January 2025
Dear Beloved Jack Jack!
I am writing this letter to tell you the story of one of the gifts that you received this past Christmas. You were not very alert when your mother opened it. She and your father knew exactly what it was. They knew that it was coming and that it has a very special meaning for me. They also know that I want it to have a special meaning for you. Next year, you will receive something that will go along with it and I hope that for the rest of your life, you will use both items as part of your Advent and Christmas display and that you will reflect upon what it meant and what it means for Christ to come to this world as Emmanuel—God with us.
The gift you received is a purple blanket, just big enough to wrap a baby in. It is big enough to bring warmth on a chilly evening or a cold morning. It is big enough to wrap around a baby that is held tight and snuggled in the arms of someone who loves them dearly. It is a perfect size, just for a baby—just for you, Jack Jack.
For the last 25 years or so, I have had a baby blanket knitted during the four weeks of Advent. I have always called it a silent sermon. There is no big explanation. There is no big fanfare. Just someone sitting in a rocking chair knitting a baby blanket during morning worship. It is knitted with purple yarn—the color of the season–to remind us that Advent is a time of waiting and a time of preparing for the birth of Emmanuel—God with us. We are preparing our hearts to receive this child. We are praying deeper as we prepare. We are reading the prophecies and the stories of Jesus’ birth. We are reflecting about what it means for God to come to us in the Christ child and to remain with us in love and mercy through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Advent is a holy time and the gift of this baby blanket, lovingly knitted during these Sundays is holy as well.
Here is the thing about this silent sermon, this act of waiting, preparation, and faith. We never know exactly who is to receive the blanket when we begin to knit it. This past year, we knew just after the beginning of Advent that a little boy, born very prematurely, would receive the blanket. In that blanket would be the prayers and love of a congregation for a little boy named Cal. And little Cal is doing well, growing stronger every day, despite a few setbacks. I know that the act of faith in knitting that blanket and the prayers that made their way into the yarn, as it grew week by week, will stand as a witness to what love and faith can do for all of us.
Your blanket was made in 2023. At first, we didn’t know that you would be the one to receive the blanket. Actually, even after Christmas, we didn’t know exactly who would receive the blanket. Your parents wanted a child, but there were some health challenges that kept a pregnancy from happening. I knew how much your parents wanted you. I knew that they were trying to make sure that every health challenge was taken care of. I knew that there were times when they didn’t know if they would ever be parents, and I knew how sad and discouraged they were. After the first week in Advent, I asked God and the knitters if it would be okay for the blanket to go to your parents as a sign of hope that you would come along. We were praying for your parents mostly, but also for a child.
At first, I didn’t say anything to your mom. You see, when she was still in school and living at home, she was always one of the knitters for the Advent blankets. She knew what the prayers meant. But one day, close to Christmas, she was very sad because she didn’t think her body would ever cooperate and she wanted a child so dearly. I knew what she felt and so in that moment I told her that the blanket for Advent 2023 was being knitted for a child yet conceived but so hoped for and so loved already.
Jack Jack, do you know what? Sometime during that Advent season, you were conceived and you were on your way to us. And since the day I found out you were coming to be with us, my life has been filled with gratitude so deep that I have never known that I could be so grateful. My life has been filled with a love that I never knew was possible and I keep asking God how I can share that love with others. Little Jack Jack, you inspire me so much. You are a gift to our family, but maybe more importantly, you are a gift to God’s world.
Emmanuel is my favorite name for Jesus. It means God-with-us and you probably know by now, I use it whenever I can. God-with-us, right beside us, not far away, not out of sight, but right with us. Often, I ponder why God would want to be with us, because we are not always loving and caring toward all of God’s children. And when I ponder that question, I am always reminded that it was and is because God loves us so much that God wanted to be with us. God wants us to feel this great gift of love that is so amazing and life-giving and wants us to share it. God wants us to be loving and forgiving and encouraging. God wants us to be peacemakers and offer support to people who experience struggles. God wants us to sing and dance and enjoy life and to invite others to be a part of the joy.
You know what Jack Jack? Sometimes it is difficult to celebrate life when other members of God’s family are struggling—when other children your age do not have enough to eat, or are not warm in the places they live, or can’t go to school, or are afraid. It is difficult to invite others to celebrate life when not all of God’s children have something to celebrate. Sometimes, the decisions that we humans make bring pain and anguish to other members of God’s family. God calls us to help whenever we can and God gives us all gifts to help. I can’t wait to discover what gifts God will give you.
Next year you will receive a wooden manger to put near your tree on Christmas Eve. It will be made by your Grandad. I want you to put your blanket in the manger every year of your life to remind you that there were those who loved your family and prayed for you before you were even conceived. I want you to think about what the birth of Emmanuel means to you and to this world. And I want you to know that whatever happens to you in this life, you are not alone. God is with you. Emmanuel.
With love and prayers,
Gramma
prayers of my heart, a collection of articles and writings by C. Alicia Randolph 