It's early on Christmas Eve morning (well, early for ME) and I'm up before everyone else. So I thought I would take some time to reflect on what happened on this day long, long ago to a woman named Mary. I'm sitting in a comfy chair, in front of the fireplace, facing a beautiful Christmas tree. I have running water for a shower later, and my child is sleeping in a crib with a mattress supporting his little head and body. Life is good and I am so blessed. Wonder if Mary was thinking the same thing on this day?
I'm sure she woke up early to "get on the road" with Joseph. Bundled herself up and loaded the car...umm...donkey, then braced herself for the long journey to Bethlehem. I wonder if she knew tonight would be the night that she would give birth. I bet she had an inclination. Imagine how miserable the journey had to be for her! Riding on a donkey for hours while you're 9 months pregnant! Who thinks about that? I know I never considered it! Then, imagine the panic, as a new mother-to-be, when you hear that there are no rooms left for you to rent in this small town. Again, I'm sure she had that nagging feeling that this was going to be the night. Oh, the stress! Only to find herself making a make-shift bed in a dirty barn with dirty animals and probably dirty hay for her precious, newborn baby boy. What mother would not cringe at the thought of that!? But, for some reason, I see sweet Mary, as calm as a cucumber, taking the wonder of it all in, and singing sweet praises to her new bundle of joy as the early morning light appears. He was the Son of Man, after all...and she knew that!
My wish this morning, is that I could sit down and have a cup of coffee with Mary on the Eve of her son's birth. What was it like to be the mother of Jesus? Was she, like me,tired all the time...chasing after him as he scooted across the floor to danger or holding his hands as he learned to walk (all the while feeling like her back was going to break)? Did she love being a "Mom" as much as I do? What did it look like to raise a son who was sinless? How did she survive watching her son being crucified on a cross? So many questions! I would love to have just an hour of her time this morning, for a little insight into her experience as a mother.
I feel blessed to see Christmas from a mother's perspective. It bring tears to my eyes to think that it all began with the birth of a baby that changed the world. What a glorious experience for Mary to watch her son change the lives of so many people around him.
As a foster mother and an adoptive mother, my heart longs to see the children that pass through my life make a difference in the lives of others. I pray that I can be a "Mary influence" on them, all the while allowing God to be in control, directing their lives and leading them down the path that he has chosen for them. I hope that in a couple of years, when my own son, Charley wakes up on Christmas Eve with the excitement of Santa's arrival, I can gently teach him the real meaning of Christmas. I want him to know that there was an arrival of a boy who gave us life...eternal life. That's better than any gift he will ever get from Santa.
May you and your family have a blessed Christmas, with the knowledge that Jesus was born to give us the most awesome gift we will ever receive. Thank you, Mary, for accepting the gift of Motherhood for this precious baby boy.
Love to ya,
Shell
