Christmas

Christmas is just around the corner and I find myself processing this year’s advent season very differently.  I’m not sure if it’s because I put myself in Mary’s shoes of now understanding what it means to be pregnant/bear a child, I’m not sure if it’s because every advent church service I’ve gone to has left me in tears, I’m not sure if it’s just where I’m at in life – I’m just not sure.  But I AM sure that the Holy Spirit is continually at work in allowing me to see and feel things differently to be drawn closer to Jesus – and I’m so thankful for that!

I think of Mary being so young and scared and being told she would carry the son of Jesus.  And I think of her traveling on a donkey for 80 miles being 9 months pregnant.  I don’t think I could even do that now!  I just admire her courage, her faith, and even facing her fear trusting God’s plan when it’s unclear.  I can relate to her perseverance.

And then I process Jesus just being a baby.  Our Savior growing up to rule the world and save us from our sins.  A dependent, innocent, helpless child born to save the world.

Last week I found myself really listening to the words of Christmas carols I’ve sung my whole life.  “Away in a Manger.”  One verse goes like this:  “Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care…”  After just hearing the news of the many little children that were killed in the Connecticut shooting and also thinking of my unborn child, I suddenly became overwhelmed!  How many times have I sung that not truly letting the words resonate in my heart?  Jesus cares so much for us and we are always in His tender care – and even the children when we have no control over what their futures hold.  It’s such a blessed reminder!

I’m not sure how Christmas is affecting you this year.  For some it’s a very difficult season, for some it’s all about getting the best/biggest gift, for some it’s very lonely, and for some it creates a new sense of peace/joy.  My prayer is that you let God speak to you through it.  I know I have been majorly blessed this season by the different things God has used to tug at my heart.  And I know, by God’s grace, next year I will view it differently again, when we can hopefully watch our own child experience it for the very first time, and I (we) will relate to Mary and Joseph in a whole new way.

Blessings to each of you this holiday season!