To honor an unborn

The meaning of Christmas

Away in a manger a baby was born, for all the world. And, recently, a baby was buried. Swaddled in burial garb and mourned by the community. Children are sacred, precious, and vulnerable. From the moment of conception a mother and father begin to make choices--difficult ones, which will impact the course of all of their lives. Parents, humans, are moved to nurture their young- to be fiercely protective of their flesh and blood. And, when the baby fails to thrive, or dies while in the womb, the sense of powerlessness can be all too much to bear. For a friend and his unborn baby's mother, this Christmas is taking on a new light. This Christmas is going to be a time to honor the blessing of life and the miracle of birth. Although their beloved did not live, as with millions of other babies worldwide, they are considering this Christmas a chance to take part in a celebration of a birth in which everyone is invited to participate in. And, for once, as an adult, I get it.
I get wanting to believe in this little baby.
I get wanting to believe in the sacredness of life.
I get wanting to swaddle a baby in the warmest blanket one can find.
I get wanting to provide hope and joy to a community colored with despair and anxiety.

I get wanting to have a Silent Night.

And, I get, wanting to celebrate, needing to celebrate something bigger than our human condition.

My Christmas wish will be this year and every year the hope that women worldwide can have access to the medical care they need during pregnancy and after, and that babies can be delivered not in a manger but a proper hospital with clean instruments, and that transport to the hospital is improved from dusty bumpy roads to smooth ones and from mules to a vehicle.