On Fast-Feet and Baby Holdin’ and the Miracle of Christmas

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When our “Christmas baby” was born six years ago, no one was more excited than my firstborn who had prayed unceasingly for a little brother. 

Even now at fourteen, Luke counts the day of his little brother’s birth as one of the best days of his life.

 
Though my big boy was undoubtedly thrilled when his prayer was finally answered, he didn’t spend hours with our swaddled miracle in his arms. The pace of my eight-year-old’s life didn’t lend itself to rocking chairs and lull-a-byes. 
 
There were snow forts that needed to be built and basketballs that begged to be dribbled on the icy driveway. There was second-grade homework to master. And piano lessons to practice.  There were books to read. And games to play. And friends to race in the backyard.
 

And so Luke left his little sisters to fight over “holding rights,” during the day, and he remained content to place a quick kiss on the top of his baby brother’s soft head as he sped by the rocking chair now and then. 

 
But when nighttime wrapped about us and the noise of the day grew hush; when the girls were tucked snug in their beds and the balls tucked away in the toy box; my fast-footed son would tiptoe up the stairs and find me in the rocking chair. 
 
And in those quiet hours, my firstborn’s question as always the same: “Can I be holding the baby now?”
 
With a nod, I’d place our tiny miracle into my big boys’ arms and watch as Luke’s baby blues soaked in the sight of his new brother.
 
And I’d try to sear the scene on the back of my eyelids–the precious sight of my big boy tenderly holding my little boy.   

Holding him.  And beholding  him.
 
One night as we shared our silent reverie in the twinkle of the Christmas tree, I asked Luke why he always waited until the day’s end to linger with Joshua.
 
“Mom,” Luke replied with a tired sigh. 
 
“It’s just easier to hold him when my feet are slowed down.”
 
This morning as I curled up with my Bible in the glow of another evergreen tree, I thought of those child-like words. 

That big brother-now fourteen– wasn’t beside me. He was  still snoozing on the top bunk just above his little brother who doesn’t lie so quietly in our arms any more.

 But I thought of his words again. And I wondered if the secret to beholding the Baby this Christmas has something to do with my feet.

I won’t experience the glory of that Bethlehem babe if I’m racing past the manger to the mall.
 
 Or hurrying to the next holiday party. Or scurrying to another cookie exchange. 
 
I may even miss Him if I’m flying off to church.  Again.
 
But if I take a tip from an eight-year-old boy, I  may discover that it’s just easier to hold Him when my feet are slowed down. 

And if I still my soul and slow my feet, I might find that my arms are just the right size to hold an answered prayer this Christmas.  

The Overflow: 
“Be still, 
and know 
that I am God…”    
                   -Psalm 46:10 



Slowing my feet to count these gifts…

1656. An afternoon of adoration- friends gathered to applaud Jesus!
1657. Journey to Bethlehem- the thrill of bringing God’s story to life.
1658. Liz in her angel costume- “Come on, Mom- admit it, it’s so me!”
1689. Hannah- “remember how we prayed for the REAL angels to just mingle with us dressed up angels tonight?  Well, when I went to put on my costume, I spotted a REAL angel in the corner. Ya, know, just standing guard there. Joining us in the fun!” (And why would we expect any less?)
1690. Josh, waking me up at 5:00 on his birthday morning- “Mom! Mom! Is it my birthday yet? Because I think I’m bigger!”
1691. Little boys dressed in sports gear, being boys 🙂 in celebration of Josh’s birthday.
1692. Josh thrilling to his role of apprentice in the carpentry shop. Sam’s amazing way of making my son feel like an irreplaceable part in the production.
1693. Teaching sixth grade Sunday School and remembering why I loved my jr high classroom so much in those days before I retired!
1694. The Bible Study that meets during study hall— a packed school room with girls opening the Word. Lizzy leading with confidence and excitement. Rebecca’s courage to ask if they could…
1695. A “sick day” curled up with Maggie beneath the blankets… books, books, and more books. 
1696. All five children returning from school. A blessing I once overlooked.
1697. God at work in the darkness in CT… He will not forsake His people.
1698. Rob lying on the floor reading Junie B to Josh in his best funny voices.
1699. Luke as I tuck him in bed for the night, “Mom, thanks for doing all the stuff you do… like washing my clothes and helping me with homework and cooking muffins for our after school snack and making soup for supper and.. oh, I don’t know- just for being a great mom.”
1700. Presents wrapped and tucked beneath the tree. 

Happily linking with Ann for multitude mondays,  laura for playdates with god, jen for soli deo gloria,and with Jennifer at Getting Down With Jesus. 
 


                                                                



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Alicia

5 Comments

  1. “It’s easier to hold him when my feet are slowed down.”

    Love it when kids smack wisdom down on us.

    Merry Christmas, friend.

    Thanks for you fun conversation, beautiful words, and the encouragement you give many.

    Reply

  2. Oh, Alicia. I love the way you think–how you glean these lessons from your children and make them yours. Slowing my feet down here, friend. Much love to you.

    Reply

  3. Your kids are so wise. And I think that this is yet another image I can carry around with me today. Slow feet.

    Reply

  4. So Precious! So True! Kids speak truth so freely and with so little fuss.
    Keep up the God work.

    Reply

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