(Tim) Christmas has always been babies. It started with two babies in their mother's wombs, One with an eternal weight of glory and the other, recognizing that Glory, preparing His way by proclaiming His presence to the only one listening--His mother, Elizabeth.
Think of it! John the Baptist beginning to do the work of His calling when he was still in his mother's womb. What a man! What a child! A faithful prophet, he couldn't open his mouth and speak, so in his mother's womb he rolled and jumped and kicked and turned somersaults! His mother got the message...
If we've murdered our wee one through abortion; if we've spent our lives trying to obstruct or carefully control our womb's fruitfulness; if children are a lifestyle choice to us and pregnancy a necessary evil to get the two before we get sterilized; we're likely to miss this part of the glory and joy of Christmas--that God, deigning to live in His Own mother's womb, has forevermore glorified the fruitfulness of the womb and all the inconveniences and discomforts and smaller deaths necessary to bring life into this world.
But for those who love life and fruitfulness, there's nothing more beautiful than a baby at Christmas. Nothing. Not snow or Kings College Christmas carols or children around the Christmas tree, or even a wedding.
Pregnant mothers and unborn babies and childbirth are the high liturgy for this celebration. There's simply nothing more beautiful.
So, if you have been blessed by God with a new child in your womb this Christmastide--a child made by God in the Image of His Son, Who also dwelt in His mother's womb--think on it and rejoice!
God of God,
Light of Light,
Lo! He abhors not the virgin's womb...
