When our first granddaughter was born, it brought back memories of becoming parents for the first time. The excitement and anticipation of her arrival (first by birth and then when she visits). It doesn’t take long for her to tire me out. It gets especially trying when she wakes up at night - cranky from a wet diaper, hungry for a bottle, or afraid of the dark. It can be a bit of a challenge figuring out just what she needs to calm down. But then there are those very special moments, the ones when she buries her face into my shoulder, when the sigh of contentment escapes her mouth, and when the deep and rhythmic breathing of her slumber begins once again. Still. And just as with my own children, I remember once again that without hesitation I would lay down my life to protect this beautiful child. And she didn’t do anything to earn this other than to be. Still.
Whether you are a birth, adoptive, grand, or God parent, we can all certainly “get” (understand) how Mary and Joseph must have felt in the days leading up to Jesus’ birth, and then on the night of his birth. After all they had been through with the strange news of his conception and the fear it must have caused Mary, Joseph, and their families. After the long and arduous physical journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem for the census during Mary’s final weeks of pregnancy. After the pains of labor, accompanied by no hope that shelter or a midwife would be found. Still.
Still, the birth of a new covenant had entered this world. The birth of hope for Salvation. The undying, never-ending love of His parents and all who traveled to lay gifts at the stable and lay eyes on such a wonder under the bright light of stars – one in particular that led them there. And just as that love for the child released in his parents the feelings that they would give their very lives for Him – for no reason, thus began the story – Still. – of a loving father who would sacrifice the life of his own son – for us – so that we would be saved – for no reason – but wait, there is a reason – Grace – that He loved us so much. Not for anything we did. Just because. Still.
