Nativity Notes - Mary, Did You Know?
"Mary tilts her head down, staring into the face of her newborn son. She is tired - taking care of her baby by herself is exhausting. With no mother, sister or women friends to assist her or show her what to do, she has to rely on her husband to help her with newborn care. But her fatigue cannot quell the deep emotions she feels as she looks into his dark eyes. What a beautiful child he is - how perfect in every way! At least, that's how SHE sees him.
Mary is no different from me in that way. I remember the strong, overwhelming, indescribable, breathtaking feelings of love that came over me when I looked at my babies. ( I still get those feelings on occasion when I look at my grown children). But Mary is different from every mother in history in a way that none of us can fathom. She is the mother of the Son of God! An ANGEL appeared to her with the news of his conception - and that was just the first of many unbelievable moments in her life.
What was she thinking as she gazed at him? Did she realize that the Son of God would not have a "normal" life. Did she think he would have a better life? An easier life than she and Joseph had? Did she, like other Jews, long for a Messiah to rescue her people, a King to overthrow their enemies? Did she make the connection that the Son of God, HER son, was also her Savior? And that he was also God? What was THAT like? How did that knowledge impact her daily life? When she had to teach her little one not to touch the hot oven, did she wonder if he could keep himself from getting burned? When he wanted to do something dangerous, like little boys will do from time to time, was she afraid for him?
Maybe she prayed for him constantly, like I pray for my children. And maybe she prayed for herself, too. Prayed for guidance from the God who gave her this wonderful, miraculous and challenging life. Maybe she, like me and other mothers in the world, prayed for the ability to care for her child no matter what happened. Prayed for strength and courage and wisdom and stamina and PATIENCE!!
As I look at the figure of Mary in my Nativity, I have many questions about her thoughts as a mother. I won't know the answers this side of Heaven. But I will use what I do know about her as I begin this year of "worshipping fully, giving more, spending less and loving all". Worshipping fully includes obeying Him fully. Mary did that - she accepted and obeyed God's will for her life and even sang a song of praise! Singing a song of praise will be a challenge. But with God's help, maybe I can remember how that song goes...
Mary is no different from me in that way. I remember the strong, overwhelming, indescribable, breathtaking feelings of love that came over me when I looked at my babies. ( I still get those feelings on occasion when I look at my grown children). But Mary is different from every mother in history in a way that none of us can fathom. She is the mother of the Son of God! An ANGEL appeared to her with the news of his conception - and that was just the first of many unbelievable moments in her life.
What was she thinking as she gazed at him? Did she realize that the Son of God would not have a "normal" life. Did she think he would have a better life? An easier life than she and Joseph had? Did she, like other Jews, long for a Messiah to rescue her people, a King to overthrow their enemies? Did she make the connection that the Son of God, HER son, was also her Savior? And that he was also God? What was THAT like? How did that knowledge impact her daily life? When she had to teach her little one not to touch the hot oven, did she wonder if he could keep himself from getting burned? When he wanted to do something dangerous, like little boys will do from time to time, was she afraid for him?
Maybe she prayed for him constantly, like I pray for my children. And maybe she prayed for herself, too. Prayed for guidance from the God who gave her this wonderful, miraculous and challenging life. Maybe she, like me and other mothers in the world, prayed for the ability to care for her child no matter what happened. Prayed for strength and courage and wisdom and stamina and PATIENCE!!
As I look at the figure of Mary in my Nativity, I have many questions about her thoughts as a mother. I won't know the answers this side of Heaven. But I will use what I do know about her as I begin this year of "worshipping fully, giving more, spending less and loving all". Worshipping fully includes obeying Him fully. Mary did that - she accepted and obeyed God's will for her life and even sang a song of praise! Singing a song of praise will be a challenge. But with God's help, maybe I can remember how that song goes...
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