The Birth of Jesus: Luke 2
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.”
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.
Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
As Christmas is fast approaching, I can't help but think about the Christmas story- the reason that we celebrate Christmas. I have read this story many times before, but this year- this year I have pondered on it time and time again. Not only the story itself, but particularly Mary.
Brooks is 10 weeks old today, and I never understood what people were talking about when they said "you will never know a mother's love until you become a mother yourself." Two and a half months ago, and every day since, I have begun to understand more and more what this phrase means. I am so in love with my sweet son in a way I never imagined I could be. Besides my relationship with Jesus and Jason, he is the best thing that ever happened to me- to us as a family of 3! For those who don't know our story, Jason and I had been married for almost 2 1/2 years before we started trying to have a baby. We tried for 13 months to get pregnant. When the year mark hit, we started questioning if we would ever be able to have our own children, or if we were supposed to adopt first. We were both, of course, discouraged and down for several months with the thought that the Lord might not allow us to have biological children. We prayed and prayed, and we asked God to take that pain from us- to make us content with our situation- whether we got pregnant or not. We went to the doctor in late January and they told me we would need to go see an infertility specialist to begin that journey. We went home knowing that infertility was not for us. We cancelled our appointment that was on February 14, trusting that the Lord would hear and answer our prayers. And we got to a place where even if He didn't, we would be satisfied and content and still trust Him. We found out the first week in March that we were pregnant! What we didn't know was that we were pregnant the whole time we were supposed to be going through the infertility appointments.
Mary wasn't married yet. Joseph and Mary hadn't been together at all. They weren't trying to have a baby. That was not even on their minds at that point. I know the excitement, anxiety, fear, and every other emotion you feel when you are pregnant for 9 months- but I wanted to have a child. I knew those feelings would come. Mary didn't. What a scary and lonely place to be knowing you are shunned and talked about every time you are seen in public- being pregnant and not married. I wonder what thoughts went through Mary's mind from day to day. She must have been excited, especially to know He would be the savior of the world, the King of Kings! What an honor to carry the Christ child. She probably never understood why God would choose her. I know she probably thought about a lot of things- verse 19 says " But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." I can't imagine what she was thinking, but I know from experience her heart was full- full of love! She treasured the time. Maybe God chose them because He knew he could trust Joseph and Mary to do what He asked- to bring His son into the world- and they would do it humbly and willingly. I don't know. I don't know why God chose Mary, but I do know one thing. She loved that baby boy more than anything in the world. The love that a mother has for her child- especially her firstborn- is something that can't be explained. I know how she felt. I love that in a small way I can relate with Mary- having a child, a baby boy, and her firstborn.
Brooks was a gift to us. Jason and I pray for Brooks every day- that he would be strong and courageous in his faith, that he would come to know the Lord at a young age, that he would be pure and innocent, that he would grow strong and healthy, and that he would change the world for the kingdom! We presented him to the Lord- even though I birthed him, he is the Lord's! Mary and Joseph did the same thing- verse 22 says "Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord."
When he was born, I wanted to cherish every single second I could. I came home from the hospital and all I could do was hold him and kiss him and cuddle with him. I didn't want a second to pass by and me not cherish it. Even when people would be in and out of our house, coming to visit and bringing us meals, my attention was on Brooks- trying not to let the time fly by, even though it did. I didn't want to miss a single second by being distracted with food or guests. What if we are the same way with Jesus this season? This Christmas, through the hustle and bustle, stay focused on the meaning of Christmas, which is Jesus.
This Christmas when Jason reads the Christmas story for the first time to our family of 3, I will think about Mary's perspecitve a little differently- maybe because I can relate with her as a mother. What joy Jesus brought to Mary as a son. We can experience the joy that Jesus offers as well. Choose JOY! Choose Jesus. Let him take over your life. Merry Christmas!
