A Good Word Wednesday BIRTH 🎀

A baby changes everything

Hi! I have a good word for you today. In fact, it’s so good that I’m resharing it. This is Good Word #23. I’m taking some time to relax and enjoy the holidays. I hope you are doing the same in the coming week. I will be back with you on January 3rd in a new year with a new Good Word. I wish for you a peaceful, joyful Christmas and God’s blessings in the coming year.

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 (now five!) 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 priorities. 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. Oh the 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? Please share!

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? Please share!

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. Merry Christmas.

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,