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Mary’s Christmas Part III
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“And they came in haste and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger……..But Mary treasured up all these things, and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2: 16 & 19 (NASB)
Just a little over 2000 years ago a baby was born. Since we do not know the actual date and for traditions' sake, we will use December 25 as the date of His arrival. It is my prayer that over the last several weeks, we have done some serious thinking, and perhaps re-thinking about Christmas. As I am slowly learning, one is never to old to readjust one’s mindset.
By today’s date, we have pondered all of the accoutrements of a modern day Christmas. However, Mary’s Christmas was much different from ours. The night Jesus was born was no different from any other night of her day. No one was hanging stockings or decorating trees. There were no lights on the houses (no electricity either) and no one was singing “Silent Night”. Perhaps it was not a silent night, with people coming into Bethlehem for the census and babies being born. Yet, there was one thing familiar to us back then. It was the nativity scene.
Now I could expound on what brought this up for years, but we have only moments. I looked up the definition of nativity in my trusty Webster’s Ninth Collegiate Dictionary. It simply means “the process and circumstances” of birth. Wow, that means we all have been part of a living nativity! Why? Because we all have been born. There was a process and circumstances surrounding each of our births.
Jesus’ birth had a process and circumstances as well. The process of His birth is the same process by which women deliver today, not counting a few technological advances. Basically it boils down to baby in and baby out! Of course, Mary was minus the epidural. Yet, she delivered a flesh and blood baby from her flesh and blood womb. There isn’t a mother around who can’t relate on some level. Bottom line, the process of emotions, labor and delivery are suspiciously the same.
Now the circumstances of Christ’s birth – that is a different story. Since the time of Adam “knowing” Eve, conception takes place generally one way. Not so, with Mary, her conception was divinely unique. Never before or since has anything like that occurred. The parental arrangements for this blessed event were sanctified by holy intervention that again was unique in its kind.
Our earthly circumstances will vary from person to person although many are very similar. Nevertheless, this was a one-of-a-kind nativity that night in Bethlehem. Mary never knew that her delivery room would be captured for posterity as the centerpiece of Christian Christmas décor.
Fortunately for us, the story does not end in the manger or even on the cross. The story continues and the last chapter, although written long ago, has yet to pass. This year – as you gaze upon whatever fashion of nativity scene you display – ponder on Mary’s Christmas.
Do not let your thoughts simply treasure the fact that Christ was born and where, but reflect on exactly who Christ is and why he was born. Mary pondered these things in Luke 2:19 and again when Jesus was twelve years old in Luke 2:51. Wouldn’t you have loved to read her mind! On this side of heaven, it is not possible. However, we can read what the finger of History wrote – His-Story. May the center of Mary’s Christmas never fail to be the center of ours!
Peace on Earth and Glory to God in the Highest, forever and ever – Amen,
Barbara
Ministry Partner/Pocket Full of Change
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