rvaYM

The other thing I struggle with is wanting her to not experience pain. For her life to be full of love, full of excitement, full of peace.

And then I think back on my life. I remember highs and lows. And I remember that summer night in ’88.

I recall that night every Christmas when I pull this package out with the rest of my Christmas ornaments.

Out of this tattered, twenty-year-old envelope, I pull out a well-worn Ziploc bag, a folded piece of paper and a silver bear ornament.

On August 10, 1988, my family’s house was struck by lightning. I watched from across the street as firefighters rolled up and started at work, putting out the fire. When all was said and done that night, fire, smoke and water had wreaked havoc on our house.

Over the next few months, little miracles would happen. This envelope is one of those bright lights.

The Christmas after I was born, this bear ornament adorned our tree and would forever mark my first Christmas. But after the fire, it was covered in soot and tarnished, almost beyond recognition.

Enter Burke’s Jewelers. After they worked their magic, this envelope came back in the mail.

Dear Dawn,

Looks a little better, huh? The back would not polish up without taking off a lot of metal but the front side cleaned up pretty good.

Hope things will be back to normal for all of you very soon. There is no charge for this.

Fred

Each Christmas, with music playing and the tree sitting in the middle of the living room floor, I open the envelope. I read Fred’s letter, and I pull the shining bear from the bag and hang it on the tree.

Some years, the sight of the envelope or the words of the letter bring a tear to my eye [even writing this does]. Other years, it makes me sit back and think about how God provided for our family through that experience.

And when it comes down to it, what I really want is for baby girl to turn to God in those hard moments of life. They’re going to come, and I hope she learns from each and every one of them and grows stronger.

And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. -Luke 2:52

I want the best for baby girl.

When she goes to school, I want her to get the best education she can have. I want her to have fun, and experience the fullness of life. The list goes on and on of what I want for baby girl.

What did Joseph want for his son? What about Mary?

When I think about her future, I imagine her…walking down the halls at church, first day of school, her friends.

I worry about the bad things she’ll encounter in the world. The hurt. The pain. My shortcomings.

When it really comes down to it, I want her to grow strong, grow tall and grow in favor with God. I hope she will always realize that God is all she truly needs.

I wonder if Joseph and Mary really understood how devoted Jesus would be to His Heavenly Father, even from such a young age. I wonder if they ever dreamed about what his life would be like when he grew up.

[to be continued...]

They opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. -Matthew 2:11

Three times in the last few months, Kim enjoyed great parties. Each one honored her, blessed our baby and helped us get ready for her arrival.

I thought we were in good shape after the first party. After two more, I was amazed!

Being part of one party, it was a lot of fun to see everyone come together to share their support for us and for baby girl. What we received will be incredibly useful and helpful as we take care of her and as she grows.

I don’t know if I had ever considered how useful the gifts were that the wise men brought to baby Jesus.

Precious metal.

Perfume.

Ok, maybe I do know how the perfume would have been useful for Mary and Joseph.

We just don’t know. You have to imagine, though, that Mary and Joseph were surprised and encouraged that these wise men, magi, royal astrologers, made the trek from the eastern lands, only to see and welcome their baby boy to the world.

Perhaps most important was the message they shared that would save the lives of baby Jesus and his family.