A Breath of Heaven at Christmastime

by Elizabeth Foss

Once again it is that very busy time of year. Parents everywhere are caught up in the whirlwind of homemaking and merrymaking. But not this mom. This year, you'll find me just sitting and cuddling our soft newborn baby, Karoline Rose, who was born Oct. 4.

Karoline is our eighth baby and one would think that I wouldn't be amazed by how a baby slows me down. Housework which we previously finished in under an hour takes the better part of the morning. I don't dare make appointments before 10 in the morning and even then it's tough to arrive on time. Life seems to be moving in the slow motion peculiar to every postpartum.

This time, I'm not fighting it. I'm taking my time. I'm determined not to speed things up. With my first infant, I was anxious for each new milestone of development -- I hurried the baby days away. With the second, I was eager for him to grow and be a playmate for the first.

But then, with my third, I learned to slow down I was hit over the head with the reality that I was going to slow down whether I wanted to or not. Things sped up again for awhile sometime around the seventh. And again, I got hit over the head. This time, I’m not giving in to the hustle and bustle.

Those who know me will attest to the fact that I was not naturally patient and I liked to move quickly. But now, I'm grateful for the excuse to sit for 20 minutes every two hours and nurse the baby. I no longer multi-task, but I linger in the present moment and focus on one (or maybe two) thing at a time. I don't miss the hustle and bustle of the season at all.

Of course, our other children are starting to catch the Christmas fever; I am not totally oblivious to the chaos outside.For some reason, though (hormones?), I'm able to meet their exuberance with relative calm and to delight in their enthusiasm. Having a newborn at Christmas time makes the infant Jesus seem very real to my 4-year-old. And the humble sacrifices of Mary and Joseph seem heroic to my husband and me.

What an awesome calling -- to parent the child of God. Isn't that what we are all called to do? When they are infants, new and sweet, it is so easy to remember that they are the handiwork of the Lord, gifts from heaven. And as Charles Dickens once wrote, "It is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us." as they get older, we sometimes need to be reminded. And then, in an instant, it's their last Advent at home before going out into the big world.

Surely, this will be the best Christmas ever. And I am poignantly aware that this is our last Advent before our eldest leaves for college. The last time he'll be here to read Tomie de Paola books and to lend his expertise to arts and crafts. The last time everyone will be nestled all snug in their beds in my house as we prepare for the feast. We have a little choir of "angels" who grasp the meaning of the season nearly as well as adults,but reflect it through the eyes children. We have a beautiful, wide-eyed 4-year-old who is amazed at the sights and sounds and activity but ever grateful for the chance to cuddle quietly with mom and her new baby. And we have Karoline Rose, a brand new breath of heaven.

 I'm glad to let the busyness of Christmas time whirl around me as I gaze through the haze created by a new baby. (Some would call it half-crazed sleep deprivation, but that's not very poetic.) I'm very happy snuggled in my flannels, sipping peppermint tea, reading old familiar advent stories, and drinking in the heady sweetness of a new baby.

If you happen to be cradling a baby in your arms as you read this post, I'm glad you're with me. If you are expecting a baby, put your feet up and join us; you certainly deserve the rest. And if your babies have grown all too quickly, take a moment to reminisce. Wherever you are in your parenting, I invite you to look through the eyes of a child and share the peace of an Infant.

Comments

[Jennifer]

Wow, that was just beautiful. I wish I could slow down as well. The only deadlines I have are the ones I create out of anxiety. I really needed to read this this morning. Thank you.

[Rebecca]

This is such a beautiful post, Elizabeth. It is always good for me to be reminded to do only that which is important, rather than running around frantically.

[Jennifer]

Gorgeous, Elizabeth!
Marianna is an Advent baby and I reminisce frequently this time of year. Sweet memories!

[Alice Gunther]

I am right where you are, Elizabeth, and celebrating that special haze with you.

[Margaret in Minnesota]

Thank you, Elizabeth, for this well-timed and very necessary reminder.