He sat across from us at dinner, wiping his eyes just a bit. The tears seemed to come easily, when they were least expected – except, by now, he’d come to expect them. When it came to his son, he was going to get emotional.
He’d just opened a little gift we’d brought for his son who was yet to be born: football jammies with the abbreviation “MVP” on the left chest. The new dad, my husband’s good friend, beamed with pride, and it was obvious that whether his little boy ever played a day of football in his life or not, he was always going to be his dad’s MVP.
Before we dug into our plates of delicious Mexican food, he showed us a video of his son’s first ultrasound. A tiny little gummy bear, with a very round belly, kicking and swinging for all he was worth. Even at the size of mere bean, this little boy wasn’t going to let anyone miss the truth of his humanity.
“At 8 weeks, this baby can kick and straighten his legs, and move his arms up and down.” Incredible 3D and 4D ultrasound photos and videos can be found here and here. (Photo credit: Life Dynamics)
The love of this father for his son reminded me of the love of other good fathers. My dad, who would sneak out of the bedroom so my mom could get a bit of extra sleep, and take baby me out to the couch to sleep on his chest. My brother, who swings with his tiny daughter, guitar in his arms, playing her a song and winning her heart. And of course, my husband…our children clamor and call for him all day long, and often, his name is the first word off their lips in the morning.
For Christians, the love of God Who came to our world to save His sinful, human children is the highlight of this holiday season. The unending love of a Father for His children, no matter what they do. It is a love that stretches, that comforts, that holds, and that weeps.
So as we celebrate Christmas this year, let us recognize and be grateful for the love of fathers. The love that makes tough men cry. The love that makes immature men responsible. The love that makes tired men stay awake through all hours of the night. The love that makes men choose life and fight for it.
And, for Christians, the love that caused the Savior of the world to come down among us as an unborn child – a child who grew, developed, and lived, in his mother’s womb, probably kicking and swinging just like our friend’s baby. And a child who was given the gift of love from two fathers – His Heavenly Father and his earthly one, too.
Editor’s Note: For any fathers who want to know how to save their child from abortion, please see this article. If you are a father looking for healing after an abortion, you can find help by calling the number listed here or by visiting Forgotten Fathers online.
