The night was cool, crisp and clear. Stars smiled and the waning crescent moon cast soft light through the barren trees that caused shadows to dance on the ground. We backed up to the fire to keep warm as we kept vigil, waiting for the new life to be born.
A stall had been prepared with clean dry straw. An occasional “moooo” was heard as the cow paced. Little hooves could already be seen emerging into the cool air. The mother lay down and her muscles tightened as she urged the little one on. She got up, paced some more, and soon a head with little ears began to wiggle. The process continued as she pushed a bit more. Another push and the calf dropped from its mother’s womb to the ground. I shivered, wondering if words could explain being taken from a mother’s warm womb and dropped into the world wet and cold.
the head and ears of the calf emerge 
mother licking off the birth fluids
Immediately the mother started licking and cleaning off the birth fluids from the new-born calf. We all watched in amazement as she continued licking the calf until it was shiny and clean. The inborn nature to survive was evident as the little one struggled to get up. After several attempts, the calf was up on all four wobbly legs.
The mother lowed softly, “maaa,” “maaaa,” as she gently licked her calf and nuzzled it toward her bulging ripe udders, encouraging it to latch on and nurse. It was important for the calf to get the first milk, the colostrum, to give it vital nutrition it needed and to bond with one another.
the calf is all clean 
having a snack after giving birth
We watched because of the fascination and miracle of birth, the miracle of life. It is the most commonplace of miracles, happening since the beginning of time. It is familiar yet phenomenal, timeless yet new. We also watched with apprehension because just days prior, the mother prolapsed and had to be stitched up. No one knew if the pressure of birth would make her prolapse again or if she and the baby would be in danger.
Though just one day old, born before the eve of the new year, the new-born calf is evidence of the gift of life, the hope of a new beginning. May your year be filled with new beginnings and the miracles life brings.