Our First Christmas

Glenni Lorick, Editor-in-Chief

An air of eager expectation surrounds us as we enter the Christmas season. At home, at work, at church….everywhere you go, you are probably putting up decorations and planning parties. It’s easy to get so busy this time of year that you lose sight of the real meaning of Christmas.

Come with me for a moment to Bethlehem as we peek into the humble stable where a young mother is nursing her newborn son. Despite the uncomfortable situation in which she has just given birth, notice the joy in her eyes as the baby Jesus feeds contentedly. Mary didn’t have her mother, aunt or sister nearby to help and encourage her; but perhaps Joseph was able to find a local woman to attend and help her. I wonder what it would have been like to be the Doula (labor assistant) or midwife at that most precious of all births.

Speaking of Doulas, in this December/January issue of Valley Babies, we are going to see just what they do. We’ll also learn how to help prevent SIDS, how to take care of baby’s teeth, and how to care for a healthy newborn. However, not every mother is blessed with a healthy baby; some babies do end up in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Jennifer Godwin has written a wonderful article about breastfeeding your NICU baby. Finally, if you’re still trying to get pregnant, you will appreciate Dr. Harper’s look at intrauterine insemination.

This special Christmas issue of Valley Babies also features an article on Generosity in the Valley. One of the most exciting gifts is coming to us from St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and Huntsville Hospital for Women and Children! Make sure you take time to learn about this wonderful option for Valley parents with very sick children.

If this is your first Christmas as an expectant mother take a moment to ponder how a poor Jewish girl felt 2000 years ago knowing that the baby moving restlessly inside of her was the Son of God. If you are sharing your first Christmas with your child, make sure you begin this year telling him the wonderful Christmas story. It’s never too soon to begin! My prayer for each of you, my readers, it that you would know the love, joy and peace of Emmanuel – God with us – this Christmas season.