A Child is Born: His First Breath of Grace

He took His first breath. The first breath of grace.

Wrapped in a swaddling cloth, though adorned with royal titles.

Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel: God with us. The Ancient of Days.

The Lamb of God created the star placed in the heavens to announce His arrival. The light of the world.

I held Him in my arms, so overjoyed.

Barely minutes old and seemingly fragile. But this baby embodied the fullness of the Godhead. Such power demonstrated when He cast out evil spirits and even raised the dead to life again.

I studied every feature as mothers do when handed a newborn. Gazing intently at Him, I saw the goodness and greatness of God.

Wrapped in a swaddling cloth, though adorned with royal titles. Wonderful. Counselor. Prince of Peace. Holy King. Immanuel: God with us. The Ancient of Days. Click To Tweet

First Breath of Grace

Looking into His eyes, they would see into the hearts of men. I watched His mouth when He yawned or cried. Wonderful, powerful, and life-giving words He later spoke. He commanded even the winds and waves to obey Him.

Placing my hand on His chest to sense a strong heartbeat. The day was coming when His heart—broken and betrayed by many—offered forgiveness to all.

Power in His Hands and Feet

I examined His feet. Yes, five toes on each one. I’d felt them kicking inside me. These feet carried Him to speak to the masses, walked on water, anointed with perfume and pierced with nails.

I held His hands and little fingers. The same hands gently caressed those who needed comfort and healing and touched eyes restoring sight. His hands stretched out to give life and love pierced by nails.

Embracing Him as a mother tenderly draws her child close, snuggling Him near to my chest. Yet, His embrace offers us more warmth and security than any earthly mother ever bestows.

How ironic I nursed Him to sustain His physical life, whereas He is the very Bread of Life.

First Breath: Child to Man

I delighted in watching Jesus grow from child to man. There’s no one like Jesus: His smile, voice, presence, and spirit. Jesus possesses great compassion, humility, love, and tenderness.

There's no one like Jesus: His smile, voice, presence, and spirit. Jesus possesses great compassion, humility, love, and tenderness. Click To Tweet

It wasn’t always easy being the mother of Jesus. I couldn’t fully understand His life,—a mother who longed to grasp her son’s love and mission—it was out of my emotional reach.

I found myself at the foot of the cross sobbing. “Why, son?”

“. . . though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:6-11 (ESV)

First Breath: Manger to Cross to Heaven

Jesus, placed in my arms at birth, then in a manger (a mere feeding trough for animals). Then, placed on a wooden cross to die (nothing mere about the cross, His love and mission were now within reach).

After Jesus rose from the dead, Christ took His rightful place beside His Father’s throne in heaven. And He takes residence in our hearts, if we let Him in.

His Holy Word shouts:

“Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of Glory may come in. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord Almighty—he is the King of Glory.”  Psalm 24:9-10 (NIV)

(The first Christmas as imagined by Mary.)

First Christmas Night

Is the Lord of hosts, Jesus, alive and well in your heart? Christ breathed His first breath of grace for you and me.

The Lord of hosts came the first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who are willing to welcome His glory into their hearts and lives.

Christ took His first breath of grace on the first Christmas night in Bethlehem for all who welcome Him into their hearts and lives. Click To Tweet

Jesus, the Savior. Let Him in . . . to your heart . . . to Christmas!

Featured images courtesy of our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever.

Last week’s article, 7 Christmas Gifts We Need Most.

Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:

Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Let’s Have Coffee/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).

---

© 2023 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved