It would be an understatement to say that this Advent has been very special for our family. As we looked forward to the coming of our Lord, we anxiously awaited the coming of our second child. This week we were blessed with a new baby girl and I am now a proud father of two little angels. I can’t explain how special this month has been for us. We have been surrounded by images of the nativity and the welcoming of baby Jesus into the world while we waited for the coming of our little one. To see my oldest daughter play with baby Jesus and her toy nativity set just days before a real baby rocked her world, was such a blessing.
Like Christ’s return, parents know not the hour of which newborns come. Our doctors had suggested that we induce the birth, but at 1:00 am on the day we decided to “sleep on it,” God and our little girl decided it was time to see the light. She was born eight hours later and mom and baby are very healthy.
We can’t help but put ourselves in Mary and Joseph’s shoes in this final week of Advent, pondering what joy they felt as they welcomed Jesus into the world. The many paintings of the Holy Family and nativity scenes only capture a small clue to what they must have truly felt. Looking into the face of both of my daughters, I know that I have been given a foretaste of the Beatific Vision, our destiny in heaven. At the same time, I can imagine how proud Mary and Joseph must have been of their newborn son. They were truly the first people to see the face of God—the face of God in a newborn baby.
Thank you all for your support and prayers. May God bless you this Advent and Christmas season.
Have a joyful Advent and a merry Christmas!!
~Jared, Jen, and the girls
God bless you Jared! I’m very happy for you. I had a similar Advent 7 years ago when my second son was born on January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Waiting for a child during December certainly gives new meaning to the “expectancy” of Advent. Gives things a whole new perspective.
It certainly does, Marc! I’ll take a new baby any day, but it’s not quite the same thin as having a baby during Ordinary Time.
Children are such a joy! May Christ continue to bless your family Jared. May this season of hope and this final week of Advent give each of us hearts that welcome children into the wonder of this life!
Thank you so much, William, and the same to you and yours!
Congratulations! What a beautiful family!
Thanks Barb!
What a beautiful Christmas gift for you guys Jared! Congratulations brother.
I pray through the intercession of Our Lady of the Peaceful Slumber, that you and yours get some much needed SLEEP! God bless and Merry Christmas!
Thanks Roy, we hadn’t thought about asking for the intercession of Our Lady of Peaceful Slumber. She must be doing something…so far so good! Merry Christmas to you as well.
Congrats! What a wonderful Christmas present!!! 🙂
Thank you, it certainly was an amazingly timed gift!
Félicitions! Congratulations! May God bless your growing family.
Thanks Gilles!