I’ve always been fascinated by the account of that first Christmas as it’s such an amazing and brilliant way for God to demonstrate His love for each of us.  Despite revealing Himself through events like a flood to wipe out almost all of mankind, flaming bushes that don’t burn, a parting of the Red Sea, survival in a lion’s den and many, many more examples, He knew that to ultimately get through to us, He’d have to show up in a way that we can all understand as we’ve all been there…simply as a baby. 

Of course, this baby just happens to be the Son of God.

And just like every one of us, this baby had a momma.  And since I’ve become a momma myself, it’s Mary that I so often find myself thinking of during this time of year.  I wonder if she struggled with the things that I do at times…And go ahead and admit it – have you ever wondered if Jesus had the terrible two’s?  And if she had to incorporate some sort of 2000 years ago-equivalent of time out to keep Him in line?  Or did she ever have to apologize to Him when she didn’t make the best parenting decisions?  Not too long ago at my Community Bible Study group I shared how I had to apologize to Gracie as she misunderstood me and it really made me feel like a failure as a mother.  The women there were such a blessing as they shared how so many of them had faced similar situations, and that though it’s hard to make mistakes, it’s also an opportunity to demonstrate honesty and forgiveness. 

I’m not a perfect mother, but I do have a perfect Savior.  And it’s leading my children to know Him as their own that makes all the difference – not keeping score of my ups and downs of motherhood.  And that brings us back to Mary…

So often we begin the Christmas story with that awesome night in Bethlehem, but my very favorite part happened before Mary was even showing.  Before the manger, before the star, before the shepherds and way before the wise men… Two women, Mary and her relative Elizabeth, were marveling over both of their pregnancies.  Elizabeth was thought to be too old to bear children, yet she was six months pregnant with John who God would use to help prepare the way for Jesus.  And Mary was still trying to comprehend what the angel of the Lord told her about the baby she would deliver herself.  You can read Luke 1 for the entire play-by-play, but I want you to read one particular sentence Elizabeth said to Mary:

 “Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished .”  Luke 1:45

And you know what?  That’s my prayer for you this Christmas.  That you will believe what the Lord has said to you through His Holy Word will be accomplished without hesitation.  That you will not just believe that there’s some life force out there who occasionally might zap himself into your life, but that there is a living, active God who loves you so much that He sent a tiny, helpless baby into this world to save your life for eternity.  You can’t buy that at the mall, you can’t order it on Amazon.com and you certainly can’t make it yourself no matter how crafty you are…

The perfect gift has already been given to you.  It is my prayer that you’ll unwrap it with the same trusting belief as Mary did two thousand years ago…taking God at His Word for a life blessed beyond what you could ever imagine.

Merry, merry Christmas!!

steph