On Christmas Eve, as I was driving home from a long day at the hospital, the overwhelming joy and reality of Christmas hit me yet again. This has been a different sort of Christmas for me - not the 1st away from home, but the first in the southern hemisphere! Have you ever tried to celebrate Christmas in July? I have been listening to Christmas carols while sunbathing... it is a strange thing! South Africans have never known a white Christmas, but on the 85 degree eve of the holiday, I felt like I was trying to trick myself into believing that it was the 24th of December!
I had been off for the day, but was running some errands and delivering babies to another home in the North of the city, when I got a call that one of our children was going to need to go to hospital to be monitored. I came straight home, put baby “S” in the car and headed to downtown Jozi. On the drive I began to see the stress on this poor baby. I could hear him breathing unbelievably fast, so I put my hand to his little chest to see how he was coping. This child’s heart was racing so I put a little more pressure on the gas pedal! When we got to the hospital, my little boy’s sats were so low that I could not believe he had been hanging on as long as he had! On oxygen he improved immediately, but it took hours for his heart rate to slow. He was exhausted and stressed and wanted the comforts of his dummy and his Auntie’s arms. So we sat... all day in casualty, waiting for a bed to be prepared for him in the ward.
Just after 7pm that night, one of our dear Aunties came to spend the night with him in the hospital. I kissed my baba and headed for home. On the way home, I caught a gorgeous sunset and the beginnings of a thunderstorm in the distance, and the Lord joined me for the ride home ;). I hope you don’t think I sound crazy when I say that, but car rides are often times where I have some of my best conversations with the Lord! Finally, the reality of the night hit me! My Jesus was God made man, sent as a tiny baby very like the one I had just spend the day cuddling. He was vulnerable and dependent, and all of my hope... the hope of the world, rested in that little Christmas gift. Thank you God for your sacrifice... thank you Jesus for your willingness! And thank you for the little Christmas miracle, now gaining strength in hospital.
I spent Christmas morning with my toddlers, who were beside themselves with excitement ;) We opened presents from “Father Christmas” and said happy birthday to Jesus! It was a blast. When they went down for their nap, Clair, her sister Holly, and I came home with one of 3 wee ones to spend a quiet-ish afternoon at home.
Kiddos “A” and “C” had been gifted Christmas dresses by their Auntie Stephanie (my friend who used to work here, if you remember) and I so when naps were finished I dolled up the girls for a video conversation with Stephanie. It was fun to catch up with her and I enjoy being able to help her keep the connection with these kids, whom she invested herself in for the years she served here. It was a fun time for her, both little girls, and Clair and I!
Clair, Holly and I then took the 3 babes back home, visited the gang at the baby house quickly and came home so that I could speak to my family! It was so wonderful to connect with them today. I enjoyed this Christmas with the little ones, but I definitely missed the special family times at home, that I cherish. Afterward, I made a Christmas dinner for Clair, Holly and I, which we enjoyed in our Christmas best, on our balcony, catching the last of the African summer sun for the night.
Happy birthday Jesus... I am undone by your tangible love and grace... the joy that accompanies life lived through you.
Merry Christmas, friends, and a Happy New Year!
Love and Blessings,
Beth
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