Christmas and Work: The Work of Bearing Children

There was a time when the phrase “women’s work” meant cooking and cleaning, and a family in which only the man earned an income was called “traditional.” Today many men have learned they are not allergic to housework, and women excel in professional roles that were once filled mainly, if not exclusively by men.

Still, there is one kind of work that only a woman can do. That is giving birth. Yes, husbands can support their wives in the birth process. But there is no question that when it comes to bearing children, this is work done by women. 

Though we tend to think of work primarily as that for which we are paid, from a biblical perspective, work includes far more than what we do for a living. In fact, the very first biblical imperative for human beings says we are to “be fruitful and increase in number” (Gen 1:28). Literally, the first work we are to do as humans created in God’s image is to make more humans. Women, of course, play an essential role in this process as those who carry unborn children and give birth to babies. So, in the Christmas story, Elizabeth was working when she gave birth to her son, John. And Mary was working while she carried Jesus in her womb and, in chapter 2, when she gave birth to him.

If we think of work from a biblical perspective, we will value the work of bearing and raising children far more than we sometimes do.. Even if we do not have children of our own, both men and women share with others the responsibility and privilege of helping children grow in stature, wisdom, and faith. We will also come to appreciate the immense value of work that is done without compensation. 

Today, no matter the work you will do, you are invited to glorify God through the work of helping children, and to offer it to him as worship.