A Good Word Wednesday #23 🎀

A baby changes everything

Good Word of the Day: Birth

I had two totally different childbirth experiences. One involved drugs (epidural) and a very, very long labor. The other, short and painful. No medications.

That being said, if I could tell the mother of Jesus anything, it might be “I feel your pain, Mary.” Literally. I mean, natural childbirth. I get it.” No, I can’t relate to all the giving birth in a stable far away from family. I was in a clean hospital with family nearby. No shepherds or angels visited me.

But I do understand the pain. And not just excruciating labor pains. (That was almost 34 years ago and I still remember.) But there is the pain of birthing a baby into a messed up, sinful world.

But oh the joy. I’ve experienced afresh the joy of babies with the births of each of my four grandchildren. I knew none of the pain of being a parent again, just the joy of being a Bebe. That’s what they call me. That’s another story.

The truth is — a baby changes everything. Truly. Your proprieties. Your schedule. Your taxes. Everything.

But this baby. This Christmas baby. This baby Jesus. Wow. What a change He has made and continues to make. Even now changing lives every day. In this messy, dark, planet Earth. And He still brings new life. New beginnings. And joy. I hope you are experiencing anew that joy this Christmas season.

I love how different cultures imagine the birth of Christ through nativity scenes. I’ve collected a few from around the world through the years and enjoy them. I have many. Twenty or more I think. The ones below are from Tanzania, Israel and Indonesia:

Do you have a favorite nativity set?

Wednesday in the Word

“And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:6-7

Good Words I Recommend

Good Music — These are some of my favorite Christmas songs with powerful, worship-filled words: Angels We Have Heard On High; Joy to the World; Go Tell It on the Mountain; Oh Holy Night. What is your favorite Christmas song?

Another Good Song — A Baby Changes Everything Faith Hill

What Good Words (Books, Music, Etc.) Do You Recommend This Christmas?

A Final Word

Next week, I will take a short break for some down time and be with my family. And be with Jesus. Just be. I hope you will do the same. But no worries, I will slip an email into your inbox next Wednesday but this time with a favorite blog from the archives of Stories for Global Good. I will have a new post for you on January 4, 2023. Another new year. New Year’s Day is my second favorite holiday. But more on that on the 4th. How do you plan to celebrate New Year’s Day?

I will also share a big announcement on the 4th. Stay tuned!

Thank you for reading each week. I’m honored. What a gift you are to me.

Until next time, Merry Christmas, and share a Good Word with someone today. Really. Just hit the button below and the free link shows up like a gift in someone’s inbox. Thank you for sharing.

Gratefully yours,