Jesus was human.

manger by MKJ December 3, 2015 Luke 2:11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. I've never met a baby I didn't like. There's something so pure and innocent about a baby - their skin is soft and smooth, no wrinkles from worry or gravity. They have perfect lips, eyelashes, fingers, and toes. They thrive on the affection and attention of others and through their innocence bring joy and peace. No matter what the mood of the room is or the crowd - young, old, rich, poor - if you plop a cute drooly baby in the middle, people are instantly happy. As a mother, no matter the problems or stresses of the day, it all seemed to melt away when I rocked my own babies to sleep. Now that they are older, I still take every opportunity I get to memorize their freckles, their eyelashes, their scars from the boo-boos I once kissed.  I also get to hold other people's babies for a living. I have found myself in a career where mothers and fathers entrust me to help the world's most innocent assets. Many of them are fragile - born with medical problems or have special needs that require more care than the average baby.  I have the pleasure of seeing many of them in their homes, but with this comes a raw and real representation of how difficult parenting can actually be. As I sit and talk with them through problems that I have not faced as a mother, I often realize how inadequate I am and how strong others are. Seemingly simple things are sometimes so hard for these families but what is not ever hard is loving them. What also never changes is the way these children love you back. I am always honored to hold someone else's baby and to tell them how lovely and special they are or sit in the middle of a toddler classroom and have a few little chubby-legged babies climb on my lap.  When I think of Christmas, I think of the way God formed a human connection with all of us by sending a perfect baby to earth. He showed us the most innocent and pure way to love someone by sending a newborn - undoubtedly with perfect skin and eyelashes. He allowed that child to walk around among us - the broken, the innocent, the different, the fragile - and to experience disappointment, rejection, acceptance, and love as we all do. I take comfort in knowing that my Jesus was human.  All year in our home, I keep a painting of the manger and a sign that reads, "REJOICE! - For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11). They are reminders to me that Jesus was human too. Kimberly Jessop Emmanuel Class Dear Lord, thank you for showing us love and humanity through the miracle of Christmas. Help us to remember to love others as You do this Christmas season.