Nine years ago today, this sweet little girl made me a mom.
I had some complications during my pregnancy and during her birth. After she was born my doctor made the comment that she was our Christmas miracle, so when my husband suggested that her middle name be Noel, it was the perfect fit. Although the word Noel is used as another word for Christmas, linguists don’t know for certain the origins of the word. It may come from the Old French word nael, which is derived from the Latin word natalis which means “birth.” There are several other hypotheses about the word’s original meaning, including my favorite, “now all is well.” The relief of finally holding my little girl in my arms after all that had gone wrong is a moment burned into my memory. Relief, wonder, gratitude, joy…looking back, “now all is well” perfectly describes that moment. The birth of my daughter changed the way I thought about Christmas. The miracle of birth and new life is incredible, but the timing of my experience made me reflect on that all-important birth of our Savior. “Now all is well” is appropriate on so many levels. What relief Mary and Joseph must have felt once Jesus was born, after having gone through less than ideal birthing conditions. But his birth also had global impact, bringing a message of hope and peace to all who listen, both then and for thousands of years to come.
I love Christmas. I love everything about it—the music, the decorations, the food, the parties, the cards, the gift buying, wrapping, and all the other traditions. But experiencing Christmas through the eyes of my children has made it even more special and magical. My girls revel in every moment, joyfully placing ornaments on the Christmas tree, carefully deciding what to give each person they love, spending hours drawing and writing cards,and singing Christmas carols at the top of their lungs. Watching them, it’s easier to remember that the reason we celebrate is the birth of a little baby in Bethlehem, the greatest gift of all. Charles Dickens wrote, in A Christmas Carol, “It is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.”
I hope this Christmas season, in celebrating the birth of that child, that first Noel, that we can be a bit more like children ourselves—full of wonder and joy, quicker to forgive and slower to find fault. May we give a bit more of ourselves and think less of what we are getting. May we focus on what a gift life is. I love this video, A Savior is Born, which is part of a Christmas campaign that I’ve been participating in. It’s a beautiful reminder of the true meaning of Christmas told through the voices of children, so have a watch.
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What joy the birth of a baby brings! I will never forget the birth of that sweet little girl who made me a grandma. What a day! “Now all is well” is a beautiful thought to connect to Christ’s birth. Lovely post.
Happy Birthday Squirrel! Really enjoyed this post and the video.