As I pulled the bundle of mail from our mailbox, I sorted through it. Sandwiched between the magazines and credit card offers was a Pepto Bismol pink colored envelope. I flipped it over and a sticker with smiling jungle animals made eye contact with me. I carefully opened it and pulled out a beautifully handcrafted invitation. It was edged in pink and Dr. Seuss bright green stripes. All the friendly animals of the jungle were jumping around the paper. I was expecting this baby shower invitation. Our friend is having her first baby. The baby is a little girl and she has already been named Olivia. This shower will be a celebration of life. A time of anticipation and excitement about the little one who will hopefully make her appearance before Christmas Day.
The shower was held at a very exclusive restaurant. I had been informed that a full luncheon would be served. As I drove to Cleveland, I pondered how many baby showers I had attended in my life. I recalled going to baby shower breakfasts, brunches, picnics, luncheons, after hour parties, during lunch breaks, and open houses just to name a few. I have watched as the Mommy-to-be gets feted with rocking chairs, umbrellas, bunny slippers, floating loungers, recliners, pillows, bubbles, chocolate molded baby buggies, lemonade with curly straws, 500 calorie petit four, neck massages, pedicures, manicures, balloons with Barbie's face, everything pink, everything blue, and everything Disney. I have witnessed every theme from swimming pools to Mother Goose to frogs.?
This baby shower was probably the fanciest I have ever attended. It was complete with the Father-to-be, the Grandparents-to-be, all the aunts and uncles-to-be. Everyone was invited. We were seated at linen clad round tables with crystal glasses, porcelain plates, and real stainless steel utensils. There were none of the baby pink and baby blue paper plates that I host with. Gone were the plastic forks wrapped in paper napkins and curly tied with rainbow ribbon. We feasted on a delicious meal. Prime Rib, chicken Parmesan, Italian pastas and fresh homemade bread. There was an enormous strawberry filled multi-layered cake and gourmet cookies and?gelato and other delicacies. Chocolate hand painted giraffe pretzel rods complimented each table setting. Someone had made "take home goodie bags" filled with more chocolate ...one for everyone in attendance. I felt pampered and I was only a GUEST! This family is greatly anticipating the birth of this little baby. They had planned and dreamed and worked on this baby shower for months. It was a one of a kind baby shower experience. The gift table trailed at least 20 feet long and was laden with every design of baby shower paper and gift bags. I received a lesson in gift wrap design and bow creation by just looking over Baby Olivia's presents. There were the trendy diaper cakes, multi colored and shaped teething rings attached to the handles of the gift bags, stuffed animals peeking out of packages, and boxes wrapped in receiving blankets instead of paper gift wrapping. The wrapping and creativity of many that bestowed gifts on this new Mother was beyond words. Any baby item that has been produced had been purchased for Baby Olivia.? Gift after gift was opened and shared for all to see. I was especially interested in gifts made of fabric. Little soft sleepers and Onesies. Delicate cotton and baby yarn layettes made by a loving Great-Grandmother. Downy blankets and hoodies in every color. Quilts made from quality 100% cotton?fabrics...all created for precious long lasting usage and for leaving a legacy. Every fabric gift was primed for sensitive baby skin. Fragile little baby fingers and toes that would peek out of the blankets. Silken first baby hair that would be hidden in those folds of fabric. Every gift was given from the heart and with love. Given with thoughts of making little Olivia feel welcome and cherished. It was wonderful watching the new parents with their gracious attitude of appreciation for each of their guests. They are a kind and caring couple that truly cherish their family and friends. Little Olivia will grow up well under the watchful care of these two wonderful people.
When I think about the atmosphere of anticipation at that baby shower, I can only imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt. They prepared and planned for the coming Jesus. Joseph was a carpenter. His passion was building. The Bible doesn't say this... but?I imagine?that he had crafted a cradle of sorts for the dear baby to be lain in. It was probably the best one he had ever created. I can see in my mind's eye the labor of love. The rough strong manly hands on the warm olive wood. Sanding and smoothing, shaping that piece of wood into a work of art, making everything perfect for the infant, using his finish carpentry skills to design a unique creation. The pride of Joseph's skill went into the bed of a King. The personal sacrifice that turned the wood log into a masterpiece.? Mary was a servant girl. She had been trained to care for the home.? She had likely tended to family while she was but a child herself.? Every possible act of love was poured into the forthcoming birth of her baby. She would have?sought out the cleanest, purest, softest, and most durable fabrics.?She would have taken care of her body. No doubt in my mind, that she was very cautious where she went, what she ate, what she drank, and who knew about her precious pregnancy. Extreme care was foremost in her and Joseph minds as the days grew near.
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Then the announcement...?Caesar's?sinister plan. Everyone was to return to the city of their ancestors... NOW!? No exceptions... DO IT NOW! Don't question... follow the rules... or else. What a shock to the young couple. They had been planning an easy and safe birth. Their families were close and would assist in the birthing. Now... they were thrust out into a cold uncaring world... just the two of them... and God. All their well made plans... cast aside.? They couldn't even take the beautiful olive wood cradle that Joseph had lovingly handcrafted for Baby Jesus.? They knew they had to follow the law and travel to Bethlehem. It would be a hard journey for a woman with child. There might not be any place to find refuge and safety.?They knew and yet they obeyed. There is not one mention of resistance in the Word of God. They did exactly what God told them to do.?
All was ready in Bethlehem the night that Jesus came to earth. Mary and Joseph were prepared. God had prepared more than just their hearts. God had prepared the nation of Israel, the town of Bethlehem, the star, the donkey that carried Mary, the inn keeper that offered his animal stable, Joseph's willingness to take Mary as his wife, and?Mary's first experience with giving birth to her own child. God had prepared every part of Jesus' birth. The people, the animals, the stable, and the nation were all anticipating His arrival. Mary was ready. Joseph was ready. The inn keeper was ready.?All was in place and part of God's magnificent plan. Jesus was sent from Heaven, nurtured in a virgin womb, protected by a son of David, carried by a humble donkey, born in a lowly stable, laid in a stone feeding trough, and wrapped in strips of soft cloth. Cloth that was prepared just for a newborn body. Cloth that was torn from fabric that would protect the tiny baby from the cold and evil world He had just entered.??God had put everything in place for Jesus' arrival on Earth. There was no rushing, no worrying, no questioning. It was the way God wanted it to be on that very first Christmas Day.?
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21)
The Christmas Season is here.?Are you ready? Has the truth of the real Christmas Story filled your heart with anticipation for the Little One that came to save you from your sins?
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Merry Christmas!
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With love,
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Beth
Source: http://friendshipbiblechurch.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-baby-shower.html
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