Christmas is a wonderful time. It really is. There are so many thoughts of others with the gift buying and the pull back to religion refreshing. Of course Christmas is commercialized, but for me, I like that there is a special time to really focus on our faith.
I'll be honest, we don't do advent activities. It's not because I have some beef with them, I just haven't gotten into a pattern of doing anything with the kids for advent. Slacker. I'll improve in years to come. REgardless, this is a great time of year. We have our nativity out.
Most of our gifts are bought and wrapped. Plans for Christmas are in place... and we wait. :) We anticipate His birth.
I was thinking about Mary recently and really, the Christmas story was a great one. It's legendary.
But put yourself in her shoes. It sucked. No disrespect for God and his plan. None. But from a young newly married mother's erspective. Wow. That was a LOT to handle. Can you imagine. First you are young to be a mom by societies standards. Then there is drama, almost separation from your betrothed.
That smooths over, you get married and anticipate the birth of your Son. And at 9 months pregnant you have to travel... far. That in itself couldn't have been fun in the least. Travelling for who knows how long on the back of a donkey 9 months pregnant. No thanks.
THEN, holy Moses the baby is coming while you are on this trip. And there is no hotel space so you sleep with animals in a stable. Really?! I get that there wasn't the modern amenities that we are used to, but uh, animals? Labor?
If I was Mary I know I'd be pulling the "Really?!" and the "but WHY?." Obviously this is why she was chosen and not me. I'm veeeeery human and I wouldn't have been cool with a donkey ride and stable birth.
I'm sure Mary went through it all with grace, but can you imagine having thoughts like "Ok, I accepted being the mother of the son of God, but do I really have to give birth away from home and in a stable no less."?
God didn't make it easy on Mary and he obviously thought highly of her as she was chosen to bring our Savior into the world, but she still had hardships. Just like us. We act like marters and "whoa is me" but it's all part of our story and if life wasn't easy for Mary (the passion is a WHOLE other ball game) why should it be a cake-walk for us? See... there is a reason for suffering and trials. It's purifying us for Heaven.
As I type my trials are screaming while "playing" together... must break up the mayhem. And there goes a big crash... blessed.
2 comments:
I was JUST talking about this with a friend of mine the other day. The fact that there are days motherhood is "hard" for us, but it is NOTHING compared to what Mary went through.
And one of my "trials" threw an absolute toddler fit in Walgreen's today...
Such a good reminder, Susie! :) God picked Mary for a reason... for His plan for us to be fulfilled and His glory, but it didn't mean it was easy for her! Same thing for us, although decidedly less world-impacting as birthing/raising the Savior! ;) And all to think, she was probably AT LEAST ten years younger than us... to have the grace, humility, trust at that age... blows my mind when I struggle at 28 ;)
Loved this :)
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