By Judy Villanueva
Luke: 2:13
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
What would it be like to hold the baby Jesus? To cradle Him in your arms, your Savior and the King of glory? Can you imagine looking down at His face and into His eyes knowing what you know…having read the end of the story? See His little, dimpled hands, His chubby cheeks, and pudgy form! So small and innocent, the creator of the universe came as a helpless baby and was entrusted to human parents. Unbelievable! As I sat in church yesterday I found myself fixed on the nativity scene displayed on the altar and was aware of a gentle hope that emanated from the cradled King. Everyone gathered stared at Him with wonder and expectation. What do you need to hear from God? Are there dusty hopes that you might like to take off the shelf in His presence as you let Him fill your arms and heart with wonder?
Holding the baby Jesus during Christmas connects us to His tender beginnings. It helps us remember the most remarkable moment in all of history…when the infant-God entered human life one starry, starry night! Holding Jesus for a day changes the way we live. Think of it! What would THAT day be like?
What would be on your mind and how might you act if, as you went about a day full of moments, you held the One who died for you?
Holding Jesus over a lifetime transforms us from the inside out! Every step, every word, every thought, every deed in the presence and in the service of the baby-King! Life shifts from “all about us” to “all about Him.” Cradling the baby who will grow up and give His life on a cross, who will be spit upon and cursed, beaten and pierced, and whose last words will blanket us with grace…is staggering, love-filling, grateful-making, and hope inspiring!
Holding Jesus is a Christmas prayer that helps us remember what is most worthy of remembering.
It is the best story ever told, hidden in all good stories. It helps us hold hope, and live out of the best of who we are because in holding Jesus, we feel his breath and heartbeat, we see His face before us, and are reminded of the best gift we’ve ever received!
“Thank you, Father, for sending us Your Son. Help me to hold Jesus this Christmas and beyond! I pray that with arms full of Love, I will be empowered to love more freely. Amen.”
What about you?
What comes to mind as you imagine holding the baby Jesus?
Have you received His gift of love?
What do you need from Jesus this Christmas?
How might you live this day as a gift to baby King?
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Wow Judy! How i needed that to focus on my Savior not just at Christmas but everyday He gives me breath. Thank you and the song was amazing. Love and missing you!
I love the imagery! Visual images help me to meditate and listen to God speaking to my deepest need. Cradling Jesus is the image I needed to today. I hope I will keep coming back to it as I do the necessary preparations for Christmas. I want to take many moments during the press of the minutiae to pick HIM up and simply kiss His cheek! How simple yet profound!
To me holding a new born baby has always been one of the biggest thrills in my life, always has been.
But being fortunate enough to hold the baby Jesus is the greatest thrill of all. At first glance I feast my eyes on this beautiful, precious baby, looking at his tiny hands, feet and toes, trying to make Him smile for me. Babies, to me, are a wonder of God. Then as I studiedJesus more the sad realization of what is going to happen to Him later in life made me more than sad. Even though I know about His future there is nothing I can do to stop it.
But right now I am not going to think about that, I am just savoring this moment in time when I have the honor of having held, cooed, and loved the new born Baby Jesus.
Judy, so glad you used imagery in you message cause it made my day…….