What Child Is This?

Sometimes the story of Mary can be lost in the Christmas narrative. While it is true that the focus of Christmas should be on Christ, we shouldn’t forget Mary’s role in God’s plan.

How difficult it must has been for Mary to say the words, “I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38

Prior to Mary’s statement, an angel had appeared to Mary and announced, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." … “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." Luke 2:26-33

How frightening to have an angel appear and make the statement that your life will be changed forever. Certainly the neighbors would frown on the girl next door becoming pregnant regardless of the circumstances.

Most people are a familiar with the heralding angels singing praises to God for his first step in saving mankind from a fallen world. We read about it in Luke 2:15-19.

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Surely the shepherds shared the story of the angels’ appearance with Mary and Joseph and in fact Luke states Mary remembered and reflected on this event.

Each year the family traveled to the temple for the Feast of the Passover. One time Jesus stayed behind to learn & share knowledge about his heavenly Father. His family had left without him and not realized it. They had to go back to Jerusalem to retrieve him. We learn in Luke 2:51-52:

Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

When Mary looked upon this little baby, she knew he was to be used of God and that he would be given the throne of David. But for the short time he was a small child, Mary must have savored those moments with him as any new mother savors the time she has with her child.

Mary continued to collect and meditate on the words spoken to her by God through his angels and later on the various stages of Christ’s life. She would later on come to understand how God had provided a savior through her obedience to him.

Like Mary, I would encourage you to ponder the special circumstances and events of Christ’s life and the words of God and make that step towards making Christ a part of your life. Merry Christmas.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

The decorations are up and the gifts are at the base of the tree. If we’re not careful, we can let the preparation and hustle and bustle of the season over shadow the celebration of the birth of Christ. One of the ways I combat that overwhelming feeling is to sit by the tree during the quiet of late evening and reflect on the years of ornaments we’ve collected over the past 28 years. Each ornament has a special memory tied to it that marks a special occasion in our lives together.

One of this year’s ornaments is a Baby’s First Christmas, which we’ve purchased to mark the birth of our little grandson. The Lord continues to bless our grandson with good health, which in turn has blessed our whole family. Our little guy continues to amaze the doctors and nurses with the great progress he is making. We know that this is due to the rich blessings the Lord is bestowing on him. For those keeping score, our grandson has been moved to a small crib and he’s maintaining his body temperature on his own. They also have him in a room with a window so he’ll be able to get his body clock in sync with day and night. He’s also beginning to understand how to eat from a bottle as well. All these accomplishments are steps closer to him coming home to be with his parents. We’re so thankful for everything the Lord is doing for our grandson.

This time of year we also celebrate the birth of another child, born in adverse conditions. Instead of beginning born in a warm bright room, this child was born in a dark and damp stable. Instead of a crib, a manger was his bed. Although this little baby was born in the humblest of situations, he also had choirs of angels announcing his birth and important visitors from a far off country come and worship at his feet, bringing expensive gifts for him.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." Luke 2:8-15

Let this Christmas season be a time where you seek out this thing which the Lord told he shepherds about so long ago. This Christmas season seek out Christ and understand the beautiful gift he has for you.