The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
“But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God…”
John 1:12
Less than two short months ago, my husband and I were blessed with the most wonderful early Christmas gift: the birth of our first child, a precious baby girl. The days blur into nights in a beautifully exhausting rhythm as we get to know this new human. Some of my favorite moments are when she’s swaddled snuggly and falls limp against my chest, completely content in my arms. Of course, for each time she sleeps like an angel, there is another where she fights like a bull. She struggles and kicks, straining to free herself from the perceived prison of her swaddle. I rock her back and forth, back and forth, wishing she could understand the words I whisper in her ears, Shh. I’ve got you. Shh. It’s ok. Shh. I love you.
In these moments, between the sound of her cries and my half-awake state, I often feel at loss for words to pray. Yet when words have failed me, a clear image has captivated my prayers: there in the dark of midnight, in yesterday’s clothes covered in today’s spit-up, I see myself wrapped in the Father’s arms. He cradles me, just as Mary cradled Jesus on that cold night 2000 years ago and as I now cradle my own child. Swaying me back and forth, I hear God whisper his words of truth and promise in my ear, Shh. I’ve got you. Shh. Do not be afraid. Shh. I love you.
And for the first time in a long time, I let myself by held by the Father. My shoulders relax and my jaw releases. My breathing becomes deep and steady. Here, on the edge of the bed in the dead of night, I sink my soul into the Father’s true rest.
Friends, we all need someone to hold us, to rock us, to remind us that we can rest – and there is no better place to rest than the Father’s arms. This Christmas, whatever joys or sorrows you are experiencing, I hope you bring them to God. He is waiting with arms open, longing to swaddle you in his love.
Kassie Manning, Ph.D. is the Operations Director and co-founder of Every Sacred Sunday. When not thinking about books, she can be found around Texas climbing tall rocks, searching for lost chapstick, or making pros/cons lists about camper trailers. Come say hi here!