A Baby Changes Everything

It's two or three or four in the morning and I'm up for perhaps the third time. Her demanding wails come softly at first, then, if I'm not quite swift enough, with more intensity and panic. She wants to be held, cuddled, loved, soothed and fed, rocked and walked and tucked peacefully back into the crib. Her arms reach up for me expectantly and the wailing is replaced by a tiny, seven and a half toothed smile. We walk over to the worn, much loved blue rocking chair and draw up the quilt to fight off the chill. She begins to feed and her big blue eyes gently close, moonlight on her soft pink cheeks. As I sit and stroke the feathery soft baby hair I am filled with wonder and devotion to my sweet little girl. I ponder how much my life has changed in the last year. I remember weeks of anticipation and days of dreaming, wondering what she'd look like, who she'd become. I remember the fear, wondering if I was really ready to take charge of a sweet little one. I had no clue how hard it could be, how difficult the nights of crying and teething and sickness would be and how it wouldn't matter. How my heart would forever be softened and filled with joy because of this sweet little daughter of God, dreaming in my arms. And for a moment, if only for a moment, my mind is drawn to another little baby, another sweet little miracle born hundreds of years and thousands of miles ago in Bethlehem. I wonder how Mary must have felt as she held her son, hers, but not really hers, in her arms. I imagine it must have been difficult to comprehend the miracles He'd perform, the teachings He'd bless us with, and the final, ultimate sacrifice of her baby boy.
I watch the news and am filled with sadness and sorrow at the terrible shootings in Connecticut. My mind is filled with horror at the terror the victims must have felt, the pain of the families and surviving children, the empty stockings never again to be filled. I know that the grief of these families won't be lessened overnight, the answers will not satisfy, will never make up for the loss of these sweet children. But, because of the birth of Jesus Christ, his life and Atonement, and ultimately His victory over death and Resurrection, there will come a time where the pain is eased and replaced with peace. There will come a reunion, an understanding. A baby truly changes everything. Merry Christmas and may Heaven bless.