
Our eyes meet again, and I sense her invitation to come sit by her and so I do. Mary’s eyes sparkle and shine with a sense of “See what I have?” She wants me to hold the baby and hands him to me. I am holding the infant Jesus! I am snuggling the baby close to me, sensing His newborn softness and smell!
Mary knows that I am shivering – with excitement rather than cold - and, with the softest of gestures, she places her mantle around me. We look at the baby together and absorb his little yet mighty presence. Then Mary lies down and closes her eyes to rest. I sense that she deeply trusts me with her child and is now able to rest. Next the quiet and awe of the stable comes into my awareness. Joseph is nearby; animals are throughout the stable, but all is very quiet. No animal sounds at all; it is like all of us are in silent awe at the newborn’s presence with us.
The invitation to all of us during this season of Christmas is to return to the stable again and again, to spend some time and stay in the stable.
SHARE THIS POST:
AUTHOR: PEG MCCLELLAN
I have lived all my life in the west side of Council Bluffs and have always been a member of one of the west side churches that have come together as Corpus Christi parish. Deacon Bob and I have been married 47 years, and God has walked closely with us throughout all these years. Our children, their spouses and our 8 grandchildren take up much of our focus, along with our various ministries and committees here at our parish.
|