Ever since I became a mother, I look at Christmas differently. Don't misunderstand me, I have always celebrated Christ's birth. However, after having a child, it makes me think of things that I had never thought before. I'm not sure if that even makes sense or if this post will make sense at all. I am not a philosopher or theologian at all. Just a mom trying to express some thoughts.
A couple of years ago I participated in a Beth Moore bible study titled Jesus, The One and Only. One of the most vivid discussion memories I have is when we were talking about His birth and what Mary must have been thinking. As a mom have you ever wondered what kind of pregnancy she had? Was it easy or did she have complications? Was her labor hard? Did He arrive on schedule or was he late? This was a group of moms, so you can imagine what the discussion was like.
Then I think about the manger. When I was pregnant a few months ago, I was freaked out about our local hospital and if it was "good enough". Looking back, that is pretty ridiculous considering our Saviour was born in a dirty, stinky, stable amongst the animals. I don't think we can comprehend the conditions Jesus was born in. At least I can't. I have always imagined the quaint little mangers we see on display or the church pageants done with fresh hay and clean animals. In reality, it was nothing like that. It amazes me that God chose that humbling beginning for His son.
This morning I was driving back home, listening to Christmas music, and I started thinking about Mary again. Thinking of her cradling her newborn son and stroking his face, I wondered if she had any idea. Did she realize she what the future held for her son? Did she know that one day, her sweet precious baby boy would be nailed to a cross and crucified for our sins?
So many question race through my mind about that day in the manger.
However, there is one thing that I don't have to question. God's love. I know that God loves us like crazy. His word says that "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." That is amazing love!
2 comments:
Love your train of thought! I think about that too! Esp the part where she is holding him as a baby and what will happen 33 years later... I think of that sometimes when I hold my own kids... Love your new back ground!
What a blessing you are. I have often wondered what she felt kneeling at the foot of the cross seeing what horrible pain he was suffering. Did she know why he was on the cross? Was she angry that her son had to die such a tragic death because of our sins? I can only imagine what she was feeling.
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