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Two CORE threads are INterwoven INto the followINg piece —
- Physiological Birth IS Biblical Birth.
- God IS the ORIGINal MidWife.
The Nativity of Jesus has BEen a major subject of Christian art sINce the 4th century and tHere has BEen an unendINg evolution of the depictions of His Birth sINce.
HavINg said that, most / many of these depictions are of when He was already Born, not of when He was BEINg Born. For thIS reason … it has escaped the mass mINd that the Birth of Jesus was a FREE BIRTH, as captured by my All-time favorite Nativity depiction out tHere (the only One of its kINd, from my KnowINg), a photograph taken by award-wINnINg artist Natalie Lennard of BIRTHING UNDISTURBED.
It IS IN the sophisticated simplicity of Jesus' Birth — a free Birth IN a stable — that WE see the timeless Truth of Birth as an act of surrender, submission, obedience and Service to God’s Will.
The Story of Jesus' Birth devoid of Human INtervention, medication or artifice, IS emblematic of the Natural Order of Birth, as God INtended. The Bible recounts and retells thIS momentous event IN a Way that reflects and reveals that Birth exists IN the very Nature of thINgs.
Mary and Joseph, while on their pilgrimage, fINd themSelves IN Bethlehem, wHere and when, IN the most ordinary yet miraculous of circumstances, Jesus IS Born.
And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟮:𝟲-𝟳
The above Bible verse that tells the Story of His Birth IS strikINg IN its simplicity and profound IN its implications.
Physiological Birth, as experienced by Mary, IS an expression and emBodiment of the Biblical INnerstandINg of Birth. IN a settINg that certaINly was not sterilized by Human standards, tHere was somethINg far more essential at play — the sanctification of the space by God's Presence. A sanctification which transcends our Human notions of cleanliness and control, INvitINg us INto a space wHere Faith IN God's design for Life dWELLs at the core and centre of our HeARTs.
Mary was exalted to God's Perfect and Pure Plan for Birth. Mary teaches us that Birth, IN its most Natural state, IS an act of Faith.
KnowINg that God IS the ORIGINal MidWife and that God IS with Her IN and through the pilgrimage IS the Source of Mary’s Faith.
ThIS story remINds us that givINg Birth IS less about Human INtervention and more about collaboration and COOPERATION with God. It IS about CreatINg a space — wHere the Organic process can unfold IN accordance and alignment with His Will.
It’s through Him that WE realize the SPIRITUAL Nature of the support WE require — over the PHYSICAL support.
IN the Story of Jesus’ Birth, WE fINd the Biblical roots of physiological Birth.
Unassisted. Undisturbed. Raw. Primal. INtuitive. INcubated. Sanctified. MidWifed by God HimSelf.
When WE attribute successful Births to God, WE are acKnowledgINg the mystery and Miracle of Life, and recognizINg that tHere IS INHERently a force and Source greater than ourSelves at work.
When WE attribute successful Births to God, WE can approach Birth with the sense of respect and reverence that it Truly DESERVES.
It IS important to note that attributINg successful Births to God does not dimINish or dissolve the role of the MotHER or the Baby or the FatHER or any care providers who are Present. Rather, it IS a recognition that through conception, pregnancy and Birth the MotHER IS called and Chosen to co-Create Life with THE CREATOR HimSelf. Rather, it IS a KnowINg that you are IN His hand — and that you are (BE)held by Him.
WE are constantly tryINg to impose our WILL ONTO God. WE forget that fundamentally God has Sovereign rights over Birth and Death. God’s WILL precedes and SUPERSEDES Any and All Human Will (try as WE might).
Can WE have feral and fervent Faith IN God’s Plan, Purpose, Provision and Promise? For our Children? For our Family’s?
By INvesting our FAITH IN God and acKnowledgINg God’s Presence and hand IN the process WE can let go of the fear-based need to control, measure, manipulate and manage Birth and INstead LET GO(D).
BEfore and BEyond BEINg Children to our Chosen and given (BIOlogical) Parents, WE are All Children of God (first and foremost). God takes care of us Eternally and has simply commissioned our Chosen and given (BIOlogical) Parents to temporarily care for us.
God Knows us BEfore WE are even conceived IN our MotHER’s Womb.
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 𝗝𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮𝗵 𝟭:𝟰-𝟱
Babies are even Named BEfore they are Born and their Parents are given very specific INstructions about their BELoved identity.
He was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 𝗟𝘂𝗸𝗲 𝟮:𝟮𝟮
I have found profound solace IN the KnowINg that God both gives AND takes (Life) aWay.
All of Life (and Death) IS fundamentally God’s Will. Not ours. It IS All God’s to make, and tHerefore His to take.
From Womb to tomb, it IS written.
AMEN.
