Saturday, January 9, 2010

A Baby Born to Die

As I wrote in my last post, I recently played Mary in our Sunday School Christmas program and doing so has given me much to think about. And today my thoughts revolve around the idea of a baby born to die. At Christmas time that can be a phrase we hear quite often, but do we really listen and more than that do we take the time to stop and think about the significance of those 5 words?

I have and I suppose you have to, but as I sat on the stage looking at my newborn son wrapped in swaddling cloths, the words were more alive. Anyone who's had a child can recall the emotion that overflows as you hold your baby for the first time - there's the overwhelming feelings, the awe at what took place, dreams for the future, really it's more than words can describe. I'm sure the same and more was true for Mary as she gazed at the Son God had given her...not only was she looking at Jesus her first born, but she saw the face of God!

Honestly I have to say this experience was the first time ever where I was on stage and totally unaware of the audience looking at me. (If you know me that says alot!!) But really I was consumed with being in Mary's shoes and still I'm amazed when I reflect on it all.

The impact of the experience doesn't end there though. When the service was done, a gentleman from the congregation asked me, "Do you know the significance of swaddling cloths?" The mom in me internally thought yes, they keep the baby warm and wrap them tight to ease the little one's transition. But he continued on, "Swaddling cloths were what they used for burial. He was born to die." That I knew, but I hadn't heard of that connection before so I looked into it a bit more.

In my research I came across this explanation, "In the Middle East, people traveling long distances were often met with many hardships and trials on their journeys. In the event of a death in travel, the body could not continue to be transported for many days. For that reason, travelers wrapped a thin, gauzelike cloth around their waist many times. If someone died on the journey, the others would use this cloth, referred to as "swaddling clothes" to wrap the corpse in before burying them. When Jesus was born, there was no room in the Inn, and so Mary and Joseph used a nearby stable for Jesus' birth. With no other cloth to use, Jesus was wrapped in Joseph's "swaddling clothes" - the cloth normally reserved for a person's death."

From the beginning Jesus was preparing to die. Now when my mind flashbacks and I see myself holding my little Jed, that can be hard concept to think about, but in life that is a reality. Thankfully chances are my son will not be called to the same death as Mary's, but just like Jesus, Jed's life on this earth will not last forever. And neither will mine...or yours.

Which brings me to another way to apply those 5 powerful words - Christ was born to die for my sins and because of that I am called to die to myself and live for Him. (Matthew 10:38-40). And as a mother I'm called to teach my son about His ways so someday he will do the same because when we die to self we live with Him and that is a birth that has no end!!

4 comments:

Rachel Beran said...

So, so fabulous,Jill!! So much to think about. Some of your best writing...and that's saying a lot because you are a very gifted writer.

Keep listening to the LORD's voice as He speaks and teaches you...and allowing Him to work through you to share with others! So proud of you, my sweet friend!!

(((BIG HUGS))) Soooo thankful for you!!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Hey Jill... thanks for stopping by the blog! You're always welcome there.

Reading this, I remember an occasion a couple of years ago when I was in charge of the "story time" during our church's VBS. I enlisted the help of my older sons and husband to re-enact the dramas many nights. On one particular evening, we were using the story about the "woman with the issue of blood" who grabbed the hem of Christ's robe. I played the part of that woman.

When I reached to grab his robe and held on tight, tears began to fall down my cheeks. It all became very real to me. My sin; Christ's redemption. My "holding on"; his allowing me to do so.

Even now, my eyes are moist with remembrance.

How do I love God's living and active Word?!!!

Blessings to you this Saturday. Enjoy a good Sabbath with our King.

peace~elaine

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Powerful!

But this thought also crossed my mind and by no means to take away from the magnitude of the significance of "a baby born to die". Really, it ties in...are we not all born to die? To die to self and to live for Him? It is all about what happens between those to dates we receive..our birthdate and the date we die to this earth.

Just a thought. If only we could do it as well as Jesus.

In His Graces~Pamela

Stacy said...

Jill, your words are lovingly thought-provoking. Thank you for posting. I have been out of the "blogosphere" for awhile...congratulations on the healthy arrival of Jed. He is gorgeous, as are your other children. Thank you for continuing to share your heart and your obvious love for the Lord.
In Him, Stacy