Just before Thanksgiving, an expectant mom was
rubbing her tummy enjoying the feeling of her unborn little girl’s butt pushing
against her front. This joyful mom-to-be with a twinkle in her eye asked this
counselor, “What if the Christmas wise men were women?”
I pleaded ignorance and she was quick to tell me,
“They would have asked directions. They would have arrived on time,
helped with the birth — and would have brought practical gifts.”
I chuckled and suggested that the practical gifts
might be a carton of pampers, a baby rattle and a casserole. Much better,
I thought, than frankincense, myrrh and gold, --or a check for that poor
couple would be practical.
Another gift this expectant mom shared that would
be nice would be a sleeper and some onesies. I was stumped. What’s are onesies?
Expectant mothers know about onesies, but wise men are clueless. A onesie is a
one piece outfit for a baby that snaps at the crotch.
Let me share that what this mother wanted most
during her delivery was her husband at her side rubbing her arm. His touch of
reassurance during the delivery was the most important gift that he could
provide for his spouse. She wanted to be awake for the delivery and her female
doctor was the kind of compassionate physician whom she had great faith and
made her feel calm and comfortable.
The Christmas story has deeply rich meanings. It
contains a profound theological message. It is this. Jesus was fully human.
Some Christians blanch at the thought of Jesus in diapers, or Mary nursing her
baby at her breast, or giving birth through her vagina. They would like
to think that Jesus just popped out of the womb miraculously and never pooped
in his swaddling clothes. That’s heresy, of course, Jesus was completely
human — and so was his mother,
I like to focus on Mary’s story who has much to
teach us. After all she was an unmarried pregnant teenager. There are many
families who could relate to that. Then thirty-three years later the state
executed her son as a criminal. Too many poor and minority women have
experienced that inconsolable pain. Finally, tradition tells us she was a
widow — another model for many.
This mother’s insights about the wise women also
points to something extremely significant: more than two thousand years after
Jesus’ birth many Christian churches still have not allowed women their
rightful place at the altar. Just think of the tumult today in many churches
about ordaining women or allowing them in pulpits. It’s a shame because women
could help a pastor to be more efficient, compassionate and practical faith
community.
It’s not only women, however, who can learn from
Mary. We all can. She said, “yes” to uncertainty, to the
unknown, knowing full well what her family and neighbors would think of a young
girl pregnant and unmarried. And what would Joseph’s reaction be? The Jewish
law at the time could have had her stoned to death.
At times we all wonder what others think of us
and how they judge us. Most of us waste too much time and energy on
that. What others think of us is none of our business. Too often it keeps
us from saying, “yes” to what life and God is calling us to do – and nothing is
impossible with God.
God
watches over us as we pray: “May your mother and father rejoice, may she who
gave you birth be joyful.” (Proverbs 23:25).
Lord,
I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who are expecting a child soon. May this new
mother-to-be join Mary in rejoicing over her newborn child and keep all our
children healthy and safe from harm.
