There was this star in the east....and we followed....
we were greeted by cooing doves....
and a camel...
and as everyone sang "Angels we have heard on high"
we watched as Mary and Joseph made their way to a tiny little stable, because this guy was booked...
and the glory of the Lord shown 'round about us...
and we experienced a tiny bit of the wonder and the awe of that precious sacred night so long ago.
The story is one of such familiarity that it is hard to get past the "story" of it and really see it for what it is, which is the God of the universe hand picking the most lowly and humble beings; a woman, no, a young unwed girl, and he would ever so slowly lift her up and make her blessed among women; of all the human relationships he could have had, he started with the most sacred- the mother/child relationship. He chose to partake in humanity, not as a mighty king, or general, he chose to partake in humanity, first and foremost as an infant. Maybe, just maybe, the Most High wanted a mother, too. I think it says a lot about how he views mothers and motherhood, in world that says, it's not enough, it's not enough to care for children and wipe bottoms and faces, and spend hours with sick children, kiss booboos, fold laundry and the list goes on.... I believe through this story we can gather that Mary, as just a mom, was enough for God himself. I think it's beautiful.
And I love how it all started.
"...Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son....." Luke 1:30
It's not, you have found favor, here's a bonus check. Or, you have found favor, here's Ty and the gang to revamp your house. It's not even, you have found favor so you get to coast through the rest of your life.
No.
You have found favor, therefore your gift is a child. Gift equals child, child equals gift. Your gift is to become second to yourself, to spend the rest of your life giving, caring, loving, worrying, praying and pouring yourself into this other little person. Mary's gift, her reward for finding favor with God Almighty, was to become a mother.
I told you there would be a tangent....
Merry Christmas to all my readers, and go kiss your babies.
2 comments:
Very beautifully said! Every mother needs to read this piece who might be struggling with her "predicament" and realize she has been blessed. Your children are blessed to have you as a mom! you see the eternal value of a child beyond the mundane day to day routine.
Kendall, I fully endorse what your mom says above. Thank you for expressing these truths so eloquently! Hope you all have a Merry, Memorable, Blessed Christmas! Love,
Stephanie
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