“The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.” G. K. Chesterton
I’ve always loved this painting by Norman Rockwell. It’s called “The Discovery” and it appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on December 29th, 1956.
The surprise, then astonishment, then the slow realization…. but not the surety. What has he discovered? Is he sure about what he is seeing and what it means?
The wondrousness of Santa. His sleigh and 8 reindeer. The clomp of boots on the roof! His huge red bag of goodies with all the names of the little boys and girls. The plate of cookies that mysteriously empties in the night…. The sparkling-colored lights and the crisp snow-covered yards and the hot cocoa and marshmallows!
The way my mom and dad made it all so magical. So believable, So wonderful! Because when you love someone, you endeavor to create a magical, joyous space where they can feel cherished. Where the unceasing darkness of the world is held at bay, even for just a little while. And the twinkling lights are like endless stars and the night is warm with blankets and footie pajamas and dad reads “A Visit from St. Nicholas” like he does every year, and there is simply none of the harshness that seems to fill the news and the hurried disconnect etched into people’s faces. It all seems to melt away during the season.
Much like a parent – Next Step Pregnancy Services – tries so very hard to create magic and warmth and security for each person who comes through our doors. We all know life is hard. Not can be hard – IS hard. And we aim to do what we can to ease the burden of stress and isolation, uncertainty and pain that many of our clients feel. It truly is the little things.
Extra diapers, warm receiving blankets, nipple cream for breastfeeding moms, an early ultrasound to confirm baby is there and is ok, prenatal vitamins, a warm hand to hold and be held when inexplicably there is no heartbeat, a shoulder to cry on when the STI test comes back negative and you feel confident you can start fresh because our nurse was there every step of the way encouraging you to take a look at yourself in the mirror and love who you are. Not who you think you need to be.
I sometimes read articles right around this time that refer to Jesus as an “unplanned pregnancy” and I think – No! He was not unplanned. He was anointed. He was – is – the plan. Mary-His mother-was planned. Joseph-His father on earth-was planned. You were planned. So was I. We were planned. He planned us. He created us. He knows what each and every one of us can do and will do. And He loves us.
It’s no coincidence – the magic of Christmas. The birth of Jesus brings out the best in all of us. Makes us all kids again. Squeezing our eyes shut, imagining we hear the sound of hooves on the rooftop.
Christmas is joy. It is wonder. It is delight. It is cheer. It is sacred. It is peace.
May your Christmas be bright and filled with harmony. Merry Christmas to you from us at Next Step Pregnancy Services.
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