IT MAY not have been in a stable in Bethlehem but the miracle of the Christmas story came to life when a clergyman delivered his own son.

Ben Lines, pastor of Kinmel Bay Church, - previously associate pastor - was enjoying just “another ordinary day” when his wife, Catrin, went into labour in the dining room.

Earlier in that afternoon, Ben, 29, and Catrin, 28 – who already have a one-year-old son, Gwilym – had discovered Catrin was 3cm to 4cm dilated during an appointment with the midwife.

Unconvinced that anything was moving quickly, the couple went to clean the church and went about their normal routine.

At about 6pm, as Catrin started to feel more uncomfortable, Gwilym was collected by his nain and taid and the midwife was called – the couple had planned a home birth.

Although Catrin’s contractions were coming on fast, they thought time was on their side as her waters had not broken. However, things suddenly ramped up much quicker than the expected.

Ben said: “Thankfully I had the presence of mind to go and fetch towels.

“At about 7.40pm, Catrin’s noises started to change and I knew that wasn’t good. I eventually looked and it was obvious that baby was well on its way and waiting for no-one.

“I was trying desperately to stay calm and remember what happened at the birth of our first child (Gwilym suffered from shoulder dystocia and required oxygen when he was born).

“The baby was born but Catrin’s waters still hadn’t broken, which meant the baby was still in the ‘sack’ but with the next contraction Catrin pushed, Eben was born.”

The midwives arrived soon after Eben was born.

Eben weighed 7lb 4oz on his arrival at 7.51pm on Thursday, December 14. He had been due to arrive on December 12.

“Those first gurgles were the sweetest sound I have ever heard,” Ben added.

“A baby is a special miracle anytime of the year but the nature of the birth did bring elements of the Christmas to life. Our home was a lot more comfortable and sterile than a stable but the thought of giving birth unaided and without pain relief is something we had never considered but something we have in common with Mary and Joseph.

“It was a surreal but wonderful experience to deliver our baby. There have been lots of jokes about me changing career but one delivery is more than enough. I couldn’t take that much emotion again but I wouldn’t change any bit of it.

"I have never prayed so desperately in all of my life. The whole process was fuelled by adrenaline."

The name Eben is of Hebrew origin and is a diminutive of Ebenezer which has been adopted by the Welsh.

Baby Eben Lines is said to be doing “fabulous” and Gwilym is already making attempts to get to know his new brother.

"It has taken him a while but Eben is the first one he asks to see in the morning," Ben said.

"Catrin is an absolute hero and we are thankful to God for the wonderful gift of new life."