AdventSample

The birth of Jesus

Today I held two newly born lambs as the ewes kept their attention on my every move. As I returned the lambs to be nuzzled by their mothers, I watched the small white bundles with gangly legs and felt that sense of loving protection all mothers feel for their young.

I worked as a midwife for many years, and although I have never been present at a human birth in an animal barn, I almost had to help deliver a baby in a car park and have certainly heard some crazy birthing stories.

Although the Gospel accounts do not tell us that there was a midwife present at the birth of Jesus, there are some other historic writings about midwives that indicate that during this time, midwives went to wherever the mother was to support them in labour.

I can imagine what it might have been like to support young Joseph and Mary as Mary knowingly gave birth to the promised Messiah. A labour of love; a remarkably earthly beginning. We celebrate the gift of love to the world given through the everyday miracle of birth in the unexpected way God chose to partner with humanity in His salvation plan. Now, our part in the ongoing miracle is to share the good news of this love with others.

Written by KATH HENRY