The atmosphere in the delivery room was intense. My daughter was, for the second time in her life, experiencing the pangs of childbirth. Chad-liars lips were pursed tight as the labor pains reached its peak, a few tears gently spilt over from her eyes and ran down her cheek. The doctor and his assistant had concern written across their faces. Her husband, supportive, encouraging, frightened, stood by her side. And I, her Mom, felt every pain she felt. We puffed together, we breathed together, and we pushed together. Looking at her swollen belly moving, filled me with awe, wonder, and fear recognizing that although birth was imminent there was also the possibility of something going wrong. And so we pushed, we prayed, we breathed, we puffed. And then it happened. The life that was conceived in secret, came into full being through the miracle of birth.
The doctor lifted little Sarah up by her feet and gently shook her, she was blue, and then she began to cry. There was an explosion of emotion, powerful enough to raise the roof of a house. Tears of joy, relief and total wonderment of the miracle flowed from all quarters. Hearts poured forth in praise and thanksgiving. The mission was completed.
There was nobody to help, encourage, or coach Mary while in labor in the stable, except for dear Joseph, filled with anxiety and fear, who was probably more accustomed to helping ewe's give birth rather than a woman, his wife. But unseen angels were there, guiding, encouraging, coaching Mary, guiding the precious head that once wore a golden crown, now moving through the birth canal. And then it happened—the life that was conceived in secret by the Holy Ghost came into full being through the miracle of birth. There was an explosion of joy in the City of God powerful enough not only to set Heaven ablaze, but to pour forth into our solar system and light up the very atmosphere that surrounds our earth. Songs of joy, praise, and thanksgiving flowed from all quarters of the Heavens and the earth as the angels welcomed His birth. The mission was completed.
Surrounding us every day are people, pregnant with the possibilities of new birth into the Kingdom of God. Are we ready to coach them through, push with them, puff with them, pray with them, breathe with them, until the miracle of new birth takes place and they are able to breathe on their own? Because of the miracle of the Greatest Birth that ever took place, you and I have life and have life more abundantly... I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10.
I have had the privilege of being with both my girls, Ruth and Chantal, during their deliveries and words are not adequate to describe the joy of this unique experience. But so much greater is the experience of heaven when a child of the King receives the miracle of new birth.
". . . there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." Luke 15:10.
The mission is being completed.
As the world remembers the birth of Jesus at this time, may you and I commit ourselves to being part of every new birth that the Holy Spirit brings into our sphere of life. May your hearts and homes be filled with the love of Jesus, and may the peace and joy of a new life shine as lights in this world.
