This little treasure hangs in the bathroom at my midwives' office. (No, I'm not expecting. Let's just get that doubt out of the way...) I took a picture because I love it and I hate it. How's that for ambivalent?
On the one hand I appreciate that it's clever, cutesy, humorous, and perfect for this season. It highlights women's gifts. Many women in my life have been one of these wise women - bringing service, order, help, and peace. And how prefect that it's in the office of my wonderful midwives who arrived on time and assisted in bringing my beautiful babies into the world.
However, I hear such arrogance in these words.
If women had been there to do what men ended up doing, it would have been better all around. There is already a rivalry in so many hearts between men and women, why must we use the beautiful birth story of the Prince of Peace to subtly cultivate strife? I for one am at fault for comparing the way men and women do things; I don't need anyone else to stir the pot. Yes, there are many things women do well, arguably even better than men. But men do many tasks better than I could also!
Men and women are different and approach problems differently. I'm learning from my Jared (and hopefully he's learning from me) that we can both solve a problem, even if we go about it differently. And there's nothing wrong with that. That's the beauty of a united marriage. When a man's gifts unite with a woman's gifts, we are ONE, WHOLE, and together possess all the good gifts of Christ.
Coming back to Christ's birth, three "wise" men were sent to welcome the child and they brought gifts. According to
this short explanation, the gifts were both practical to the family and deeply symbolic to the child's role as Savior. Who's to say the chain of events with these three men did not happen exactly as it was meant to occur? I love the details, symbols, and humble circumstances surrounding my Lord's birth. Why, with this derisive plaque, cast a shadow on it, suggest it could have been better if men were not the ones trusted to care for things?
Chances are I'm being too analytic; a kill-joy. I often am. I thank my dad for that. He used to point out the false doctrine and misleading teachings in Disney movies when we were kids. A bit much? Maybe, but I'm grateful to be able to look deeper and think for myself what is being taught - overt or subtle.
I digress. Very tangential of me. My apology.
I thank God for the birth of His son, the records of the people who knew the details first-hand, and for the believing magi, shepherds, heaven and nature who knew the significance of this tiny baby. I would rather arrive to worship Him two years late than never at all. I would rather be grateful for the three wise men then discredit their contribution. And I would rather celebrate the differences between men and women then show that my way would have been better. Because there is no better way than God's way. And this is how He brought His Son into the world. Can't argue with that, if you ask me.
