Kristin P.
Peura
December 21, 1999
Dear Liam,
Last Saturday night, just three days ago, you entered my heart
and the hearts of many at Peace Lutheran Church in
Charlottesville, Virginia. No, you did not nestle in my arms,
looking into my eyes, nor did you cry or fuss as a 10 day old
baby is wont to do. Rather, you simply arrived, much as we who
await the coming of the birth of the baby Jesus wait expectantly
for him to come each Christmas.
In a tiny woven basket, wrapped and capped in knitted garments
lovingly prepared, you unceremoniously were introduced into a
world larger than your family at home. Your mother held your
basket crooked over her arm and your two older brothers, Krister
and Kristian, skipped into the second pew on the left near the
organ where there was space enough for your whole family. Space
for you in your basket. Space for your mother to whisper to you
and your brothers "Sh...listen to Papa." Space for you,
tiniest of babies, to capture the hearts of all who worshipped in
this place.
Just as your mother and father made you out of their love, God
fashioned you in secret inside your mother. You grew underneath
her beating heart in her womb for nine months from almost nothing
into a real person, straining and kicking and demanding to be
born. But in this nine month period that you grew, no man or
woman or child knew you. No one could see the toes that wiggled
nor the ears which already could hear sounds as you grew in this
nesting place. But your Heavenly Father saw you, for he had given
your parents the ability to create and sustain you until your
birth.
And so this week you will be baptized on the night we celebrate
the birth of our Savior. And in the sprinkling of a little water
on your body, you will be named with the name God gave you even
before your beginning. And you will be sealed for all time with
the sign of the cross your father will lovingly trace on your
forehead. The christening gown you wear, though it be the most
beautiful dress your parents can provide, will pale in comparison
to the garment of the righteousness of Jesus Christ which will
henceforth clothe your body into eternity. For a child of God you
will be. Forever.
Yes, littlest one, you were placed in a basket. And your
introduction to Peace reminded me how Jesus arrives and is placed
in the manger of our hearts as we prepare to receive him this
Advent Season. You snuggled inside your coverings, not caring
where or how you were placed. Thus, too, Jesus comes...creeping
into our Bethlehem hearts where we open wide the doors of the
very best we have to offer him.
"Papa," you will say when you are older, "tell me
the story again." And so Papa will. But with the telling
each time it will be different. Each time it will be fresh and
new, though familiar.
Welcome to the world, Liam! Welcome to my heart. Love, Kristin