Rambling Thoughts on the Christ Child

I was recently holding my sweet, little newborn baby while listening to these Chris Rice lyrics referring to the baby Jesus Christ:

Fragile fingers sent to heal us,
Tender brow prepared for thorn,
Tiny heart whose blood will save us,
Unto us is born.

Looking into the happy eyes of my baby, so unaware of all the evils in this fallen world, my heart was broken over the thought of the innocent Jesus, once a tiny baby himself, suffering so greatly for our sins. I held my little one closer. I wanted to hold baby Jesus and express my sorrow over the suffering I caused him.

But, what would it be like to hold the infant Jesus? What would it be like to look down at the sleeping child in your arms with a foreknowledge of his life, death and resurrection? How would it feel to hold the great I AM?

I never really thought very much of Jesus as a baby until I became a mother. Now I sometimes try to imagine things from Mary's perspective and wonder what Jesus was like as a newborn, a toddler, and so on. What was Mary's labor like? Did the newborn Jesus like to be nursed to sleep or rocked? What did the four-month-old Jesus find hilarious? Was the 12-month-old Jesus very eager to learn to walk, or was he more cautious? Did the 19-month-old Jesus love to dance? Which foods did the 2-year-old Jesus dislike? Which animal most fascinated the 3-year-old Jesus? What did the 5-year-old Jesus like to draw?

Isn't it fascinating, wondrous and miraculous that the God of the universe has breathed our air and walked our sod? Isn't it beyond our comprehension that he would humble himself so, coming into the world as a weak, fragile baby with poor hand-eye coordination and low visual acuity, dependent on a young woman to feed, clothe, bathe and hold him? What a stark contrast to the right hand of God! What an amazing Savior we have!

Tag, I'm It!

I've been tagged by Mrs. J!

Three things I am doing right now: nursing an infant, sipping my decaffeinated sweet tea, and wondering why God blessed me with the most beautiful baby in the whole, wide world

Three nicknames: Jen, Mommy, and Face

Three people that make me laugh: Eliana, Chris, and Summer

Three things on my floor: What do you mean? My floor is always spotless. (Don't hurt yourself laughing too hard over that.) Okay, really - a baby swing, an infant play gym, and a Boppy (Looks like that baby needs to start picking up after herself!)

Three things I can do: sing, sign (a little), and make a PB & J sandwich with a nursing babe in one arm and a phone against my shoulder while counting to ten with my toddler and reminding myself to pay the utility bill

Three things that I love: being pregnant, toothless grins, and hearing Eliana pray

Three people I'm tagging: Rebeka, Elizabeth, and Haley (because she hasn't done hers yet!)

The Bride of Christ

Last night I lay in bed thinking back to a dream I had a few years ago. In this dream, it was my wedding day, and I was getting ready. I don't recall Chris even existing in my dream. It was not him that I was preparing to meet and make a vow of matrimony to. It was Christ.

I remember feeling an overwhelming inadequacy, having been chosen by Christ to be His bride. I felt completely unworthy. I kept thinking to myself, "Why me? Why would He show such favor to me? I do not deserve this. I do not deserve Him." I felt humbled. I felt honored. I felt ecstatic joy.

Upon waking from this dream I was at peace, still experiencing those same feelings. It was such a beautiful dream, and I felt grateful for having had it. I had gained a new perspective as a part of the Bride of Christ. I felt great excitement looking forward to the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. I was elated.

It still gives me chills to think back on that dream. Last night was the first time I had thought about it in quite some time. I'm not quite sure what caused me to recall those details after such a long time, but I know I needed to remember it. That dream is a gift, a sort of love note from my Beloved.