehem" 

-Six Pence None the Richer, Last Christmas

I've heard people say that Christmas carols took on a whole new meaning when they became a Christian and started to actually hear the story in the lyrics. For me, the new awareness isn't of the shepherds, or the angels, or the wise men and their awe of the Baby God, but of Mary and her remarkable journey as He lived and grew inside her body.

How far did she really ride on that donkey at 9 months pregnant? I mean we're talking zero back support for days on a bouncy wobbly creature, when she could probably barely balance her new center of gravity on solid ground. And if she wasn't having contractions when she started that jarring ride, I suspect they were in full force by the time it came to an overdue end.

My dear traditional husband is not quite ready for us to try a home birth, so I can't imagine how he'd react to my suggesting a stable. However, at the rate I'm drinking gallons of milk these days, it might be nice to have a cow on hand. Also, as we're gathering lions and lambs to decorate our nursery, it sure would be lovely to have a real lamb or two to complete the collection. If a manger was good enough for the King of Kings, it's more than enough for our baby boy.

As Angie plays Mary Did You Know on repeat, the well known song has beautiful significance to me now.

"And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God"

"The sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am"

And although I can't relate to Mary holding heaven's perfect Lamb, other familiar song lyrics are more familiar than ever.

"Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum" 

-Little Drummer Boy 

"What child is this, who laid to rest

On Mary's lap is sleeping" 
-What Child is This

"And the first breath that left your lips

Did you know that it would change this world forever"  

-Relient K, I Celebrate the Day

Although, our new addition will not be the Savior of All, I can't help but sit in wonder at the truth that his first breath will change this world forever. And I can only pray that his impact on this earth will be a reflection of the love of the other Infant we're so eagerly awaiting this Christmas.

Whether you're expecting in the pregnant sense of the word, or anticipating the celebration of the birth of Christ in two days, I hope you are finding beauty, awe, and wonder in the little things; the song lyrics, the sparkling lights, the simple pleasures of generosity and family togetherness, and the story of the newborn Christ's miraculous entrance into the world.

Because For King and Country says it so well, 

"Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy"