Christmas

As we are drawing nearer to the Christmas holiday, I finding myself strangely calm and quiet, yes, introspective! I am increasingly pulling back in my thoughts. I am less able to focus on creativity, home decor and twinkling lights — and inspiration is not springing forth to my blog. While I love all the festive homes, ideas and stories of holiday traditions, I’ve enjoyed each one so much, this week I find myself more in a contemplative mood. The story of Christ’s birth plays through my head and I am in awe of the miracle that took place and all the circumstances surrounding that event. I think about Mary and what she must’ve been feeling, giving birth that night. It is mentioned in the book of Luke that while so many things were happening to Mary, she “quietly treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I love that. The thought of “quietly treasuring things” in our hearts.

I think of the song, Mary Did You Know, and I imagine some of the things she was thinking about. I am sure she was weighing the magnitude of her circumstance, the blessing and responsibility God himself had bestowed on her. She was treasuring in her heart what was taking place and pondering what was yet to come. As a mom myself, who has cradled an infant son in her arms, I feel a wave of emotion rush over me as I think about her thoughts that night.

Mary Did You Know written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered,
will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know,
that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you’ve kissed the face of God.

The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?

Did you know,
that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding, is the great I AM.

Every time I hear that song or think of the Christmas story, I imagine Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms, stroking his head, kissing his cheeks, holding him close, and treasuring it all in her heart. Such a simple picture but one that really touches me. A tiny baby, born in a humble stable, and an event that changed the world. I need nothing more than to slow down and treasure these things in my heart. I am content to do just that.

I wish you all a Merry Christmas!