Reflections on a Christmas Baby

Christmas is a magical time for us as a family not only because we get to spend it together but because we get to celebrate two very special birthdays.

I was due to give birth to our first child the week before Christmas 2018, and I was determined to have my baby before Christmas because I wanted to be at home for Christmas Day. However, things were not working out to plan! I remember being very nervous about going into hospital, the prospect of giving birth and I was worrying about missing so much of the Christmas celebrations. Christmas with my family is so important to me and now, looking back I wonder how Mary and Joseph felt about leaving everything they knew, their family and friends and having to be away from them at such a worrying time.

I was several days overdue, feeling uncomfortable and my anxiety was building with every hour. I ended up going into hospital the day before Christmas Eve and I was kept in overnight. The morning of Christmas Eve I was told I had to wait for a bed to be induced. Eventually I was taken to the birthing suit, where I had a fabulous midwife who chatted to me, got to know my husband and I, kept us calm and put our minds at rest. At 8pm her shift was finished, and she was having to go home to get her cooker fixed on Christmas Eve. I begged her to stay with me because she was so calm and so encouraging. She stayed and at 8:10 Joshua was born 9lb 3oz. I was so relieved that he had arrived safely and that I had such great care from the midwives and staff at the hospital. Joshua was given a special Christmas Santa hat for his newborns hat. I wonder how Mary felt giving birth all alone in the stable with no one to help her but Joseph. Did she feel anxious about becoming a mother and how this change would impact her, Joseph and their new family.

After an hour or so one of the midwifery sisters on duty came by and I realised it was one of our own church members, Sr Lorna, and she asked how we were getting on. I told her I would love to see my parents as it had been such a long ordeal, and I just wanted them around me. Then Lorna told me to let them come up for a quick visit even though it was way past visiting. So my parents and my husband’s parents got to meet Joshua that evening and the sense of love and happiness and excitement for this new baby for us as a new family was amazing. I wonder did Mary and Joseph feel such relief when the shepherds came to marvel at the baby Jesus. Did they feel safe and secure knowing that others had come to support them and be with them?

When all our family had gone home. My husband was allowed to go with me to the maternity ward, but he wasn’t allowed to stay the night. I was left on a full ward with other new mums and baby’s all trying to sleep. I felt so lonely. However soon it was Christmas morning. The nurses had put together a small choir and were going around each of the wards singing Christmas carols to the mothers and new babies and there was even a visit from Father Christmas. This sense of excitement and joy on the ward was felt by everyone. I wonder did the angels sing in heaven celebrating the Saviour's birth? Did they share in the joy of welcoming the new king?

When the families were allowed to come on to the ward it was filled with laughter love and celebrations. My husband and I were basking in this new life we had created and soon it was time for Christmas dinner. The hospital put on a feast for Christmas dinner and gave everyone Christmas crackers. We were told that we would be allowed to go home as soon as possible and quickly we were ready to go home as a family of three. We drove on empty streets and managed to get home and settled in time to watch the Queen’s speech, a big tradition in our house.

Later on that evening, we had a visit from my parents who had cooked us a lovely Christmas dinner and brought it down in plastic Tupperware boxes for us all to share. We heated the dinner up and ate it together with Joshua, the best Christmas present we could have asked for. I wonder how Mary felt having to stay in a new town for the census not really having family or friends to help and support her and Joseph and the baby Jesus. Did she feel worried and anxious for the future?

As I have reflected on our family story, I have seen the human side of the Christmas story; the difficulties Mary and Joseph faced as new parents and how much they depended on each other. The Queen’s words in her Christmas message still resonates with me: ‘The Christmas story retains its appeal since it doesn’t provide theoretical explanations for the puzzles of life. Instead, it’s about the birth of a child and the hope that birth, 2000 years ago, brought to the world. Only a few people acknowledged Jesus when he was born. Now billions follow him. I believe his message of peace-on-earth and good will to all is never out of date.’

I hope we can all show respect and love for each other this Christmas and seek peace on earth because of the birth of Jesus and for the sake of every child born.

Sr Debbie Armstrong

Gracehill