December is My Happy Place 

My two passions are Christmas and babies.

There’s a physical benefit to holding them in your arms, laying them across your chest. It’s a little taste of heaven.

I’ve imagined holding and snuggling the infant baby Jesus. Kissing those cute baby toes, knowing that his feet would be pierced with nails for my sins. While changing his diaper I contemplate where the soldier’s spear would wound my Savior’s side.

Gently stroking Jesus’ beautiful head of hair, I realize that one day it would be matted with blood inflicted by a cruel crown of thorns. Those tiny arms that joyfully flail as I gently speak to him while in my arms would someday lie motionless and cold in a borrowed tomb.

But the tomb was a short-term rental! Now when I cast my eyes on our Savior he returns a gaze with loving eyes that stirs my soul. And my risen Lord wraps his strong, warm arms around me in an eternal embrace.

I greatly admire Joseph, Mary’s husband. Imagine being told the woman you’re engaged to is pregnant and you are dead certain the baby isn’t yours. It’s a time in history when she could be stoned. It’s likely that all Joseph had to do was give the word and this problem would be behind him. But that wasn’t Joseph’s style. Then an angel came to him in a dream and told him he was going to be the stepdad of the Savior of the world!

Joseph stepped up and bore the arrows of gossip and accusations. By taking Mary as his wife, many thought he too was guilty of sex outside of marriage. His spotless reputation was shattered overnight.

Imagine if every father of a baby outside of marriage emulated Joseph and sacrificed to stand with the mother of his child. Christmas has a lesson for men everywhere.

What’s your favorite Christmas movie?

Mine is The Nativity Story. I love the cultural context as Mary’s pregnancy unfolds. Imagine the gossip and hostility the couple had to endure in the small town of Nazareth.

It’s my favorite line of the movie. Under the disapproving glare of their neighbors Joseph leads the donkey with Mary perched on top out of Nazareth to Bethlehem. And he says to his future wife, “They’re going to miss us.”

Mary and Joseph had a hard road. They weren’t wealthy. By our standards they were destitute. Plus, King Herod wouldn’t rest as long as his “royal competition” was alive somewhere.

Parenting the Savior of the world wasn’t for sissies. But God took care of them, just as he’ll take care of you during life’s dark and challenging times. This movie is a great reminder that if the Lord allowed the mother of his son to suffer, you and I shouldn’t complain about the challenges we face along the way.

This month we celebrate the Advent of our Lord, as well as his birthday. It’s a spiritually captivating time! Let all of this celebration point you to the manger where the Word was made flesh.

Yes, December is my happy place. From all the staff at Life Issues Institute, Merry Christmas!

Defending LIFE,

Brad Mattes,

President, Life Issues Institute