I have been itching for weeks to sit and write, so many thoughts going on in my head this Christmas season, things I have never really thought about before. Then, life gets busy, especially this time of year. There are events to attend, gifts to purchase and wrap (ugh), cookies to make, sausage balls to make, cleaning, and you still have to go to work.....does the list ever really end? So writing gets pushed to the side (insert sad, frustrated face here). Still, I feel Papa drawing me to it, because after all, I am just a tool. These words would not make sense without Him translating my gobbly goo. But really, this is His perfect timing....what better time to translate for me all that I have in my head than Christmas morning? This Christmas season, more than any other before, has been so huge in my mind, I have been affected by songs and stories more than ever before. I have thought and pondered on things I have never thought much about before or ever. For example.....Oh Holy Night (Josh Groban style, of course) Chris Tomlin, He Shall Reign Forevermore - Lauren Daigle, Noel and Mary did you know?....sang by anyone, all have brought me to my knees and kept me in tears each time I have heard them this season. Really, I mean REALLY listen to the words of these songs, close your eyes, take in what God has done for you, for me. The story of amazing LOVE. Until this year, I had never considered so much about the shepherds. They were taking care of their sheep and they came to see Jesus in the manger. That was pretty much it. It is amazing, just amazing how God's word can be different to you at different times of your life, isn't it?!
I see the shepherds very different now. In that day, shepherds were the lowest of the low, it didn't get much lower on the food-chain than a shepherd. Still, God called them to be part of this, the most wonderful moment in the history of the world! I thought, if we had been in the world during this time, my family would likely be shepherds.
Luke 2: 9-11 And an Angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the Angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for ALL the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."
Great fear....how many of us have ever been filled with great fear? Can you even imagine what they were thinking at that moment? One does not think of fear when talking about an Angel, but I think it was such a great and magnificent sight, that all they could do was be filled with fear, since that isn't something you see everyday while herding your sheep, right?
The shepherds had great faith, they knew a Savior was coming, and now He is here and they had been chosen to go tell others about Him!! Oh to have faith like the shepherds!! The Wise Men....all my life, until last year, I never knew that they traveled so far (I guess the manger scene threw me off all these years) that it took them nearly 2 years to make the journey, to come and worship the Savior that they had heard would be coming to save the world. Two years!! I imagine their thoughts, the discussions they had along the path, how the excitement would build with each step they took, their hearts about to bust out of their chest as they approached and saw Jesus for the first time! Gracious! Oh to have faith like the wise men!! Mary.....how I have wondered about Mary.....did you know, Mary? Did you? How much did the Angel share with you when you were told you would give birth to the Savior of the world? Were you terrified and ready to run as fast as you could when the Angel appeared? Was Jesus a good baby? Did He have colic? Was Jesus a normal toddler, getting into mischief? Did He have a case of the terrible two's? Did you sit at His feet and learn from Him as so many others did? Did you travel with Him to many places? Did you know He would save us all? Did you know how He would be treated and how He would suffer on the Cross?
I would guess, in my pea brain thinking, that Mary did not know everything that Jesus would do and everything He would endure on our behalf. I do believe she had giant, enormous faith and she knew God had a great plan and she only needed to follow. When the shepherds arrived and told Mary and Joseph what the Angel had told them about Jesus, Luke 2:19 tells us....But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. Oh to have faith like Mary!! As you enjoy your loved ones and your loved food today, really, I mean really think about and soak in what today is really about. Jesus, the Light of the world. His name shall be called.... Wonderful Counselor Mighty God Everlasting Father Prince of Peace The story of amazing LOVE!
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