Thinking about Mary.....

On this Christmas Eve, while driving home from celebrating Christmas with my in-laws, I  looked back in the van and saw Jake's sweet, rosy cheeks.  He had been so cuddly all night, wanting to sit in my lap or lay his head on my shoulder.  The boys were all looking out the windows at the Christmas lights.  It was a pleasant drive home.

All of a sudden, the thought hit me - "and Mary pondered all these things in her heart".  Wow.

Mary was a young, inexperienced girl.  She had endured the joys and hardships associated with pregnancy in a far-from luxurious society.  She had just ridden on a donkey (think uncomfortable) for miles and days to travel to a land where they must register for taxes to a ruler they didn't honor or believe in.  She got there and there was no where for them to stay, no where to lay her weary body for even just a few moments.

They found solace and rest in a stable.  Surrounded by hay, animals, and untold sights and smells, she gave birth to this baby.  She had anticipated his arrival - after all, Gabriel himself had announced his conception!  She agonized through childbirth, without her mother, without nurses and doctors and anything to numb her pain.

I can only imagine how she felt, looking down at this perfect child, counting ten fingers and ten toes. Running her finger along the bridge of his nose and the curve of his sweet little cheek, she must have felt such peace, such contentment.  I know I remember feeling those things at the birth of each of my sons.  For a time, it was probably just her, Joseph and their sweet babe.

Then, she had to share him - with shepherds, with wise men, with people in the temple, back home, family and friends.

But for that night - THE Silent night - he was hers to admire and love.

What a reminder for us - to ponder these things in our hearts!

I am constantly reminded of how quickly my children are growing.  As much as I'd like to press a slow motion button, it won't work.  I see pictures of my oldest two when they were Jake's age and I am shocked at how quickly they have become "big kids".

I am challenged tonight to live in the moment more.  I want to take mental pictures (along with real ones) of how I felt, what they looked like, how they sounded, what expressions they had and how they interacted with one another and us.

What are you pondering this Christmas season?  I pray it is all the ways Christ has richly blessed you and your family.  I pray it is holding memories of loved ones near to your heart.  I pray you are waiting EXPECTANTLY for HIS return, just as Mary waited for his birth.

Merry Christmas!

New International Version from Bible Gateway.com (emphasis below is mine)

Luke 2 

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 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.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.