The Baby I Would Give the World to Hold

Elyse O'Kane offers a way to remain focused on what's truly important during the Advent season.

I love babies. I think it’s a trait I inherited from my mother. She would always remark to the mothers she’d meet on the street who were pushing their strollers about how beautiful their babies were. Because of my mother’s charming way with little ones, I, too, became attracted to their chubby cheeks and toothless grins. I also became an aunt for the first time when I was only eight years old. And there were many more nieces and nephews to follow: 18 to be exact.

I did lots of babysitting through my teen years and those kiddies and I had a great time together. Now they’re all grown and most have families of their own. I distinctly remember one summer at a family picnic where there were three great nieces and a great nephew who were all born within a couple of months of one another. They must have been 5 or 6 months old at the time of the picnic. The mothers laid those four babies on a large blanket for a photo. Afterwards I got down on that blanket myself to hold and cuddle them. I remember feeling such joy being with these adorable babies. They, too, now are all grown up. (Gosh I’m getting old!)

Last night when sleep would not come, my mind was filled with so many things. With Christmas coming I felt some anxiety about all that needed to be accomplished within a short period of time. And then I remembered another baby, a baby who brings me so much joy, a baby I would give the world to hold.

Some years ago, I gave a talk during Advent about a journey to Bethlehem. It was really about placing ourselves into the Scripture passage when the Christ Child was born. Each year, when I get worried about buying presents, about decorating, about baking, I remember that presentation. I had prayed about what to speak to the women who would be present, and images were given to me. I don’t really want to call it a vision, but it was something I saw in my mind’s eye. I would like to share it with you.

I saw myself just outside the stable in Bethlehem. I felt unsure about entering but I felt compelled to proceed. It was very dimly lit inside by candlelight and to my left I saw two adult figures, Mary and Joseph. My eyes met Mary’s and her smile welcomed me to draw nearer. I slowly walked towards them … and then I saw Him.

I immediately fell to my knees as I was overwhelmed by His presence. He was so small in the manger that was used to feed the animals, but He was beautiful. He took my breath away. Mary, seeing my joy over her newborn, lifted Him out of His makeshift bed, and placed Him in my arms. His heavenly scent wafted all over me. I pressed him close to my heart and wanted to tell Him everything about my life; my struggles, my disappointments, my family, my desires but I knew that He already knew everything about me.

He knew. He knew me before I was in my mother’s womb. This tiny baby knew me. All I could whisper was “I love You.” Everything that I had carried into that stable, my worries, my fears, my anxieties all melted away in an instant. I became drenched in His peace, joy and love. My heart was changed in those moments spent with this holy family. Gently I placed Him back in His mother’s arms.

And then the images ended.

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Recalling the journey to Bethlehem helps me to stay focused on what is truly important in this season. #catholicmom

Recalling this journey to Bethlehem helps me to stay focused on what is truly important in this season. It allows me to rest, to breathe, to rejoice because I know He loves me in spite of my many failures and weaknesses. I invite you to take a little journey, to make a little time to place yourself in the Gospel of Luke. What will you experience? Maybe you might even hear in the distance a choir of angels singing.

Truly all babies are miracles but this one is very special! Blessed Advent!

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About the author: Elyse O’Kane is a wife, married to John for 51 years, a mother to three sons, and a grandmother to seven beautiful grandchildren. She is also a Catholic songwriter who communicates her faith through music and the written word on her blog. While Elyse always enjoyed music and sang in her church choir and with different healing ministries in the Atlanta area, she was never formally trained. Her gift of songwriting came spontaneously to her one day after Mass. Elyse heard a beautiful melody within her heart along with the words of Mary’s Magnificat. Shortly after that, more melodies and lyrics were created and two CDs, With All My Heart and A Time to Heal, were recorded with all original compositions. Several songs have been published and Magnificat has been chosen as the theme song of the worldwide ministry of Magnificat. Elyse has appeared on Women of Grace on EWTN and her story has been published in Magnificat Proclaims. She is a speaker and loves to write. You can read her blog, purchase her CDs and even anonymously post your prayer intentions in the “Prayer Room” at ElyseOKaneMusic.com. Also, search for “Elyse O’Kane” on YouTube music to listen to her songs.