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We look at pictures of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus. They look so peaceful. Every hair is in place.
The animals stand together, each in their own spot, happy to be with everyone else.
The scene is enhanced by the sound of Away in a Manger playing in the background. It says of Jesus, “no crying He makes.”
It almost seems sacrilegious to think of things any other way. In fact, we don’t want to think of it any other way.
But Paul said Jesus had
“to be made like us, fully human in every way.”
Hebrews 2:17
Babies cry. Tired mothers love their babies, but pray to be freed of their crying for just a little while.
Animals seem intent on marching to the beat of their own drum (and not necessarily the beat of some drummer boy). So it is possible they were just being their usual animal selves. Have you ever tried to get your pets in a family photo?
And mothers who have just traveled a long way in less than luxurious transport and then delivered a baby probably are not photo ready.
Then there is the big issue we wish we could ignore. Pain. Did Mary have to experience the pain of childbirth?
God declared from the beginning, women would bring forth their children in pain.
Jesus Himself referred to the pain of childbirth when He said,
“ A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.”
John 16:21
Jesus Himself labored on the cross to deliver Life to us. So it is unlikely Mary was spared the pain of childbirth.
The real message of the nativity is to consider unexpected detours in our carefully planned life.
It is to trust God for all we do not understand. That includes the myriad of things that contribute to suffering, including pain.
I don’t understand the purpose of pain. I just know that there is something far better beyond pain.
I know that new life, whether it is new plants or new people come into view through another’s labors.
I know life comes about when we push back against all that would hold us back, and we do so in spite of the pain.
I think of the beauty and wisdom that came from laboring saints as I worked in the hospice unit. They brought me life, even through their pain and death.
I know that “growing pains” are real, but they don’t last forever.
I know that the pain of wounds is real, but they too don’t last forever.
I know that others can comfort us in our times of pain, but they cannot stop it. Whatever its purpose, God controls it.
Childbirth reminds us that while we are God’s assistant in bringing forth life, it is He alone Who controls each step that makes. It happen.
Childbirth also reminds that with The Power of God inside us, we are stronger than we think.
So, yes, I imagine Mary had labor pains, but she did it to bring The Life that we cherish into the world.
Jesus had pain, but He did it too to bring us Life Eternal.
One glorious day, pain will have served its purpose and it will be over forever.
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
Revelation 21:4
