As I sit here today on Christmas Eve, baking cleaning, preparing. Watching my two beautiful boys happily playing with all the presents they just opened. I am, of course thinking of "the reason for the season" as I say. The birth of our beautiful Savior, the one who will give His life for us.
But, this year is different. For some reason this year I am thinking as a mother and thinking of Mary.
Did Mary really know what she was getting into? As she lay there in the barn laboring, about to give birth to a Savior, how did she feel? Did she feel as I did when I was about to have my son? Excited and wild with anticipation? Or was she frightened? Frightened of what she was about to do.
When she delivered her beautiful son was she afraid to hold him? Knowing who He was and all of His power?
Did she ever imagine that when she held him close with all the explosive love of a mother what she would have to endure? Just the thought of what happened to Jesus throughout his life, is enough to make me cry. Cry for the mother that had to stand by and watch as her beloved son was ridiculed and tortured and ultimately died for all of us ungrateful people.
I can't help but selfishly think of what I would do? Remembering like it was yesterday, the first time I looked into my child's eyes, I cannot even imagine what she was feeling so many years ago. The ulitmate sacrifice, the gift of a mother's love.
I have a new perspective this Christmas. I now believe that Christmas is a celebration not only of the birth of Jesus Christ, but also a celebration of the birth of all children. A way to look lovingly at our own kids with the realization that they will never have to endure what Jesus endured for them. And to thank and praise Him every day that we, as parents will never have to endure the pain of sacrificing one of our children.
Lila is 8
9 years ago
