December Reflection

Christmas 2003

                       

    It's already December 8th?? I feel like I haven't gotten the memo that Christmas is only 17 days away. It's been hard to get into the Christmas spirit this year. I love Christmas, but somehow I feel like it's still October and we are practicing for Christmas.
    This past weekend a friend and I took our girls shopping. It was a lot of fun and helped to get me into the holiday frame of mind. I have Christmas carols playing in the house all day, which is beautiful and  is something I enjoy. Yet somehow I am still a little empty. I think I need to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, the wonderful gift of Jesus. He was born to a very real mother, who loved him and raised him into a wonderful man. She watched him die on a cross, so that our sins would be forgiven. I am thankful to be a mother and to have two wonderful girls and a husband who make it worthwhile. I am thankful that Mary, obeyed God's wishes for her life and gave God control. I am thankful that Jesus died for our sins and I am thankful to live in a country where I don't have to fear writing this on my blog.  
   What I have taken from the Christmas story over the last few years is Mary's faith. She relinquished control of any plans she had for her life and gave God full control. She was to be unwed and pregnant, travel at 9 months pregnant on a donkey for three days and give birth in a barn. I would have a problem with all of that! Yet nowhere in the Bible is there a verse where Mary argues with God. She faced a lot of scrutiny, uncertainty and uncomfortablness and yet she never attempted to take back control. I am trying to let go and let God be in control, but that is easier said than done.

   I pray that this season the Christmas spirit will fill me and you fully and wholly. That we will be influenced by Mary's example and let God be in control of our lives. Most of all, that we will all know the blessing of Jesus's life on this Earth and the blessing of his death.