The Messenger - December 16, 2010 - Spiriual Midwives

Pastor's Corner

"Spiritual Midwives"

This is the time of year when almost everyone focuses upon the birth of Jesus. Even those who find little meaning in the story of Jesus through most of the year will often find real excitement for our faith at Christmas. Part of that excitement is the cultural trappings: Santa, sleighs, reindeer, snowmen, trees, and all the rest. But I think that an even bigger part of this excitement is the prospect of new birth. Something deep within us warms at the birth of a baby, and something deep within us longs to love, hold, and preserve a brand new life.

I still remember the first few weeks of our Andrew's life. Kim and I stood beside his birth mom in the last hours of her labor, and we held him in our arms within moments of his birth. I could hold him in one hand, but I wanted to wrap him with both arms and guard him with my life. Within days, we discovered the reality that every new parent knows: deep sleep was a thing of the past! Every whimper, grunt, or moan sent us flying from our bed like a fire alarm! Nonetheless, there was so much tenderness even in those long nights. Our son learned that he could trust us even then.

Kim and I are now way past the baby stage. I don't know that we could raise another one. But I do know that our lives were deeply blessed through this process, which has become a metaphor for many new creations in our lives. My call to ministry was a new creation, and Kim's calling to Christian Education was a new creation, too. Each involved a major sacrifice of energy and time, but each became a major blessing to us and many people that we served.

Now that we are in our 50s, I don't think that Kim or I will be changing careers again. Nor do I think we will be raising another child. But I hope we'll always be in the business of supporting life. A book I read several years ago suggested that all Christians should see themselves as "spiritual midwives"--people who are called by God to assist those whom God has given new life. Sometimes, this is physical life--the nurture, preservation, and development of good children. At other times, this is spiritual life--the nurture, preservation, and development of new initiatives and ideas.

I have learned in the last few months that several members of our church are "pregnant" with possibilities for the future, and several others are really gifted at bringing forth new life. My prayer in this holy season is that God helps each of us to reclaim our love of new creations and our desire to work together so that the life God brought to us at Christmas so many years ago might bless our homes and hearts again with the grace and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

I'll see you in church!

Family Christmas Festival

Sunday, December 19, 2010
Start at 4:00 PM

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